The idea of progress refers to the belief that human society changes over time and can move from simpler forms of life towards greater knowledge, prosperity, order and cultural development. In Ancient and Medieval Societies, however, progress was not understood in the same way as it is in the modern world. People generally viewed history through religious, moral and cyclical ideas rather than through the modern concept of continuous economic and technological advancement. In many ancient societies, progress was associated with the establishment of political order, agriculture, urban life, writing, law and organised religion. The rise of cities in Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus Valley and China represented major changes in human social organisation. The development of irrigation, metallurgy, writing and systems of administration enabled