8 Features of Civilizations

As cities developed and expanded, the food supply and irrigation systems needed to be maintained. Groups, such as councils or religious leaders, began to oversee the business and existence of the cities.

People would conduct elaborate ceremonies to appease the gods (polytheism) and insure a bountiful harvest. Floods and droughts were blamed on the gods’ anger so rituals were conducted in the temples.

The government would order these, although costly, to aid and benefit the community. Such things as a wall to protect from attack or a canal to aid in irrigation would help insure the survival of a people.

This expressed the beliefs and values of a civilization. Different styles were developed and copied by societies. This was often used to impress visitors and people about the beauty and power of a king or a community.

The first civilizations developed

As civilizations became more complex, artisans and craftsmen were needed to maintain specific items and tasks. No longer could individuals do all the work. Now some concentrated on teaching, scribing, stonecutting, and so forth.

As jobs became specialized so did the status and needs of certain individuals. For example an educated religious leader was more respected than an unskilled worker.

Records were needed to keep accounts on trade goods and food storage. This was needed because the information became too great. In addition, one needed to express more complex ideas such as beliefs and social order.

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