Civ

A civ or civilization is a unique culture within the world, comprising a group of people who share a common language and generally hold many of the same ideals. Its people recognize a singular authoritative body who directs the civ's actions, though that body may consist of a single person, council or elders, or some organizational form.

In Dawn, the player controls a single civilization and the game ends if that civ is vanquished. Other civs are controlled by AI.