Friday, February 01, 2008

Freeciv Illustrates Chapter 1, Section 3



Graphic source: Wikimedia Commons.


Freeciv is a multiplayer, turn-based strategy game for workstations and personal computers inspired by the commercial proprietary Sid Meier's Civilization series. The latest stable version of Freeciv is 2.1.3, released on January 23, 2008. The game's default settings are closest to Civilization 2, both in gameplay and graphics (including the units and the isometric grid).

Freeciv is included with most desktop Linux distributions, and continually rated as one of the best available free/open source games. Released under the GNU General Public License, Freeciv is free software.

Description

Players take the role of a tribe leader in 4000 BC and have to guide their people through the centuries. Over time, new technologies are discovered, which allow the construction of new city buildings and the deployment of new units. Players can wage war on one another or form diplomatic relationships.

The game ends when one civilization has eradicated all others, accomplished the goal of space colonization, or at a certain deadline. If more than one civilization remains at the deadline, the player with the highest score wins. Points are awarded for the size of a civilization, its wealth, and cultural and scientific advances.


Freeciv can be downloaded for free here.

Agenda Chapter 1 Section 3 Beginnings of Civilization

Section 3 Beginnings of Civilization
Objectives

*

Analyze the conditions under which the first cities and civilizations arose.
*

Outline the basic features that define civilization.
*

Understand the ways in which civilizations have changed over time.

Terms, People, and Places

surplus

traditional economy

civilization

steppe

polytheistic

artisan

pictograph

scribe

cultural diffusion

city-state

empire

Note Taking

Checkpoint (3) in section.

In what ways were river valleys ideal locations for civilizations to develop?

What roles did governments play in early civilizations?

How have different types of challenges encouraged peoples and civilizations to change over time?

SECTION 3 Assessment

Reading Skill: Summarize

2. Use your completed chart to answer the Focus Question: How did the world’s first civilizations arise and develop?

Comprehension and Critical Thinking

Make Comparisons

3. How were the conditions under which early civilizations developed in Asia and Africa different from those of the Americas?

Synthesize Information

4. In early civilizations, how did religion influence government and social classes?

Identify Central Issues

5. (a) Give three examples of cultural change in early civilizations. Hint(b) Give two examples of cultural diffusion today.

EC
Writing About History
Quick Write: Make an Outline