The History of Civilization - Essay Example

Civilisation is described as the social process through, which a society achieves an advanced stage of development and organisation and is used to illustrate the state of the society at a particular time and place. Civilisation involves community development to acquire a new level of sophistication with distinct features and defining characteristics to mark the transition. A society bound to civilisation can be described a producing community with a thirst to improve itself by being an instrument of expansion. For a society to achieve civilisation, it has to hold common culture traditions, language and geographical local, these features bind the members to produce an elaborate social organisation. The early human communities were dependent on the nature for food as they were hunters and gatherers. The early settlements were sparse as compared to the new age due to numerous hunters present, and the game would not suffice. In addition, they would fish for their food along water bodies within their proximity. Their tools were of basic materials such as rocks and wood. They also acquired a language through which they would communicate, and developed the ability to use it in order to pass on what they had learnt. The early cultures were vulnerable to wild beasts and natural disasters, which may have developed enormous fear of the unknown forces of nature, these uncertainties of human life established religious beliefs and practices in an effort to preserve themselves from the unknown forces (The birth of civilisation 2). As the clock turned, the early man’s tools grew more complex and advance, and were more precise. These advancements lead to domestication of plants and animals, meaning that people could move to areas where these plants and animals did not naturally occur. The communities explored other areas such as valleys and riverbeds allowing their expansion and creating room for more advancement. The farmers also built dwellings that are more permanent in an effort to care for their crops from the planting season to harvesting. Along the riverbeds, pottery was acquired, illustrating the beginning of specialisation. Communities can be distinguished from each other owing to the level of social complexity and organisation, as well as their vast economic and cultural activities. For instance, the earliest of civilisations in Mesopotamia would use rivers for irrigation in the fields, which was not observed in other regions. This ensured sufficient food production for the community who would engage in other specialised activities such as creation of buildings, work of art, and practised skilled warfare. The rivers also provided an easy mode of transport to the society. With sufficient food, there was increased population in the area of settlement, which led to the emergence of cities and development of infrastructure. This necessitated social organisation and hence political structures were established and fortified by the skilled armies. Compared to other societies, civilisations bear a more complex political structure, which sees the ruling class control much of the surplus that constitutes their wealth. Trade was established as a means of obtaining goods that one lacked or needed. This allowed for specialisation in different areas of trade, and thus high quality goods would be exchanged. Specialisations played a vital role in the advancement of civilisation as one would search for new concepts and innovations of handling challenges facing their society. Civilisations share cultural traditions that define their beliefs, habits, values, and behaviour. Members participate in their cultural practices as a way to show support in their beliefs and the way of life. Religious in early civilisation was more organised and profound, with immense respect and sacrifices offered to the gods. Role of cities A city describes a pivotal town whose inhabitants are brought together by their common cultures and beliefs. Cities during early civilizations were used as centers for a vast number of roles depending on the city’s location. These cities would be located in areas with efficient food production and space for expansion. Among the roles played by these cities, include administration, economic and religious centers. Cities for the purpose of administration were used to fortify political power for effective governance. This was achieved by ensuring that the city’s location strategically placed to represent authority and exert dominance. The cities would also hold enormous armies in order to enforce law and order, as well as offering protection against enemies. Protection was offered to small villages surrounding the city, and in return, the villages would provide food to it. A critical and political role was played by such cities where they were fortresses during times of war. The cities would bear elaborate boundary walls providing bunkers and protection. Such cities were often located on defensible hilltops surrounded by walls and ditches to offer an advantage during invasions. Cities emerged because of economic institutions established among inhabitants. In some cities and towns large-scale craft industries were established, which were filled with manufacturing activities. For instance, Colha (Mayan town) was a center for stone tool production; other goods include jewelry, ceramic vessels, among others (Smith 14). Traders and travelers would converge here, indulge in trading activities, and acquire new goods. Some cities were religious centers and bore large temples for the common religion. A wide variety of rituals and ceremonies were held and conducted by highly respected priests. The temples were in an open public place, allowing attendance that is more public where activities included human sacrifices. Religious cities were aimed to achieve harmony among its inhabitants, as the rulers would link politics and religion. In addition, cities played a significant role in displaying the amount of wealth held. The greater the city, the greater its wealth, and the more inhabitants it would have, which ensured growth and sustainability. Such cities would provide a home to the elite and those considered as the wellborn in the society. Social inequality during early civilizations was illustrated in various ways that sought to define differences between the poor and the rich. In the early civilisations, the concept of equality in the law did not exist. Consequently, a class-specific treatment by the legal code was established, which saw the poor pay heavily as compared to the rich who committed the same offence. The rich avoided physical labour and hired servants to take up their chores. The society was based on a hierarchy system, which defined manner of clothing, housing and manner of burial. The upper class was treated better compared to others due to their wealth. This was to the extent that the common people were punished for talking to the upper class. Work Cited “The Birth of Civilisation”. 2010. Web. 11 October 2012. Smith, Michael. The Earliest of Cities. 2007. Web. 11 October 2012. Read More