CIVILIZATIONS• Civilization characteristics• Sumerians• Babylonians• Egyptians

Civilization Characteristics

Cities Well Organized Central Government Complex Religion (Religious Hierarchy) Job Specialization/Technology Social Classes Arts/Architecture Public Works Writing

Sumerians

Sumerians3300 BC- about 2000BC

City - Sumer Government - City-States/ Theocracy: one

single ruler per city- state. Each had own army and laws

Religion - Polytheistic, 1st organized religion, Ziggurats, Anu (Main God)

Jobs/Technology - Scribes, Carpenters, Traders, Weavers, Farmers

Social Classes – Kings Middle Class (priests and scribes) Lower Class (everyone else)

Sumerians

Arts/ Architecture - Ziggurats Public Works - Irrigation, Flood Control Writing - Cuneiform: ex. Epic of

Gilgamesh Technology - Irrigation, Sailboat

Babylonians

Babylonians2000 BC – around 400BC

City - Babylon Government - Absolute Monarchy,

Hammurabi’s code Religion - Polytheistic: Gods- Marduk,

Anu Job specialization - Officials, priests,

traders, craftsmen, clerks, and farmers Social Classes -

Upper: officials, priests, and traders Middle: artisans, clerks, and farmers Lower: slaves

Egypt

Egyptians3200 BC – present

City - Cairo, Alexandria, Memphis Government - Theocracy/ Absolute Monarch Religion - Polytheistic, Chief God: Amon Reh,

(after life), Osiris/Isis (daily life) Job Specialization - Scribes, Artisans,

Farmers, Gov. Officials, Merchants, Engineers, and Healers

Social Classes – Pharaoh/Royal family, Priests. Priestess, Nobles Merchants/Scribes/Artisans Peasants, and Slaves

Egyptians cont.

Arts/Architecture - Pyramids, Sphinx, other temples, paintings/carvings and statues

Public Works - Irrigation (Nile), Pyramids: Peasants were required to work a certain amount each year

Writing - Hieroglyphics, Literature Technology - Mummification,

Mathematics, Calendar, Irrigation, Medicine

Egyptians cont.