The large nations had systems of what the US Army referred to as "settlements" whose size and complexity were perceived as serious threats. Some of the nations

The large nations had systems of what the US Army referred to as "settlements" whose size and complexity were perceived as serious threats. Some of the nations comprised of those settlements were even referred to explicitly as civilizations when they assimilated. Maybe "settlements" don't count as cities; the whole thing is a bit pedantic to me. But, in any case, "culture" is too weak a term for the complex social systems, political systems, and living patterns that existed during the time of L&C.