TLF ID M021191
This 10 minute video in three parts offers an overview of the development of the agrarian civilisations in the ancient world. Part 1 looks at how, as peasant villages spread, farmers developed more productive methods of farming, particularly the use of large animals for ploughing and transport, and irrigation. Part 2 looks at the development of towns and cities, which were a result of these more productive methods of farming, and the subsequent population growth. Food surpluses meant occupations other than farming became possible. This led to a need for more organisational structures, which then gave rise to power brokers who took on the role of co-ordinating society. As their power grew, governments were established and states was born. Societies developed a new hierarchy of elites, farmers and peasants, and slaves. Part 3 looks at the cultural similarities between the big cities throughout the ancient world. Empires began appearing 3,000 years ago.