Changes

Perhaps not as frequently discussed, but with the rise of cities we also see the rise of social inequality.<ref>For a discussion on the material culture of the Uruk period and how it could represent social complexity and inequality see: Postgate, John Nicholas. 2004. ''Artefacts of Complexity: Tracking the Uruk in the Near East''. Reprinted. ''Iraq Archaeological Reports 5''. Cambridge: Univ. Press.</ref> In earlier periods, such as the Neolithic in the 6th millennium BC, we see much of the ancient Near East displaying small villages that had houses relatively equal in size to each other. In the fourth millennium BC, as cities began to rise, we now see very different types of structures. Large complexes that could be palaces or temples arouse in large urban areas, which are now far larger than typical houses. The art begins to depict what appears to be a strong man or leader figure that likely had different powers or what amounts to as king-like aspects, such as leading war campaigns or having the authority to rule.  This difference in architecture and depictions of kings indicates that increased wealth to cities did not benefit everyone equally but became more concentrated toward fewer individuals. This increasingly powerful class needed laborer to serve them. This drive for labor helped to motivate people to the growing urban centers, in addition to warfare and trade that also likely motivated a greater concentration of people in smaller spaces. This differential wealth and power, therefore, led to urban communities where social inequality becomes ingrained through the development of local religious authorities and dynasties that passed on the differences in wealth and power to succeeding generations. What this effectively did was setup a system where it was socially acceptable to pass power and wealth down hereditary lines, perpetuating greater inequality in future generations.<ref>For a discussion on perpetuating social inequality through inheritance see: D’Souza, V. 1981. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007F6SJVY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B007F6SJVY&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=7d8eb9554c0ebc898fec64f25e402b23 Inequality and Its Perpetuation: A Theory of Social Stratification]''. Manohar: New Delhi.</ref>