The 7 Characteristics of a Civilization Pretest 1

The 7 Characteristics of a Civilization

Pretest 1. What is a civilization? 2. What are the 7 characteristics of a civilization?

Pyramid of Maslow

What is a Civilization? A civilization is an advanced state of human society. There are 7 characteristics that define a civilization. • Stable food supply - Social structure • System of government - Religious system • Highly developed culture - Advances in technology • Written language Be careful to not associate civilization with civilized and everyone else as barbarians or primitives.

Stable Food Supply • Civilizations need a stable supply of food. Societies can only thrive with plenty of food. • Domesticating of animals and agriculture allowed civilizations to create a stable food supply. Why is this important? Agriculture/Domestication v Hunter/Gatherer

Social Structure • Civilizations have a complex organization, or social structure. This controlled through different jobs and social levels (or status). • Social pyramids example 1. Ruler 2. Landowners/priests/government officials 3. Common class (merchants, craftspeople, etc) 4. Slaves • What is the social structure pyramid?

System of Government • Civilizations need a well organized system of government to help direct people’s behavior and keep life orderly. • The government is in charge of enforcing laws, construction, leading the army, and distribution of food. • Every civilization has their own style of ruler -Kings -President -Pope -Pharaoh -Senate -Oligarchy How does the government help you?

Religious System • All civilizations need a religious system. This includes, set of beliefs, God(s), and place of worship. • As we progress through the year, we will see how religious views evolved over time. What is religion’s role in society today?

Highly Developed Culture • All civilizations must have a highly developed culture including the arts, like painting, architecture, and music. • Culture is a way to show what a civilization values (important to them). • What is a piece of culture that is present in our lives?

Advances in Technology • All civilizations create new forms of technology (tools or inventions). • These advances prove that a civilization not only developed, but also provided contribution to surrounding area and future generations. Remember Shutruk Nahunte What is an advance in technology for the US?

Written Language • All civilizations must have a highly developed written language. • The beginning of history means the beginning of writing. The first known language was cuneiform, created by the Sumerians • An example of writing can also be pictographs What would your life be without any writing? like

What is a Civilization? • Each of these steps is a valuable piece of a civilization. • Working in groups of 3, you will each have a poster for one of the key characters. – Must include: Characteristic Definition Big Picture that describes the characteristic

Activity • Complete the activity on ranking the characteristics of a civilization • Students will work in groups to create their own civilization