- Egypt:
- Pharaoh at the top, considered divine
- Priests, administrators, and nobles
- Craftsmen, farmers, and laborers
- Mesopotamia:
- Kings and queens
- Priests, warriors, and wealthy landowners
- Farmers and laborers
- India:
- Caste system: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras
- Untouchables
- China:
- Emperor
- Scholar-officials
- Peasants and laborers
Economic Systems:
- Egypt:
- Agriculture based on Nile River flooding
- Government control of resources and trade
- Mesopotamia:
- Agriculture based on irrigation
- Trade with neighboring civilizations
- India:
- Agriculture based on monsoons
- Village-based economy with trade
- China:
- Agriculture based on Yellow River and Yangtze River
- Government control of economy and trade
Political Systems:
- Egypt:
- Pharaoh had absolute power
- Bureaucracy to administer the kingdom
- Mesopotamia:
- City-states with kings or councils
- Frequent warfare between city-states
- India:
- Kingdoms and empires
- Caste system played a role in politics
- China:
- Dynasties ruled with the Mandate of Heaven
- Bureaucratic government