Chapter 2

• Seven major civilizations developed around the world
• Southern Mesopotamia - first written language
• Norte Chico differed from Mesopotamia and Egypt was mainly self-sufficient (only import was maize)
• Indus Valley planned cities standardized things, had architectural styles
• written script that remains undeciphered
• No palaces, kings, or warrior classes
• China - defined by the ideal of a centralized state 
• Ruler was 'son of heaven'
• Has remained cultural continuity into modern times
• 1st civilizations roots in agricultural revolution
• Developed from earlier, competing chiefdoms
• Creation of 1st civilizations quick 
• Urban
• Cities
• Political capitals
• Equality
• Craft specialization 
• Classes and hierarchies 
• Upper, commoners, slaves
• Gender
• Patriarchy gradually emerged in first civilizations
• Declining position of women product of growing social complexity 
• Restrict female sexual activities to ensure property stayed in family 
• Egypt vs Mesopotamia
• Both depended on rivers
• Nile (Egypt) was predictable with flooding, could be prepared
• Mesopotamia was unpredictable, with floods that were destructive
• States
• Central to civilization organization
• Served needs of upper class
• Used force
• Writing and accounting more common
• Defining elite status 
• Commoners join elite through literacy

It's interesting to see the similarities between social structure in in the first civilizations and the social structure in today's society.  Something that particularly stood out to me during this chapter was the fact patriarchy began developing and women's position began declining.  Today, we still are yet to have a female president in the United States and women are still having to fight for a spot in society, fighting to be heard.  When women do speak out for rights, we get shot down.  Its crazy and sad to think that this has been going on since such an early time and there is absolutely no reason for it.