Ancient Civilizations - Writers Forum

Lusastrium · 04-26-2005, 11:27 PM

Which ancient civilizations are your favorite and why? My favorite ancient civilization is the Ming dynasty because in that dynasty, literacy flourished and the Middle Kingdom was at such a great state of technology and power that they turned their back in the world because they had created a far superior civilization than any of the other people. The Ming dynasty was also based on a meritocracy and perished because of their apathy from lack of strong opponents to fight.

Drzava · 04-26-2005, 11:38 PM

The Huns. Cause they kicked ass and that's all they did. They were savage and mysterious, they were too barbarian to cook their own meat yet they were sophisticated enough to think up new ways to kill the Romans. Atilla killed his own brother and then killed thousands over a girl, but died in his sleep.

The Vikings are a close second.

woodcut.evolution · 04-26-2005, 11:40 PM

Tough question, from a philosophical and political stand point Ancient Greece. But from a sheer coolness stand point the Tokugawa shogunate ranks high. Why you ask? Simple, samurai.

Drzava · 04-26-2005, 11:42 PM

Kublai was about to kick some samurai ass had he not forgot to stormproof his ships. The Ming dynasty also had to build that wall to keep out barbarians. I changed my mind, anything out of Mongolia is my favorite

Lusastrium · 04-26-2005, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodcut.evolution

Tough question, from a philosophical and political stand point Ancient Greece. But from a sheer coolness stand point the Tokugawa shogunate ranks high. Why you ask? Simple, samurai.

This is not what I believe but what I have heard. The West is where science and mathematics primarily were developed. China was where philosophy developed (100 schools). India was where religion developed (Buddism). Samurai are cool, but ninja can kill samurai in their sleep

Journey · 04-26-2005, 11:47 PM

I would think the Mayan Civilization. 1000's of years ago they created an entire society the only difference, it was void of electricity and metal alloy. It had our very same calandar 1000's of years before ours was created it was off by only seconds. Their downfall was white man and his quest to be superior to all but himself. And to have all those other than himself work for his own satisfaction. They were the most advanced in math, science, art, architecture, and than they could possibly be for their period.

Lusastrium · 04-26-2005, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Journey

I would think the Mayan Civilization. 1000's of years ago they created an entire society the only difference, it was void of electricity and metal alloy. It had our very same calandar 1000's of years before ours was created it was off by only seconds. Their downfall was white man and his quest to be superior to all but himself. And to have all those other than himself work for his own satisfaction. They were the most advanced in math, science, art, architecture, and than they could possibly be for their period.

Yes that was so, but then they just disappeared. A great civilization simply disappeared and its people just left their cities to go into the jungle. Their downfall was not the Conquestidors, but instead themselves. I read somewhere that they had a huge civil war that wiped themselves out. It was like World War Mayan City States.

Journey · 04-26-2005, 11:58 PM

Actually it was the Aztecs that just vanished... Mayans still exist today.

pgoroncy · 04-27-2005, 12:01 AM

Actually the Aztecs were conquered by Cortes.

Lusastrium · 04-27-2005, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Journey

Actually it was the Aztecs that just vanished... Mayans still exist today.

Are you sure? I read in history books that the Conquestidors led by Cortez killed the Aztecs and then used the survivors for slave labor. The Mayans disbanded for some reason (world war) and their descendents survive today although they don't live in their cities anymore. By the way, the Aztecs and the Spanish settlers are the ancestors of the country of Mexico.

Greyhall · 04-27-2005, 12:04 AM

Rome.

Lusastrium · 04-27-2005, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greyhall

Rome.

Why? Which one: Bzyantine Empire or Roman Empire or Roman Republic?

Drzava · 04-27-2005, 12:12 AM

Remnants of the indigenous population live in Chiapas and like to go skiing

Journey · 04-27-2005, 12:14 AM

Cortez defeated the Aztec capital. but I know mayans still exist. I took a tour of the Mayan and Aztec ruins. And many Mayan decendants run the tours and live in villages around the ruins. I know there was a tale of a Mayan City that vanished. Could that be what your thinking about? But it wasn't the entire civilization...

((I havn't quite mastered the quote, off subject, and other stuff yet so sorry if I leave it out where it belongs.))

Greyhall · 04-27-2005, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lusastrium

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greyhall

Rome.

Why? Which one: Bzyantine Empire or Roman Empire or Roman Republic?

All of Rome before it went crappy with Christianity.