Rise of Ancient Civilisations and Their Main Characteristics

Vocabulary flashcards covering the definition, characteristics, and environmental and historical background factors of the birth of early civilisations.

Civis

The Latin word meaning "citizens" or "people who live in cities", from which the word "civilisation" is derived.

Civilisation

The more developed and organised state of human society that emerged when humans invented writing and established cities.

Philip Lee Ralph

The author of "World Civilizations" who noted that discussing the origins of cities is really the same as discussing the origins of civilisation.

Emergence of cities

A key characteristic of early civilised societies where production expands, the population grows, and people settle in cities.

Social classes

A social structure in early civilisations where people belong to different classes and engage in different kinds of work.

Government and governance

A system where kingdoms and states appear, and rulers organise a government and make laws to govern and maintain social order.

Religious ideas

A characteristic of early civilisations marked by established religious beliefs, specific rituals, and dedicated buildings.

Invention of writing

A major technological development created to keep records and assist in management.

Commerce and trade

An economic activity in early civilised societies involving the buying and selling of food and other goods.

Knowledge of technology

A characteristic of early civilisations where humans acquired practical technical knowledge and applied it to daily life.

Progress in agriculture

The foundation of civilisation; by satisfying basic survival needs, it gave humans spare energy to transition into non-agricultural activities such as crafts and business.

Accumulation of experience

A background factor in the birth of civilisation whereby humans learned from their ancestors through word of mouth and later written records over generations, improving upon them.

Contribution of the natural environment

The role of geography and climate in early civilisations, specifically river valleys that offered abundant water, fertile land, and mild climates favorable for agriculture and settlement.

River valleys

The geographic locations where the earliest civilisations originated, providing water supply, fertile flat land, easy transport access, and plentiful food like river fish.