Final answer:
Early civilizations formalized social hierarchies resulting in inequality, with power concentrated among the wealthy. Specialization of labor and gender roles also contributed to these rigid hierarchies. The laws and government structures of these societies reflected and upheld the social class and gender disparities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The creation of rules and laws in early civilizations led to the formalization of social hierarchies between different groups, including men and women, and the wealthy and poor. This formalization resulted in significant social inequality, with a stratified society where power and wealth were concentrated among the few. These hierarchies were evident in the upper echelons of society, such as in politics, military leadership, and religion, and extended to rural producers, military conscripts, and slaves.
Early civilizations developed complex social structures due to an accumulation of wealth, which in turn led to political and religious power for some, and subservient roles for others. The abundant resources led to a division of labor and the rise of specialized classes, including the trading and religious elite. Furthermore, these societies often had rigid class systems, as seen in the social distinctions reflected in laws, such as Hammurabi's Code.
In addition to stratification between classes, a notable gender disparity emerged, with agricultural work predominately falling to men and domestic duties to women. This gendered division of labor impacted opportunities for leadership and responsibility in society. The government, as it grew in power and complexity, relied on the lower classes for taxes and forced labor, further entrenching the hierarchical structure of these early civilizations.