Final answer:
Early centralized governments provided law and order, economic redistribution and employment, infrastructure and sanitation services, and indispensable public services such as education, garbage collection, and poor relief. These services were fundamental to the stability and prosperity of ancient cities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Centralized governments in early cities provided a variety of services that facilitated the management and welfare of the societies they governed. One of the primary functions was the establishment of law and order, which included creating laws, setting up courts, and enforcing those laws through judges, clerks, lawyers, and police. This system was critical to resolve disputes over ownership, payments, debts, and compensation for damages.
Another service was the economic redistribution through temples and palaces, which collected agricultural goods as taxes and used them to fund artisans and merchants, ensuring the circulation of goods and employment. Additionally, the government provided education and garbage collection, which were seen as essential services for maintaining the urban environment. In times of need, they also extended poor relief, distributing free food within the city to the poorest classes, ensuring peace and stability.
Infrastructure development was another key area, with governments building and maintaining water wells, sewage systems, city facilities like parks and streetlights, and ensuring sanitation. Lastly, governments provided public services such as transportation, mail service, and health care, which were funded by citizens' taxes and contributed to a thriving, well-functioning society.