1. Features of Civilization

2. 1) Developed Cities Main feature of a civilization
Political, economic, and cultural centers

3. 2) Organization and Government
Should meet the needs of the people
Powerful
Ruled by religious leaders, wealthy, or elders
Has specific duties
Gather taxes
Organize defenses

4. 3) Complex Religion Polytheistic (many gods) Monotheistic (one god)
Built temples, sacrificed animals, crops, and at times other humans
People worked as priests

5. 4) Job Specialization
Developed once people did not need to spend all of their time looking for food
Instead of doing many jobs “ok”, you do one job really well and do that for others
In turn, other people do the jobs that you may not be as good at

6. 5) Social Classes People become grouped in social classes
Social organization became more complex
Priests
Wealthy merchants
Artisans
Peasant farmers
Slaves

7. 6) Arts and Architecture
Expressed the beliefs and values of the society
Showed strength and power of the government
Sometimes meant to intimidate other groups or countries

8. 7) Public Works Projects that benefit the city
Irrigation systems (for water)
Roads
Bridges
Defensive walls

9. 8) Record Keeping and Writing
Began in temples with priests
Scribes- People who can read and write
Earliest writing made up of pictograms
Pictogram- Simple drawings that looked like the items they represented