The Rise of Civilizations

What is a civilization? Civilization is: the formation of a

highly complex and organized group of people.

A key in the development of a civilization is the creation of cities.

Features of Civilization There are 4 other features that are

part of a civilization: Cities and Government Jobs and Technology Social Classes and Religion Writing and Record Keeping

Cities and Government Cities- An area where

people come together and live to: improve farming Develop artistic and

technological skills Laws and government-

rules and organization that establish order in civilization.

Jobs and Technology Cities grow and

jobs must come to help meet the demands of the people.

Technology: Tools, Machines, Architecture and other skills that enhance life.

Social Class Social Class- Groups with different

levels of importance. Priests and Rulers Farmers and Merchants Slaves

Rulers and Priests

Farmers

Slaves

Social Classes

Rulers and Priests

Farmers and Merchants

Slaves

Religion and Government Religious and government leaders

are often the same. This system of government is called

a theocracy. Claims of power to rule coming from

the gods. People believe that there are gods of

life, death, marriage, and weather. People engage in activities in hopes

of pleasing the gods.

Writing and Record Keeping As cities grow, people need ways to

keep track of information Merchants create records to keep

track of purchases and sales. Rulers record laws and taxes Writing created in order to keep

records

Pictographs Developed 5,000

years ago to help people express ideas and communicate

Symbols are added later to represent ideas and objects.

Cuneiform Cuneiform is a

wedge-shaped script developed in 3300 B.C. by the Mesopotamians

Around 500 wedges make up the Sumerian Alphabet

The Fertile Crescent Stretches from Persian Gulf to

eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea

Includes two rivers: Tigris and Euphrates

Between these 2 rivers is the land of Mesopotamia

City States City-States are independent states

that include cities and their surrounding areas (3200 B.C.)

Sumer- 3500 B.C. Ur- 2500 B.C.

City States

The Nile Valley Home to the

Egyptian Civilization (3000 B.C.)

The consistent flooding of the Nile provides fertile soil for crops.

The Narmer Palette The Narmer Palette tells the legend

of King Menes uniting both the lower and upper Kingdoms of Egypt.

The legend explains the rising of Egypt’s first dynasty

A dynasty is a family of rulers.

The Indus River Valley

The Indus River Valley is located in modern Pakistan.

Sea Port, trading centers, and farming areas

Brick homes arranged in a grid-like pattern

The Huang He Valley Home of the Chinese Civilization. Farmers began raising pigs and growing

grains Huang He Valley as 6000 B.C. People live in walled cities or towns. Culture discovers how to create Bronze in

1700 B.C. (better tools, weapons, and other goods)

A king rules the Huang He Valley and is assisted by the upper class.