Ancient Churches Lexicon Entry:

Cities

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In the time of the Golden Age, tribes, families, and households lived separately, and not under governments as they do today. After that time, however, when the love of ruling crept in, enmity and hostility rose up against those who would not submit to be ruled. For this reason, tribes, families, and households banded together into communities and protected themselves with towers, walls, and earthworks. They also set up a governor for themselves, whom they at first called a judge, then afterwards a prince, and finally a king or emperor (DP 215).

Cities of the Ancient Church were notlike cities of later times, which are merely gatherings together of individuals. Instead, cities were made up of separate families living side by side, all of whom were descended from the same forefather. For example, Shalem, the city of Shechem, consisted of the family of Hamor and Shechem (AC 2943).