A Definition of Civilization

There are several ways to define a civilization, but many scholars agree that when a society begins to form cities, it becomes a civilization. In fact, the word itself comes from the Latin civilis, meaning “of the city.” Most civilizations share several key elements.

A Surplus of Food

For most of prehistory people were hunter-gatherers. They had no permanent homes because they were continually in search of food. When people cannot rely on a steady supply of food, finding nourishment becomes their highest priority. Once a surplus is achieved, the community is no longer consumed by the struggle to survive and can finally focus on other goals.

A Division of Labor

When people specialize in one type of work, they tend to become more skilled at it through constant practice. People are also more likely to do work that brings them satisfaction. For specialization to occur, the members of a group must cooperate and depend on one another.

Organized Government and Religion

Large societies function best when people share common rules and expectations. Predictable behavior builds trust, making it easier to exchange goods and services. Organized governments unite people under a shared system of laws, while organized religions provide shared beliefs and traditions that help guide behavior in a society.

Writing

Writing allows people to keep records and communicate. It also makes it possible to send knowledge across time and distance. A written message can travel far and remain long after the writer is gone.

These elements may appear very different from one society to another, but civilizations around the world include most or all of these features. Over time, communities grew stronger as they produced enough food, developed specialized jobs, formed systems of government and religion, and created writing. When these features came together, small settlements were able to grow into the world’s first great civilizations.