Features of a Civilization Flashcards
Where did early cities emerge?
Early cities emerged near farming centers and river banks
What did cities serve as?
They served as centers of religion, government, and culture
What role does a centralized government play in the development of a civilization?
One role of governments is managing society’s resources so that people get what they need to survive.
What can a strong government do?
A strong government can form and train an army to defend a society from attack or to expand its borders
Who did rulers rely on?
Rulers came to rely on a large number of public officials who handled different duties
What was the most common profession in early civilizations, and how did they contribute to society?
Most people in early civilizations were farmers. They produced enough food to support many kinds of specialized workers, such as priests, rulers, soldiers, craftworkers, and others.
What did priests specialize in?
Priests specialized in religious activities.
What did rulers and soldiers specialize in?
Rulers and soldiers specialized in keeping order in a society and protecting it from outside threats.
What did skilled craftworkers specialize in?
Skilled craftworkers specialized in producing goods.
What did traders and merchants specialize in?
Traders and merchants specialized in buying and selling goods.
What are social classes?
Social classes are groups of people that occupy different ranks or levels in society.
Who was the highest social class made up of?
The highest social class was made up of priests and rulers who had the most power and wealth.
Who was the middle social class made up of?
The middle social class was made up of farmers, merchants, and skilled workers. Members of these classes varied in wealth and status.
Who was the lowest social class made up of?
The lowest social class was made up of slaves. Slaves were often prisoners captured in war or poor people who sold themselves to pay their debts.
What are public works?
