1. Economy and Trade
1.1. Sumeria
1.1.1. acquired many materials for there buildings and art through trade. Because they didn't have a lot of materials
1.1.2. Traded with peoples from southwest Asia and beyond
1.1.3. They traded to get materials for making homes.
1.1.4. As trade enriched sumer A distinct social hierarchy. Kings, priests, and principle agents were at the top
1.2. Shang/Zhou
1.2.1. The slaves preformed all economic functions of society
1.2.2. Main income came from farming or the harvest of crops
1.2.3. There is little documented evidence about trade in ancient China until the late Zhou dynasty
1.2.4. trade routes existed between China and developed societies in India and the Near East
2. Social Structure and Family Life
2.1. Sumeria
2.1.1. Sumerians had a social ranking.
2.1.2. They were ranked in the following, kings, priests, and principal agents were on top then large land owners and wealthy merchants, then what made up most of Sumeria was the majority, artists, farmers, ect. and on bottom was the slaves.
2.1.3. Men had women had distant roles, men held political powers and made laws.
2.1.4. While women took care of home and the children, some got education or even became high up as priestesses in temples.
2.2. Shang/Zhou
2.2.1. Most people in Shang spent their time in the fields tending to crops, or being called to the army.
2.2.2. While most people were living that life, the Shang ruling Elite had time to go hunting as a sport.
2.2.3. Wealthy members also enjoyed collecting expensive objects made of bronze or jade.
2.2.4. While Shang lived that live, the Zhou, philosopher Confucius had believed that everyone should treat each other with respect, and love.
3. Geography and Agriculture
3.1. Sumeria
3.1.1. Southwest Asia, in the Mesopotamia in between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers lies the Sumerians first civilization.
3.1.2. Flat and swampy, this region was great for agriculture.
3.1.3. The two rivers often flooded leaving rich fertile mud called silt left, this was a main source in farming.
3.1.4. basins, canals, and dikes were made to control flooding, gather rain water, and more.
3.2. Shang/Zhou
3.2.1. China contained long rivers, fertile soil, temperate climates, and isolated valleys.
3.2.2. China was filled with great soil, some parts differ, because they can grow certain crops.
3.2.3. Floods brought rich nutrients into the soil
3.2.4. China's mountains provided protection from invading forces.
4. Science and Technology
4.1. Sumeria
4.1.1. Invented the wheel, made pottery, and build vehicles.
4.1.2. invented cuneiform writing
4.1.3. created a math system based on the number 60
4.1.4. they also learned to use geometry to make complicated structures
4.2. Shang/Zhou
4.2.1. made bronze weapons and tools
4.2.2. they used picture symbols as writings
4.2.3. could build giant structures such as tombs
4.2.4. created a precise calendar based on the phases of the moon
5. Government and Leaders
5.1. Sumerian
5.1.1. High priests were very high up in Sumerian society
5.1.2. War chiefs became kings
5.1.3. The kings preformed ceremonies for the gods
5.1.4. they eventually formed dynasties, or a series of rulers form the same family
5.2. Shang/Zhou
5.2.1. Strong monarchy
5.2.2. governors ruled districts
5.2.3. ruled by dynasties
5.2.4. the king controlled everything including the armies
6. Arts and Education
6.1. Sumerians
6.1.1. Sumerian architecture includes arches, ramps, and columns seen on the ziggurats.
6.1.2. Their sculptures included wide open eyes or made out of ivory.
6.1.3. Sumerian writing also known as cuneiform is done with sharp tools called styluses.
6.1.4. The Sumerians math is based on the number 60, they also learned geometry.
6.2. Shang/zhou
6.2.1. The earliest of Chinese writing can be recorded on the oracle bones.
6.2.2. Many of the bronze vessels or objects created by them were used mostly in rituals.
6.2.3. Zhou learned how to use iron to make weapons, it was also cheaper and quicker to make.
6.2.4. The inscriptions on bones or turtle shells could only be told as their education.
7. Religion
7.1. Sumeria
7.1.1. Practiced polytheism, the worship of many gods.
7.1.2. Believed each god protected each city-state.
7.1.3. They also believed gods had human traits, such as eating, drinking, falling in love, marrying, ect. But above all could send horrible floods or rich harvests.
7.1.4. To please the gods the Sumerians built temples and ziggurats and offered them food and drinks.
7.2. Shang/Zhou
7.2.1. The Shang left bronze and jade in old rulers tombs as a thought that they could enjoy their afterlife.
7.2.2. They also had ritual meals in which they ate the food but the steam was supposed to nourish the ancestors spirits.
7.2.3. But their religion was centered on ancestor worship, mostly asking for their advice with oracle bones, bits of animal bone or turtle shell.
7.2.4. Confucius and Daoism were philosophers the Zhou had that influenced later Chinese history.