Chapter 2 Blog

I loved how the preface of the chapter referenced the “urge to escape from civilization” (59). This urge continues to be a basic part of humanity even today, but I was interested to learn that it dates way back to the first civilizations. 

I also found it interesting how the reading referenced yet another product of agriculture: the creation of cities. Strayer quotes a passage from Gilgamesh describing the beauty and extravagance of Uruk, the largest city in ancient Mesopotamia. The creation of formal, structured cities was the starting point of a number of other structural developments for mankind—the start of a political culture, the foundations of creative expression as well as a physical place for labor and production, which would eventually lead to trade. 

In reading the chapter, I was again thoroughly reminded of Strayer’s profound commitment to giving his readers a strong sense of perspective on the material being learned. I really appreciated how he concluded the chapter with a reflection on the use of the word “civilization” and the way he provided a two-fold explanation on why it may not be the best word to use. He proposes that the word itself implies some sort of hierarchy, given that in modern day context it has implications of refined, cultured behavior. He also suggests that civilizations “represent distinct and widely shared identities with clear boundaries” and recognizes that it’s unlikely that these early people felt they had shared identities.