1. Civilization Civilizations are characterized by formal states, writing, cities, monuments, job specialization and religion. Trading patterns and political territories. First civilizations were “river valley civilizations.” Basic tools, intellectual concepts, political ideologies. 3,500 BCE to 1000 BCE.

2. Tigris-Euphrates Civilization

3. Mesopotamia. Started from scratch. No one to imitate. Progressed mostly due to the Sumerians. Developed Cuneiform. Religion, city-states, king who ruled by divine authority. Babylonians ruled next. Hammurabi’s code.

4. Egyptian Civilization

5. Along the Nile River Valley. 3000 BCE. Benefited from trade with Mesopotamia. Centralized institutions. 2700 BCE, Egyptian pharaohs directed the building of pyramids, which were to function as their tombs. Slave labor.

6. Indus River Valley--India

7. Indus (India) Emerged along the Indus River by 2500 BCE. Supporting large cities such as Harappa and Mohenjo Daro. Trading contacts with Mesopotamia, distinct alphabet and artistic forms.

8. Huanghe (Yellow) Civilizaiton— China

9. Huangehe (China) Developed mostly in isolation, but did have some overland contact with India and the Middle East Organized state, carefully regulated irrigation (flooding), advanced technology and intellectual life by 2000 BCE.