A society that demonstrates high levels of technology, education, culture, and political and economic organization. Often associated with the development of large towns and cities, a centralized government, and organized trade. A civilization may also exhibit a high degree of social refinement, including such things as table manners and personal hygiene.
Civilization is a complex concept, and different scholars have come up with varying definitions. Some have used the term to refer only to a culture that is rich and sophisticated, while others have applied it to all societies that have ever developed cities. Still others have included in the definition a certain amount of cultural hierarchy, including such features as writing, art, religion, and law.
The development of a civilization typically begins in river valleys, which provide the flat area needed for agriculture. In addition, they often have the water and soil conditions that allow for the growth of crops that can support a growing population. Agriculture is usually considered to be the keystone of civilization, because it led to the growth of towns and cities, and new patterns of living.
Agriculture also led to the creation of specialized occupations, such as food production, crafts, and hunting. This, in turn, allowed the emergence of complex religions and a political structure that could manage the affairs of a city or larger civilization.
As civilizations grew and their populations became denser, it became necessary to develop some form of control to maintain order and keep people from fighting over resources or attacking one another. This led to the rise of the first governments. Governments organize people into military units and make laws to govern their citizens. They are also responsible for bringing in food and other necessary resources from outside their areas.
In the past, most of the people who studied ancient societies and wrote about them were Europeans with Christian or Roman Catholic beliefs. These people tended to apply the idea of civilization to the societies that they felt most resembled their own. They also tended to judge the cultures of non-Christian or Western countries as less advanced. Religious and racial prejudice often played a part in these judgments.
Today, it is generally accepted that most or all of the features that are often described as being characteristic of civilization can be found in some form among all humans. However, some societies are much more advanced than others in particular ways, such as the invention of writing or the development of cities. It is also important to remember that the development of a civilization is a process, not a fixed point in time. This makes the study of civilizations a fascinating and complicated endeavor. Nevertheless, a checklist of characteristics that distinguishes a civilization from other cultures is still a useful tool for teachers and students who want to understand the development of human history. Any list of the characteristics of a civilization, however, will reflect the judgment and bias of its authors.