1. Government and Leaders
1.1. Sumerians
1.1.1. Priests held a high status and originally ruled the city-states.
1.1.2. As city-states battled, war chiefs became kings.
1.1.3. However, these kings served many of the same roles as priests.
1.1.4. In time, many city-states formed dynasties, where the government is ruled by a single family.
1.2. Shang/Zhou
1.2.1. Had a king and appointed governors
1.2.2. Governors ruled distant parts of the kingdom
1.2.3. Army was responsible for preventing rebellions
1.2.4. Shang dynasty lasted 600 years until 1100bc
2. Science and Technology
2.1. Sumerians
2.1.1. Sumerians were the first culture to develop writing. They used this to keep records and business accounts.
2.1.2. Developed a math system based on the number 60.
2.1.3. Used basic geometry, which was necessary for building elaborate structures.
2.1.4. Created the wheel, one of the greatest inventions of all time.
2.1.5. Learned to use bronze to make stronger tools and weapons.
2.2. Shang/Zhou
2.2.1. Created the catapult
2.2.2. Learned how to use iron
2.2.3. Able to build huge stable stuctures
2.2.4. Built roads and canals
3. Arts and Education
3.1. Sumerians
3.1.1. Architects used arches, ramps, and columns.
3.1.2. Sculptures with large, wide-open eyes, as well as small ivory statues.
3.1.3. Cylinder seals were used to create designs in clay and show ownership.
3.1.4. Used pictograph tablets to transmit and record information for future generations.
3.2. Shang/Zhou
3.2.1. Earliest form of writing was on orical bones
3.2.2. Created and collected bronze/jade pots
3.2.3. Created bronze jars to use for religious rituals
3.2.4. Began the use of chopsticks
4. Economy and Trade
4.1. Sumerians
4.1.1. Obtained many of the materials for buildings and art through trading.
4.1.2. Traded across Southwest Asia with woven textiles.
4.1.3. Sumer lacked many raw materials, including metal and wood.
4.1.4. Sumerian scribes kept business records of trades.
4.2. Shag/Zhou
4.2.1. Traded bronze and jade objects
4.2.2. Learned to use iron, became the backbone of the economy
4.2.3. Created one of the worlds first systems of money
4.2.4. Were very iscolated
4.2.5. Were very iscolated
5. Religion
5.1. Sumerians
5.1.1. Polytheism
5.1.2. Gods control all natural forces
5.1.3. Gods protect each city-state
5.1.4. Built ziggurats and temples
5.1.5. Human-like gods with immense power.
5.2. Shang/Zhou
5.2.1. Had Jade/bronze items buried in their tombs
5.2.2. Worshiped their ancestors
5.2.3. Would communicate with their ancestors through oracal bones
5.2.4. Started Confucianism and Daoism
6. Geography and Agriculture
6.1. Sumerians
6.1.1. Lived in the Fertile Crescent
6.1.2. Flat, swampy region well suited for farming
6.1.3. Little rainfall in this area; water levels heavily dependent on rainfall and snowmelt.
6.1.4. Over time, basins, canals, and dikes were built.
6.2. Shang/Zhou
6.2.1. Farmers were called upon to fight
6.2.2. Covered in hills, mountains, and rivers
6.2.3. Had two rivers, the Chang Jiang, and the Huang He.
6.2.4. Grew grains such as wheat and millet
7. Social Structure and Family
7.1. Sumerians
7.1.1. Distinct social hierarchy.
7.1.2. Kings, priests, principal agents at the highest.
7.1.3. Large landowners and wealthy merchants were second-class.
7.1.4. The next rank was the majority of Sumerians: artisans, farmers, and laborers.
7.1.5. The lowest were slaves.
7.2. Shang/Zhou
7.2.1. Had a court or a gathering of wealthy people
7.2.2. Wealthy citizens collected bronze and jade objects
7.2.3. Would attempt to communicate with their ancectors
7.2.4. Respected members of their family