A civilization is a complex culture in which large numbers of people live together. It has many features, including cities, government, religion, social structure, writing, and arts and architecture. Civilization can also be a concept used to refer to the accumulated achievements of human society, such as art, music, literature, science, technology, and industry. The word comes from the Latin civis, meaning “city.”
A key feature of civilization is a shift from a predominately nomadic lifestyle to a more settled life. Agricultural advances allowed people to grow crops and to live off the land. In addition, division of labor helped make possible the production of surplus food and other commodities. Trade increased as a result. These changes, plus a growing population led to the growth of villages into towns, which then became cities. Cities usually grew near rivers or bodies of water that provided water for farming and fishing, and which could be used as a source of water for drinking.
Early civilizations developed a system of law and order to protect people and property. In addition, they developed crafts and trade to produce goods for sale. This facilitated the spread of ideas and culture from one society to another.
These cultural and economic developments have characterized the rise of civilization throughout history. Most civilizations have been centered on the fertile crescent of Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, and China; some were empires that controlled much of the world’s territory.
In modern times, the term “civilization” often carries connotations of Western values and culture. However, it is becoming more common to apply the term to non-Western cultures that have advanced in their own way. For example, some scholars have applied the term to ancient India and its Hindu or Muslim culture that has made enormous contributions in areas such as science, medicine, arts, and philosophy. Others criticize the use of the term for its racial or cultural bias, and argue that it has been used to justify colonialism and imperialism.
Despite these criticisms, the term civilization continues to be widely used. Some experts suggest that the concept is an evolutionary one, with each new development adding to the next in a chainlike pattern. For example, the invention of agriculture added the ability to store food, which fueled other technological innovations such as pottery for storage, plows, and irrigation.
According to this view, the emergence of civilization was a necessary step for humans to advance as a species. While some people may feel that civilization has been an epoch of great wealth, progress, and achievement, others have argued that it has been a destructive force on the environment and humanity itself. For example, some experts have criticized the need for civilization to expand into other parts of the world in order to meet its needs for resources. Others have criticized its hierarchical structure and the exploitation of native peoples.