my work2
Early River Valley
Civilizations, 3500 B.C.–450 B.C.
Previewing Main Ideas
INTERACTION WITH ENVIRONMENT The earliest civilizations formed on fertile river plains. These lands faced challenges, such as seasonal flooding and a limited growing area.
Geography What rivers helped sustain the four river valley civilizations?
POWER AND AUTHORITY Projects such as irrigation systems required leadership and laws—the beginnings of organized government. In some societies, priests controlled the first governments. In others, military leaders and kings ruled.
Geography Look at the time line and the map. In which empire and river valley area was the first code of laws developed?
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Early civilizations developed bronze tools, the wheel, the sail, the plow, writing, and mathematics. These innovations spread through trade, wars, and the movement of peoples.
Geography Which river valley civilization was the most isolated? What
factors contributed to that isolation?
INTERNET RESOURCES
• Interactive Maps
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• Interactive Primary Sources
26
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• Research Links
• Maps
• Internet Activities
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• Primary Sources
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• Chapter Quiz
27
Why do communities need laws?
The harvest has failed and, like many others, you have little to eat. There are animals in the temple, but they are protected by law. Your cousin decides to steal one of the pigs to feed his family. You believe that laws should not be broken and try to persuade him not to steal the pig. But he steals the pig and is caught.
The law of the Babylonian Empire—Hammurabi’s Code—holds people responsible for their actions. Someone who steals from the temple must repay 30 times the cost of the stolen item. Because your cousin is unable to pay this fine, he is sentenced to death. You begin to wonder whether there are times when laws should be broken.
1 The Babylonian ruler
Hammurabi,
Civilizations, 3500 B.C.–450 B.C.
Previewing Main Ideas
INTERACTION WITH ENVIRONMENT The earliest civilizations formed on fertile river plains. These lands faced challenges, such as seasonal flooding and a limited growing area.
Geography What rivers helped sustain the four river valley civilizations?
POWER AND AUTHORITY Projects such as irrigation systems required leadership and laws—the beginnings of organized government. In some societies, priests controlled the first governments. In others, military leaders and kings ruled.
Geography Look at the time line and the map. In which empire and river valley area was the first code of laws developed?
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Early civilizations developed bronze tools, the wheel, the sail, the plow, writing, and mathematics. These innovations spread through trade, wars, and the movement of peoples.
Geography Which river valley civilization was the most isolated? What
factors contributed to that isolation?
INTERNET RESOURCES
• Interactive Maps
• Interactive Visuals
• Interactive Primary Sources
26
Go to classzone.com for:
• Research Links
• Maps
• Internet Activities
• Test Practice
• Primary Sources
• Current Events
• Chapter Quiz
27
Why do communities need laws?
The harvest has failed and, like many others, you have little to eat. There are animals in the temple, but they are protected by law. Your cousin decides to steal one of the pigs to feed his family. You believe that laws should not be broken and try to persuade him not to steal the pig. But he steals the pig and is caught.
The law of the Babylonian Empire—Hammurabi’s Code—holds people responsible for their actions. Someone who steals from the temple must repay 30 times the cost of the stolen item. Because your cousin is unable to pay this fine, he is sentenced to death. You begin to wonder whether there are times when laws should be broken.
1 The Babylonian ruler
Hammurabi,