On the Origin of Civilizations

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.