Chapter 3 Learning Guide – The First Civilizations
Main Idea 1 – Early civilization began around a water source and was an effect of the
Agricultural Revolution.
1. cradle of civilization – Definition:
City-states in Sumer in southern Mesopotamia—gave rise to first written language
Significance: Birthplace of civilization
2. Briefly describe the early civilizations (Pages 86 – 91)
Egypt
Norte Chico
Indus River
China
Olmec
Unified states, famous for pyramids (monumental architecture to demonstrate
power) and pharaohs located in northeastern Africa, cities less prominent than
Sumer
Desert region in central coast of Peru, had many rivers, series of urban centers,
had large earthen mounds (monumental architecture), public structures
(demonstrated power of government)
Much larger than Mesopotamia, Egypt or Norte Chico, had planned cities,
common patterns of weights and measures, irrigated agriculture, written
language,--no palaces, temples, elaborate graves, kings, or warrior class—little
political hierarchy—some features continue like ritual bathing, sacred cow, ritual
burning, yoga positions
Very centralized state, first dynasty Xia, followed by Shang, Zhou—built lavish
tombs, buried thousands of victims, Son of Heaven/Mandate of Heaven—wrote on
oracle bones—had cultural continuity
Located in S. Mexico—agricultural economy—maize, beans, squash-began as
chiefdoms and developed ceremonial centers filled with temples, altars, pyramids,
tombs, also had colossal basalt heads (nice example of display of power of
emerging states)
3. Why did not all chiefdoms turn into a civilization? What makes turns chiefdom into a civilization?
Growing density of population produced more congested and competitive societies—where land
was limited especially—repeated warfare added
4. How was Norte Chico unique?
1. Cities were smaller, less economic specialization,--economy based on rich fishing
industry
2. Did not rest on grain-based agriculture
3. Did not develop pottery or writing—did have quipu—knotted cords that were an
alternative to writing
4. Lacked defensive walls, little warfare
4. Self-contained—did not seem to have much interaction with other cultures like
Sumeria and Egypt did (NO REGIONAL TRADE HERE LIKE IN AFRO-EURASIAN
CIVILIZATIONS)
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5. What caused the Indus River Valley to be abandoned?
Environmental impact—repeated irrigation, too much slat in soil, large-scale deforestation, soil erosion
6. Why were the Chinese dynasties different from other civilizations especially the Indus people?
Centralized state evident from beginning and distinctive political traditions in the mandate of heaven
(although Egypt also had centralized unified state and hierarchy political leader in dynasties also)
7. How were the Shang and Zhou Dynasties different from the Xia Dynasty?
Both greatly enlarged the Chinese state, erected lavish tombs, buried victims
8. What is the Mandate of Heaven?
Idea that monarch was a go-between heaven and earth and ruled with blessing of heaven as long
as he ruled with benevolence and maintained harmony—he was the Son of Heaven
9. Nubia – Definition: Area to South of Nile that was a separate civilization and engaged with Egypt
in trade
10. What does the author of the book mean when he says: “It is the search for “something else” that
has provoked such great debate among scholars.” (page 91 towards the bottom)
The idea that although some agricultural civilizations developed into a civilization, they all did not, so
there must be a reason why some did and some didn’t
11. What 3 things do ALL of the early civilizations have in common?
All were based on highly productive agricultural socities, all had various forms of irrigation, all had
pottery,--some had animal-drawn plows, metal-working, and often had ritual sacrifice
12. Describe the city of Uruk.
Wall 20 ft tall—population 50,000-center was a ziggurat topped with temples, other temples,
various craftspeople
13. Describe Mojenjo Daro and Harappa.
Large, 2-3 story homes, indoor plumbing, luxurious bathrooms, streets in grigs, sewage systems,
surrounded by 45 foot wall
14. Describe Teotihuacan.
Larger than Indian cities, many temples, 2 huge pyramids, stone carvings, small apartments, huge home
for the wealthy, many workshops
Main Idea 2: Early civilizations had social hierarchies that they used to control people and the
government.
1. In what way was social inequality expressed in the early civilizations? Describe an urban city at
this time. What purpose did cities serve? (at least 4 sentences)
Size of homes varied showing inequality in most civilizations. Cities were economic and religious centers.
Monumental architecture was in most cities.
2. Describe the roles of the social hierarchy.
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a. Monarchs in China – Had special clothes, banners, chariots, weapons, and ornaments
and each item meant something about where they were in the social hierarchy
b. Commoners in Mesopotamia – lower classes treated worse with harsher punishments
(Hammurabi’s code)
c. Farmers (in all early civilizations) – Consisted of most of population and paid taxes, rents,
required labor, and paid tribute
3.
Treatment of slaves
Roles of slaves
Males
For sale
Sometimes sacrificed
Helped maintain
irrigation canals and
build ziggurats
domestic servants
Females
For sale
Sometimes sacrificed
Put to work in largescale weaving
enterprises, domestic
servants
4. Patriarchy – Definition
Institution and values of male dominance
Significance:
Refers to gender relations after civilization perhaps with the onset of plow-based agriculture
5. In what ways have historians tried to explain the origins of patriarchy?
Plows, women pregnant more often than before, more child care, men less involved in home, could take
specialist roles and shape societies to their advantage
6. According to your book, how were women treated during the early civilizations?
Laws were written and codified to enforce the patriarchal family life, unquestioned authority of men, and
regulation of female sexuality—in Egypt they did have more opportunities
7. How were “respectable women” different from non “respectable women”
Elite women also dependent on husband—veiled women were respectable and under protection of one
man, nonrespectable women were forbidden to wear veils.
Main Idea 3: People did not overthrow the government or protest because each civilization was
held together by a King (or any ruler really) who controlled society by using ranked officials.
1. What was the purpose of the state? (4 reasons)
a. Served to protect privileges of upper class
b. Direct efforts to defend city
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c. Adjudicate conflict with people in cities
d. Organize irrigation
2. Read the excerpt on the bottom of page 99. What happens to the peasant who cannot pay his
tax in grain?
He is beaten and drowned in front of his family
3. Son of Heaven – Definition: Ancient Chinese kings
Significance: Performed rituals, sacrifices made to keep cosmos in balance
4. What did these early cultures use to justify the unequal power?
Religion/gods
5. Why was writing important to your status?
Regarded as gift of gods, seen as magical literacy defined elite status, also a way for commoners to join
literate
6.
Egypt
Mesopotamia
Environment and Culture
Predictable
Flooding
More protected
Cheerful, hopeful
Outlook
More sustainable crops
Unpredictable terrible flooding,
deforestation, vulnerable to
invasion
Violent unpredictable gods
Cities and States
Unified
Communication
Less urban
Separate city-states
Large cities
Interaction and exchange
Trade with Mesopotamia—
regional trade
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Extensive trade
Hebrews
Phoenicians