This game is really cool, but it's really hard if you don't know what you're doing! Make sure you play through the tutorial so you know how to play. Your goal is to grow your civilization, keep it safe, and build a world wonder. If you don't know what to do, try starting a new game on the easiest difficulty. It's still not that easy!
You need to assign your people to several different tasks: farming, defense, sheep herding, fishing, mining, and research. Assign people to farming, sheep herding and fishing to feed your people and grow your population. Assign people to research technology in order to get bonuses and new buildings. Assign people to mining to build buildings that give you extra bonuses. Make sure you have enough people defending your town too (always make sure that the number next to the skull is black). Hit the [+] button next to a job to assign one of your defenders to do it, or press the [-] button to remove a worker and make them a defender.
You'll have to play strategically if you want to survive long enough to build your wonder! If you beat the game on an easy difficulty, try one of the harder difficulties! If you can beat it on Deity, you're a real civilization master!