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On the Origin of Civilizations

##article.authors##

  • Ziqing Wang Keystone Academy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58445/rars.1131

Keywords:

Civilizations, western, Greek, Roman

Abstract

Many people exhibit a compartmentalized view of history. Different civilizations today have different ancestors that, due to various barriers, developed independently from each other. This view is especially prevalent in the West, where many point out that the ancient Greek and Roman cultures were the progenitors of Western civilization today. Some take great pride in the Greeks and Romans, claiming they were Western culture's sole founders. With a selection of examples, this essay will refute this view. It shall be argued that civilizations, even ancient ones, have rarely developed independently. What makes history is not just simply diverse global cultures but also the links they forge with one another.

References

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Khalaf, Salim. “Phoenician Influence on Greek Religion 900-600 BC: The Oriental Influences Seen in the Gods and Goddesses Worshipped in Greece.” Phoenicia.org, phoenicia.org/greek.html.

Lewis, Mark Edward. China between Empires: The Northern and Southern Dynasties. Harvard University Press, 2009. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv1kmj7vz. Accessed 6 Apr. 2024.

Reed College. “Kouroi 2.” Www.reed.edu, www.reed.edu/humanities/110Tech/kouroi2.html.

Rutherford, Ian. “Ancient Greek and Egyptian Interactions.” OUPblog, 13 June 2016, blog.oup.com/2016/04/greek-egyptian-interactions-literature/.

The Economist. “The History of the West Is Not Quite What You Learned in School.” The Economist, 1 Mar. 2024, www.economist.com/culture/2024/03/01/the-history-of-the-west-is-not-quite-what-you-learned-in-school.

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Posted

2024-05-04

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