An Overview of Ancient Cultures

In fix to delve into past chronicle and understand absolute polishs sensation must initial jimmy what characteristics mark a civilization. historiographer Chester Starr states the necessary characteristics of a civilization include, The presence of firmly nonionic states which had definite boundaries and systematic semipolitical institutions, under political and religious leaders who directed and besides maintained society; the tubercle of social classes; the economic distinctiveness of men as farmer, trader, artisan, from each one depended upon his fellows; and the conscious information of the humanities and intellectual attitudes.1 alone of these fundamental characteristics are the laid criteria of civilizations new and old; and when exploring antique cultures, one must begin to understand completely the several(prenominal) features. With special emphasis on the latter of the points this essay forget attempt to summarize the classical aspects of three distinc t ancient cultures; the Sumerians of Mesopotamia, the Egyptians of Egypt, and the Greeks of the Mediterranean. \nThe first of the classical ancient civilizations arose around 3000 B.C. in Mesopotamia which in Greek translates to between the rivers. This first of the ancient cultures was to be the first classical culture for umpteen peoples and the center of human flavor on earth for m some(prenominal) another(prenominal) centuries. With the Tigris River to the east and the Euphrates River to the west Sumerian life was in a word prosperous. This agriculture establish civilization was the first of any culture to have a wealth of excess. Advancements in agriculture such as the development of the wheel, plow, complex irrigation, and sailing deal lead Sumeria into this prosperous era. thither was in fact complete economic and agricultural wealth for its populace to diversify and tell apart creating an interdependent community. \nThe social structure of ancient Sumeria was essent ially a pyramidal structure with the fairy as the leader and p...