Early Civilization Class Systems essays

Early Civilization Class Systems essays Throughout history and into the present we can see that class systems were both present, and necessary in major civilizations. The class systems uniqueness determined the role of the individual in each society. Class systems affected the political systems, economic systems, and social life of each culture. Ancient cultures displayed variations on the class theme. In India people were placed into classes at birth. In China all people followed the Jen system, which was not based on wealth alone. But we can see a common theme that runs through class systems that is used even today, power and money. The power that an individual created for himself or herself through money, fame or personal efficiency would place them in a class distinguished as High, Middle, or Low. High being the ones with the most power and low being with the least power. Also there were usually subdivisions within each class, which were either defined or muted in the civilizations. In reviewing and researching ancient cultures I have concluded that class systems maintained order and ensured success in ancient civilizations. The majority of ancient civilizations became and remained dependent on the definition or presence of classes in their societies. As Herbert J. Wuller describes the beginning of class systems, More specifically, the rise of civilization forced the social question that is still with us. By their great drainage and irrigation system the Sumerians were able to produce an increasing surplus of material wealth. The question is: Who was to possess and enjoy this wealth? The answer in Sumer was an invariable one: Chiefly a privileged few. The god who in theory owned it all in fact required the services of priestly bailiffs, and before long these were doing more than their share in assisting him to enjoy it, at the expense of the many menials beneath them. Class divisions grew more pronounced in the divine household, as in the city at la...