To have a strong civilization, their should be seven characteristics. These are to have a stable food supply, a social structure, a government, a religious system, a highly developed culture, which should include arts, advances in technology, and a writing system. In the city-state of Sumer, many characteristics made up the civilization. Ancient Mesopotamians had a stable food supply, a social structure, a government, a religious system, a culture, technology advances, and a writing system.