Characteristics of Civilization
Text Version

The drawing of the Roman Colosseum represents the following characteristics of civilizations:

1. The massive stone amphitheater shows culture through the architecture (a form of art), and a place where citizens would gather to watch gladiator games.
2. The structure was built in a large urban area and towers above surrounding streets.
3. The structure was commissioned by the Roman empire, a form of government.

Here is a painting of a farmer plowing a field in ancient Egypt.  Which characteristics of a civilization can you see?

The painting shows a man using a plow and ox to farm.  This is evidence of a specialized job in Egyptian society.

[Visual description: image of ancient paper and writings]
These written materials contain ideas about mathematics and astronomy from the Songhai ancient civilization in Africa. Which characteristics of a civilization do you see?

The paper shows evidence of a written language in Songhai. A written language is part of a greater culture.

These symbols were found on a stone tablet from the ancient Indus Valley civilization of India. Which characteristics of a civilization do you see?

The stone tablet shows evidence of a written language in the Indus Valley civilization,
which is part of a greater culture.

This is a painting of Qin Shi Huang, who may have been the first emperor (or leader) of a civilization in ancient China. Which characteristics of a civilization do you see?
The painting shows evidence of a government in ancient China.

Zeus, the god of the sky and ruler of Olympian gods in ancient Greek religion, is seen in this sculpture. Which characteristics of a civilization do you see?

The sculpture shows evidence of both culture in the form of a stone sculpture, and religion in the form of the worship of a god.

This illustration shows farmers storing maize (corn) in the ancient Aztec civilization in South America. Which characteristics of a civilization do you see?