Political Evolution

• The development of the early civilizations showed the political

evolution of society. A civilization develops because of a
society’s highly advanced level of culture, social organization,
political developments, judicial system, arts, and other forms
of culture at a particular time.
 Sumerian Civilization
•Developed along the
Tigris and Euphrates
River in West Asia.
 Indus Valley Civilization
•Started along the Indus
River Valley in India.
 Shang Civilization

•This civilization
developed near the
Huang Ho/ Huang He
River.
 Egyptian Civilization

•Started along the Nile

River.
What are the Characteristics of
these civilizations?
1. Developed and highly advanced cities

2. Well-Defined city centers

3. Complex and systematic institutions

4. Organized and centralized system of government

5. Formalized and complex form of religion

6. Job Specialization

7. Development of social classes

8. Implementation of large-scale public works and infrastructure like defense walls,

monuments, temples, mausoleums, government edifices, trading centers, and
markets.
9. Sophisticated and detailed forms of arts and architecture

10. Advanced Technology

11. System of writing and recording

Political Systems
• Civilization have a highly centralized and well organized form
of government whose leaders are powerful enough to order
the building of massive infrastructure and implement new
policies for citizens.

• The political system of the early civilizations had a clear

hierarchy of officials with specific functions and
responsibilities. They also had codified laws and rules that
were obeyed and followed by the people.
Political leaders of early civilizations
were also tasked to do the following:
1. Craft laws
2. Implement laws
3. Impose justice and punishment
4. Collect taxes
5. Sometimes act as religious leaders as well
 Social Sumer Egypt Indus Shang
Class Valley
Political Priests and Pharaoh Brahmin King Priest
leader and Royalty
highest
social class
Other social 1. Wealthy 1. Governm 1. Kshatriya Working
classes merchant ent s class
s Officials 2. Vaisyas (farmers,
2. Ordinary 2. Soldiers 3. Sudras craftsmen,
Workers 3. Scribes 4. Pariah soldiers).
4. Merchant
s
5. Craftsme
n
6. Peasants
7. Slaves