1. Early agricultural societies developed between 8000 BCE and 600 BCE, laying the foundations for the first civilizations. Civilizations were large societies with cities, complex institutions like governments and religions, and social hierarchies. 2. As populations grew and competed for resources, civilizations became more stratified and developed specialization of labor, trade, record keeping, and defenses against violence between groups. 3. Some early civilizations that experienced state expansion included Mesopotamia, Babylonia, and ancient Egypt, where rulers consolidated power and mobilized resources over large areas, sometimes through military force.