Characteristics of early civilization

1. Rise of Civilization
And on to Empire

2. I. Civilization
A. Approx. 5,000 yrs. Ago
B. Urban societies established foundations of civs.
1. Ag. Surplus
2. Specialization
3. Cities
4. Complex Institutions
a. Political bureaucracies
b. Armies
c. Religious & social hierarchies

3. 5. Long-distance trade relationships
6. Intensified economic exchange
a. Within & between civilizations
C. Competition for Resources
1. increased social stratification, specialization
& trade
2. increased complexity of gov’t, religion and
record keeping

4. D. Accumulation of Wealth =
1. Warfare between communities
2. New techs. of war & urban defense
E. Core/Foundational Civilizations developed
where ag. flourished.
Where were those foundational civilizations?
Use map to locate and shade with your group.

7. F. 1st States emerged in core civilizations
1. Mobilized surplus labor & resources over large areas
2. Most led by ruler with divine & military support.
3. More favorably situated states = greater power
more resources, food, population
4. example = Hittites’ iron ore and iron production

8. G. New weapons & modes of transportation create
advantages
1. Iron weapons = sharper, durable, practical
•Many uses - spear/arrow points, daggers, swords,
armor
2. Chariots & horseback riding
•greater speed & mobility for armies
•great advantage over stationary armies

9. II. New Religious Beliefs Develop
1. The Vedic Religion
•Developed in India
•Vedas = oldest scriptures of Hinduism
•Vedic Period evolves into Hindu religion

10. 2. Hebrew monotheism
•Developed in Middle East
•Based on 1 god, Covenant & Ten Commandments
•Influences later monotheistic faiths

11. 3. Zoroastrianism
•Developed in Persia
•Centered on creator god- Ahura Mazda
•Based on struggle between forces of good and evil.
Ahura Mazda- God of Truth, Good & Light

12. III. Trade Expands Throughout Pre-Classical Era
1. Expands from local to regional and transregional
2. Examples:
a. Regional = Between Egypt and Nubia
- Gold, ivory, skins to Egypt; bronze and oils to
Nubia
Where is Nubia? What
are some ways to describe
the relative location of
Nubia?

13. b. Transregional = Between Mesopotamia and Indus
Valley
- Gold, jade, cotton to Mesopotamia; silver, tin,
textiles, grains to India