Civilization (from the Latin civis=citizen and civitas=city) is a term applied to any society which has developed a writing system, government, production of surplus food, division of labor, and urbanization. The term is difficult to define because not all 'civilizations' include every one of the above facets. The term is often used, therefore, to suggest a highly developed culture.
More about: CivilizationDefinition
Timeline
-
c. 7000 BCE - c. 600 BCEThe Indus Valley (or Harappan) Civilization.
-
6000 BCE - 1750 BCESumerian civilization in the Tigris-Euphrates valley.
-
2000 BCE - 1450 BCEMinoan civilization in Crete and the Aegean.
-
1900 BCE - 1100 BCEMycenaean civilization in Greece and the Aegean.
-
c. 1500 BCE - c. 500 CEThe Gandhara Civilization flourishes in what is today the northern portion of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
-
c. 1200 BCE - c. 400 BCEThe Olmec civilization flourishes in Mesoamerica.
-
1000 BCE - 338 BCEAncient Greek civilization in Greece and the Mediterranean.
-
900 BCE - 200 BCEThe Chavin civilization flourishes in ancient Peru.
-
c. 900 BCE - c. 590 BCEThe Urartu civilization flourishes in ancient Armenia, eastern Turkey and western Iran.
-
500 BCE - 900 CEThe Zapotec Civilization flourishes in Mesoamerica.
-
323 BCE - 31 BCEHellenistic civilization in Greece, the Mediterranean and Asia.
-
200 BCE - 600 CEThe Nazca civilization flourishes in ancient Peru.
-
1 CE - 800 CEThe Moche civilization flourishes in ancient Peru.
-
600 CE - 1532 CEThe Wanka civilization flourishes in central Peru.
-
c. 750 CE - c. 1375 CEThe Lambayeque Civilization flourishes in northern Peru.
-
c. 900 CE - c. 1150 CEThe Toltec civilization flourishes in Mesoamerica.
-
c. 1100 CE - 1470 CEThe Chimu civilization flourishes in northern coastal Peru.
-
c. 1345 CE - 1521 CEThe Aztec civilization flourishes in Mesoamerica.
-
c. 1425 CE - 1532 CEThe Inca Empire flourishes in South America.
