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No mention of Egypt? Why?
My understanding is that despite its fame, Egypt wasn't all that important in the development of Western Civilization from an infrastructural standpoint. Sure, it made its contributions, but not as much as some other places. I know that the allure of Egypt in the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries was quite high in the minds of Westerners, and this has likely fed the idea that Egypt was more powerful or influential in the ancient world than it really was.
Western comes from Middle-East and North-Africa? ???I must review my Geography[/quoteAt the time we're talking, they were the Wild West themselves.
No mention of Egypt? Why?
My understanding is that despite its fame, Egypt wasn't all that important in the development of Western Civilization from an infrastructural standpoint. Sure, it made its contributions, but not as much as some other places. I know that the allure of Egypt in the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries was quite high in the minds of Westerners, and this has likely fed the idea that Egypt was more powerful or influential in the ancient world than it really was.
I was actully thinking more of Egypt's influence on Greece. I think I mentioned somewhere before that Herodotus wrote a whole book about Egypt, so that makes me think they were influential in Greek thought. (but of course it was modified and "Greeked" by the Greeks)
I was actully thinking more of Egypt's influence on Greece. I think I mentioned somewhere before that Herodotus wrote a whole book about Egypt, so that makes me think they were influential in Greek thought. (but of course it was modified and "Greeked" by the Greeks)
I had not heard of any Egyptian influence on Greek thought, but I would be interested to hear if it did exist. I know Egypt was important as an economic resource for the Romans, and for its symbolic importance when Octavian battled Mark Antony and Cleopatra. Other than that, I'm not sure.
The Greeks sought to emulate the Egyptians since they were the older civilization by far.
The old saying goes... "there is truly, nothing new under the sun."We see it throughout history, each succeeding society picks up and dusts off for their own use, the things from the past that sooth, amuse, or move them. 🙂
Herodotus says the laws of Spartan (allegedly) mythological king Lykourgos were derived from Crete and there is much archaeological evidence that shows Cretan society was influenced by the Egyptians (and others). So putting two and two together.....
The Greek pantheon is more or less an updated version of the Egyptian pantheon. But not to take anything away from the Greeks, they were quite innovative themselves and the Romans took notice.
The Romans were quite pragmatic, using what they could find from people they subjugated. If you check what the Romans brought to History, it's mainly about politics. Not much about Art or Philosophy. Even about Christianity, they proved to be opportunist.Except politics (even if politics is an Art), what did the Romans really bring ?
Rome brought law, technology, and engineering. Also, if it wasn't for the Romans, it is probable that Greek culture would not have survived. Yes, some may have proved to be opportunistic when it came to Christianity, but how far and how fast would Christianity have spread without the stability of Roman society? I know, I know, Christianity still spread widely and rapidly during the very unstable Middle Ages, but the Byzantine Empire was the early center of Christianity..and you wouldn't have a Byzantine Empire if it wasn't for Rome.
Don't forgot Roman contributions to the art of warfare. They did not achieve and maintain their empire based on political skill but the application of superior military power. In politics it is all hot air if you do not have the strength and will to back up political claims with armed might. If nothing else, the Romans proved this, just ask the Etruscans or Carthaginians. 😛
Where's the Art ??
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/13/Roman_sculpture.jpghttp://www.abcroma.com/Pantheon5.jpghttp://www.pilgrimages.com/tour99/coloseum.JPGhttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dc/Roman_Baths,_Bath_-_Sea_Horse_Mosaic.jpghttps://pantherfile.uwm.edu/prec/www/course/mythology/0100/115.jpghttps://pantherfile.uwm.edu/prec/www/course/mythology/0100/117e.jpghttp://www.historyforkids.org/learn/romans/history/pictures/colmarcaurelius2.jpghttp://www.westcler.org/gh/curlessmatt/arthistory/6/ColumnOfTrajan.jpghttp://www.cherba.com/i2p/050619/hadrian01.jpghttp://www.joetourist.ca/Greece/images/Athens/2006IMG_3728a.jpgetc., etc., etc.
