Climate on Ancient Civilaztions

Climate Changes Effecting Civilization
Essay #1
Civilization is defined as an advanced state of human society in which a high level of culture, science, industry and government has been reached.   In early civilizations, environment had the largest impact on the industry of society.   Environment dictates the agricultural products of a society.   Environment also impacts trade between civilizations.   The location of a civilization is often chosen based upon favorable environmental conditions.   The conditions of the environment play a large role in the day to day lifestyle of people living in civilizations.

The earliest civilizations were located near rivers because the presence of water was very important.   Water was used to grow crops as well as in cooking and cleaning. Changes in the environment effected water levels, either a flood or a drought, would have a devastating outcome on a civilization. Many civilizations were affected by this, but most notably were the Hittites. Changes in water levels affected them the most because they were self producing and didn’t trade with anyone.

Early civilizations were primarily agriculturally based.   That is, the crops grown were used for food as well as for barter among themselves and between civilizations.   The environment (climate) determined which crops could be grown most successfully.   In a region where multiple crops could be grown, the civilization was self-sustaining.   People within this type of civilization could grow one crop to excess and barter with another to accommodate the needs of the family.   In a region where only a single crop could be grown, the inhabitants needed to learn how to reach out to other civilizations to exchange products and crops between them.   An example of this was the Hittites.   They were very successful at producing grain, but were forced to trade with other civilizations to obtain other food and tools necessary to survive.   The environment determined the amount and quantity of...