Chiefdom

Definition

A society characterized by an allegiance to a single ruler: a chieftain

Artist rendering of Cahokia, a 13th century chiefdom located east of present-day St. Louis.
Artist rendering of Cahokia, a 13th century chiefdom located east of present-day St. Louis. (Lloyd K. Townsend, Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, IL )

Origins

Fertile Crescent, 5500-4500 BCE

Historic Characteristics

AuthorityA single chieftain and family members
PopulationHundreds to tens-of-thousands
TerritoryMultiple villages
CompositionSingle ethnic or linguistic line
Social stratificationTwo or three levels
CapabilitySmall-scale public works

Modern Versions

Societies predominated by

  • Warlords
  • Militias
  • Cartels
  • Town bosses
  • Shieks
  • Gangs