Final answer:
The Phaeacians are viewed as civilized through Homer's descriptions of their advanced architecture, focus on peaceful living rather than militaristic prowess, efficient city planning with sanitation, and sophisticated uses of materials and symbols, reflecting a stable and dynamic society.
Step-by-step explanation:
We know from Homer's descriptions in The Odyssey that the Phaeacians are civilized through their advanced architectural designs and the layout of their city. Homer's portrayal of the Phaeacian buildings and infrastructure reveals a society with a stable social system, absent of militaristic depictions common in Mycenaean culture, and focused on aesthetics and community well-being. For instance, the Phaeacians' focus on graceful buildings, efficient city planning with sanitation, and space for communal activities such as athletics and elegant clothing affirm their civilized nature. This stands in contrast with the fortress-like citadels of the Mycenaeans, which were centered on defense and had thick Cyclopean masonry around the acropolis.
In Homeric descriptions, there appears to be an emphasis on the peaceful and dynamic aspects of the Phaeacian society. The buildings and the city's organization did cater to practical needs such as sanitation and trade, similar to modern cities, indicating a complex and developed society. The use of marble and stone in their construction, as well as incorporation of linguistic symbols in the artwork, reflect a culture that had both the resources and the sophistication to develop a highly aesthetic environment, further characterizing the Phaeacians as a civilized and advanced people.