Neolithic farmers settle villages in river valleys Flood waters deposit silt making soil fertile

1. CAUSES • Neolithic farmers settle villages in river valleys • Flood waters deposit silt making soil fertile • Water for irrigation • Mode of transportation • Attracts animals • Farmers produce surplus food • Populations of villages grow The Rise of the First Cities

2. The Rise of the First Cities EFFECTS • Organized governments developed to control floods, ensure a steady food supply, and protect the people. • Governments organized public works, such as irrigation projects and defensive walls. • Religions became more complex as priests conducted elaborate ceremonies in temples to ensure good harvests. • The power of government and religious beliefs were expressed through art & architecture, such as palaces and temples. • Writing systems were developed in order to keep records. • People began to specialize in certain jobs to accomplish all of the above (artisans, scribes, priests, government officials, etc.) • People were ranked into social classes depending on the job they performed • Government officials and priests = upper classes • Artisans, scribes and merchants = middle classes • Peasant farmers = lower class

3. These highly complex societies were the first civilizations. • In time, civilization spread as strong rulers conquered neighboring lands creating city-states and then the first empires. • Civilizations have experienced change as a result of the process of cultural diffusion.