ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS

WORDS TO KNOW

Agriculture: the process of growing crops and farming

Mesoamerica: Southern part of North America

Empire: land controlled by one ruler or government

Civilization: culture with cities, a government, and many different jobs

ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS

There are 8 features of a civilization Cities Well-organized central governments Complex religions Job specifications Social classes Arts and architecture Public works writing

WHAT IS A CITY?

What is a city? Well established city with jobs, social

events, governments, and agriculture

WELL-ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT

Has some form of governing system In most ancient civilizations, priests and

nobles served as leaders and lived in large palaces

COMPLEX RELIGIONS

Believe in some form of a higher power Some civilizations believed in multiple

gods and would hold festivals in their honor

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

People have specific jobs within their city

Example: farmers, builders, religious leaders

SOCIAL CLASSES

Upper class – rich members of society (priests)

Middle class – work and earn their own money

Lower class – poor, work for the nobles and have to give them their earnings

ARTS AND ARCHITECTURE

Made artwork such as paintings, carvings, clay work

PUBLIC WORKS

Maintaining the civilizations Examples: digging canals, building

temples, palaces, monuments, tombs and pyramids

WRITING

Left evidence of a form of writing