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Ancient Civilizations river - Coggle Diagram
Ancient Civilizations 
Mesopotamia
Location: In the text it said that ancient Mesopotamia is part of modern-day Iraq. Mesopotamia was also located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Also, according to the book, "much of the region is now hot desert, but many areas were much more fertile in antiquity."(Steele 6)
Writing: In the text the author said that Sumerians made the world's first writing system. At that time, "Uruk were using about 700 different symbols or pictographs." They used clay and a wedged stylus to write with, also called a cuneiform (Steele 12)
Architecture: In the book, ziggerauts represent a mountain stretching from earth to the heavens making them a massive platform that the Mesopotamians made from bricks. They served several purposes being used as royal tombs. In the text, "they were thought to be dwelling places for gods." (Steele 24)
Art: The text said that the mesopotamians would mold clay into pots. They also made beautiful necklaces made of gold and trinket shaped items on them, being believed to ward off evil spirits.The author stated, "the ivory carving from Nimrud is from about 2,800 years ago and the work of Phoenician craftwork." (Steele 28-29)
Religion: The author said, "the Sumerians worshiped many Gods and Goddesses," also known as polytheism. A few of these gods include Nanna, Enki, Ninhursag, and many others. They also believed in demons, ghosts, and spirits. (Steele 14)
Government: This book shows that Mesopotamian rulers were highly looked upon. The Mesopotamians rulers were called lords, governors, or kings. The text stated that, "Sumerian Kings claimed to rule by the will of god and therefore had to preform certain religions duties." (Steele 10)
Ancient Egypt
Location: In the text it said that 90% of Egypt's land was covered by desert, which was called the Red Land. When the Nile would flood, it would begin the year for the Egyptian farmer by bringing deposits of silt. When the waters lowered the famers went to work and "the result was usually a good summer harvest." (Hart 8)
Writing: The text says, "hieroglyphs were used on state monuments, temples, tombs, and religious papyri." The people of Egypt who were experts in writing are called scribes. The form of writing they used was called hieroglyphs, which were mixtures of pictures and symbols.(Hart 34)
Architecture: The text states that "the first pyramid was built as the burial place of King Djoser in c. 2650 BCE, by his gifted architecture Imhotep." This shows that the great rulers and higher people of importance got their own burials and pyramids for tombs. The pyramids were meant to be a place for the pharaohs and people being burrowed there. (Hart 20)
Art: The author states in the text "Egyptian jewelers has access to many semi precious stones from the deserts- orange-red carnelian, green feldspar, and mauve amethyst." The Egyptians loved jewelry and cherished them deeply. Also, most people who had the large, beautiful finery, were likely very high workers of importance. (Hart 56)
Religion: The author wrote that the Egyptians worshipped many different gods and goddesses, also known as polytheism. Of the many, they mainly worshipped the Sun god, who would be many different forms. Another thing the text stated is, that "the pharaoh Akhenaten saw the Sun god as a disk with rays ending in humans hands holding the sign of life to the royal family."(Hart 24)
Government: In the book, it proves that pharaohs were the highest in power, which is already widely known. They were highly appreciated, along with many scribes, and the other went as far as "when people approached the king, they often kissed the ground at his feet." The pharaohs were seen as gods and mighty to all, and scribes would also attend high meetings for their importance. (Hart 12)
Ancient China
Writing: In the text it says "the Shang kings used oracle bones to consult the ancestral spirits." People would read the cracks in order to discover answers to their questions. An ox bone or tortoiseshell was placed on a fire and scorched until it cracked. (Cotterell 11) :
Religion: In the text it says, "Confucius believed that family relationships should be based off of mutual respect." He encouraged ancestor worship because it bonded families deeper. The Chinese saw themselves and family greater, not only being the ones unborn, but the living and dead. (Cotterell 12)
Architecture/Technology: In the text it said "Chinese inventions were carried along the Silk Road to Europe." Paper, printing, gunpowder and boats were improved. More Chinese inventions that changed the world were silk, fireworks, umbrellas, and paper money. (Cotterell 22)
Government: The author stated "the first emperor used his subject's as slave labors to build the Great Wall." His ruling was harsh and no one was allowed to disagree with him. He built a large tomb for himself, guarded by the Terracotta Soldiers to be powerful in the afterlife. (Cotterell 16)
Commerce (Trading): The Silk Road was numbers of different routes for people in trade. The author states "large fortunes grew by exporting luxury goods such as silk, spices, tea, and porcelain." The Mongols removed most restraints from the merchants from taxes. (Cotterell 58)
Location: In the text it says "deserts mountain ranges cut off China from other cultures." The civil service set the first Han emperor up, and successful dynasties started to grow as they were governed and populated. Leaders such as Confucius help people be more family centered, later on bringing together social harmony. (Cotterell 6)
Art: In the text the author said "bronze, jade, silk, and porcelain were prized in Asia and Europe." Many of these were mass-produced, increasing the profit China made off the inventions. The artisans of China were thought of well and the scholars were thought of as family members. (Cotterell 56)
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