Ancient Civilizations - Social Characteristics

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

Social structures existed thousands of years ago as they do today.

• How were people organized in society?
• Who was at the top of the social structure and who was at the bottom?
• Why did a hierarchy even exist?
• Were people peaceful?

In this lesson, you will explore the social characteristics of the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, and India.

Use the Graphic Organizer – Notes, found in the Downloadable Resources in the right-hand sidebar, to take notes on the social characteristics of ancient civilizations. You may want to divide the notes into four sections: Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, and India.

As you are reading and watching the videos pay close attention to the society or social structure of each of the civilizations. A suggested answer key can be found on Ancient Civilizations – Social Characteristics – Notes – Answer Key, also found in the Downloadable Resources.

First, read through the following resources.

• Egyptian Social Structure
• Shang Dynasty — China's First Recorded History
• Early Civilization in the Indus Valley

Then, watch the following videos.

After checking your Notes against the Answer Key, head on over to the Got It? section.