Comparing Ancient Civilizations and Medieval History

Ancient Civilizations

Ancient civilization refers to human societies from prehistoric times up until the end of classical antiquity around the fifth century CE. These societies were spread across various regions, including Europe, Western Asia, North Africa, Egypt, and especially Southwest Asia. Their advancements in agriculture allowed them to settle into permanent villages with large populations by 6500 BCE. This transition led to urbanization and complex social hierarchies, resulting in some of humanity's earliest cities such as Babylon and Uruk.

The oldest known civilization was Sumerians who focused on trade and agriculture. They established their own city-states and influenced later cultures like Akkadians, Assyrians, and Babylonians. Each had its own unique script, art, architecture, philosophy, and religion. By 3000 BCE, the Sumerian culture had declined due to invasions and migrations, making room for other groups like Indo-Aryan speakers to take over.

Egypt is another significant early civilization, having lasted longer than any other society. Its most famous period began during the Old Kingdom when it built monumental structures like pyramids. A major turning point came in 700 BCE, near the end of the Iron Age, when new technologies and ways of thinking developed rapidly.

Greece also played a crucial role in shaping western civilization. It gave birth to democracy, theater arts, literature, and philosophy which influenced European thought greatly. Rome eventually conquered Greece, leading to the rise of Hellenistic civilization between 323 and 30 BCE. During this time, Alexander the Great expanded his empire to parts of the world they'd never seen before, influencing cultural exchange even more.

China has one of the longest unbroken histories in the world stretching back over 4,000 years. Chinese inventions included gunpowder, movable type printing, paper money, and the compass - all essential to modern life today. India too saw several kingdoms rise and fall throughout its history. Persia flourished under Cyrus II, forming the largest empire in the first millennium BC through military conquest.

Medieval History

Medieval history covers the period from approximately the 5th to the late 15th century AD, spanning roughly a thousand years. It encompasses both Western Europe (also called Early Middle Ages) and Eastern Europe (also referred to as Late Antiquity). In China and Japan, however, it corresponds to what we term 'classical periods' because these East Asian countries experienced continuous development instead of having a separate middle age phase.

In Western Europe, the Roman Empire fell apart after 476 AD, leaving behind small political units. Feudalism emerged as an economic and legal system based upon grants of land made by a lord to a vassal, usually in exchange for service. Knights protected landed estates given in fees, their loyalty bought by gifts from lords. Kings relied heavily on castles and private armies provided by nobles and knights.

Islamic expansion occurred from the 7th to 13th centuries, spreading Islam throughout the Mediterranean region and northern Africa, transforming Arabic culture and the region's economy along Islamic lines. Muslim dominance extended beyond Arabia to Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Spain, and Sicily. They introduced innovations like algebra and the decimal fraction system.

In terms of religious influence, Christianity spread widely in Europe and became divided into two branches: Catholicism and Orthodoxy. Both emphasized individual salvation gained through faith rather than good works. Protestant Reformation started in Germany in 1517 continued through mid-century, dividing Christian church bodies further along national lines.

During the High Middle Ages (1000-1300), Western Europe experienced economic growth and population revival, thanks largely to improved agricultural methods. Towns emerged as centres of commerce, industry, and learning. Crusades took place, attempting to regain control of Jerusalem for Christendom.

By 1300, however, Europe faced challenges such as an outbreak of bubonic plague (Black Death), which decimated much of the continent's population and changed trading patterns forever. The Renaissance followed thereafter, signifying rebirth and renewed interest in art, science, exploration, and humanism.