Five great civilizations
| Civilization | Known for |
|---|---|
| Mesopotamia | First cities, writing and written laws |
| Ancient Egypt | Pyramids, engineering, a 3,000-year state |
| Ancient Greece | Democracy, philosophy, geometry |
| Rome | Roads, aqueducts, law, a vast empire |
| Ancient China | Paper, the compass, a long-lasting state |
Each borrowed from and traded with its neighbors.
Why they rise and why they fall
Rise
- Reliable food from farming
- Strong institutions and laws
- Trade and new technology
Fall
- Overreach and costly wars
- Drought, disease or famine
- Divided leadership and debt
Durable dates
~2560 BCGreat Pyramid of Giza built
476 ADWestern Roman Empire falls
1453Eastern Roman Empire falls
~1177 BCBronze Age collapse
Collapse is usually a long decline, not a single day.
Sources: Smithsonian; Encyclopaedia Britannica
Remember
Civilizations last when food, institutions and trade stay strong, and fall when several stresses hit at once.
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Answer key
- Which civilization built the Great Pyramid of Giza?Ancient EgyptBuilt in Egypt around 2560 BC.
- When did the Western Roman Empire fall?476 ADTraditionally dated to 476 AD.
- Which civilization is famous for early democracy?Ancient GreeceAthens developed early democracy.
- Which is a common reason civilizations decline?Overreach, drought and divided leadershipSeveral stresses together often bring decline.
- What did ancient China give the world?Paper and the compassBoth came from China.