Great Civilizations of the Past: Learning from Ancient Societies – history series 2

Introduction

The world we live in today has been shaped by countless civilizations that came before us. Ancient societies like Egypt, Rome, Greece, and China played vital roles in forming the foundation of modern life. From the way we write, build, and govern ourselves to the everyday tools we use, their influence remains strong. In this article, we’ll explore these great civilizations, their contributions, and how they still impact us today.

Exploring Major Civilizations

Ancient Egypt: The Kingdom of Pyramids and Pharaohs

Ancient Egypt is one of the oldest and most fascinating civilizations in history. Known for its grand pyramids, mummies, and powerful pharaohs, Egypt made significant contributions to the world.

• Writing: The Egyptians created one of the earliest forms of writing, hieroglyphics. This system helped them record history, laws, and religious texts.
• Architecture: The construction of massive pyramids, temples, and the Sphinx showed incredible engineering skills.
• Governance: Pharaohs, seen as gods on Earth, ruled Egypt with a strong central authority, influencing the idea of leadership in future societies.

Ancient Rome: The Birthplace of Law and Engineering

Rome was one of the most influential civilizations in history. It spread across Europe, Africa, and Asia, leaving a lasting legacy.

• Law: Roman law laid the groundwork for modern legal systems worldwide, introducing concepts of justice, property, and citizenship.
• Architecture: Romans were master builders, known for roads, aqueducts, and public buildings like the Colosseum.
• Government: The Roman Republic introduced ideas like the Senate, which helped shape the democratic systems used by many countries today.

Ancient Greece: The Thinkers and Philosophers

Ancient Greece was known for its thinkers, artists, and democratic values.

• Philosophy: Great philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle laid the foundation for modern philosophy and science.
• Democracy: Greece, particularly Athens, is famous for developing the concept of democracy—government by the people.
• The Arts: Greek theatre, sculpture, and literature continue to influence art and culture today.

Ancient China: The Innovators and Scholars

China’s ancient civilization is renowned for its long history of innovation and learning.

• Writing Systems: The Chinese developed a complex system of characters that continues to be used in modern times.
• Inventions: Ancient China was the birthplace of many significant inventions, including paper, gunpowder, and the compass.
• Governance and Philosophy: Confucianism, developed in China, shaped social values, governance, and personal behaviour.

The Importance of Ancient Cultures and Their Contributions to Modern Life

Ancient civilizations made incredible advancements that still affect us today:

1. Writing Systems: The writing systems developed by ancient civilizations, such as hieroglyphics in Egypt and the alphabet in Greece, are the ancestors of our modern languages.
2. Architecture: Buildings like the pyramids, Roman roads, and Greek temples inspire modern architecture and engineering feats. Today’s cities and bridges owe much to these early innovations.
3. Governance: Ancient societies laid the foundation for how we run governments. The concepts of law, democracy, and leadership from Rome, Greece, and China continue to influence modern political systems.
4. Science and Philosophy: Ancient Greek and Chinese thinkers shaped the way we study the world and live our lives. Their ideas laid the groundwork for modern philosophy, ethics, and science.
5. Cultural Traditions: From Chinese festivals to Greek myths, the cultural traditions of ancient civilizations still enrich our lives today. Many festivals, arts, and customs have deep roots in ancient history.

Identify Activity: Which Major Civilization Affects Your Life the Most?

This activity helps children understand how ancient civilizations influence their daily lives.

1. What You’ll Need: A few objects or ideas that relate to each ancient civilization.
   • Examples: A legal contract (Roman law), a book (writing systems from Egypt, Greece, or China), a piece of art or building picture (architecture from Greece or Rome), or a calendar (innovations in timekeeping).
2. How It Works:
   • Discuss each civilization and its contributions. Then, ask children to think about which civilization affects their life the most.
   • Ask these guiding questions:
     • Do you write or read? (Link to ancient writing systems.)
     • Do you see any buildings that remind you of ancient architecture? (Temples, columns, etc.)
     • Have you ever heard about democracy or laws? (Explain their origins.)
3. Judgment Standards: Explain that the civilization with the most influence on their daily life is the one that has contributed the most recognizable systems or inventions, like reading, laws, or buildings.
4. Reflection: After choosing a civilization, discuss why they picked it and how the contributions of that civilization continue to affect the world.

Critical Thinking Discussion with Parents: Comparing Ancient Civilizations

This discussion helps children and parents compare ancient civilizations and reflect on their unique contributions.

1. Discussion Topic: Ask parents to think about two ancient civilizations and compare them. Focus on key areas like writing, governance, architecture, or cultural contributions.
2. Guiding Questions:
   • What similarities and differences do you see between the civilizations in terms of their achievements?
   • How did each civilization affect daily life in the past, and how do they still influence us today?
   • Which civilization do you find most interesting, and why?
3. Further Comparison:
   • Encourage the child and parent to choose their most interesting aspect of the civilizations and dive deeper.
   • For example, they can compare Roman and Greek architecture or discuss the differences between Egyptian and Chinese writing systems.
4. List of 5 Reasons:
   • Each person should list five reasons why they find their favourite civilization most fascinating.
   • This could be based on their inventions, stories, architecture, or how much influence they still have today.
5. Reflection: The goal is to inspire curiosity about the past and understand how ancient achievements continue to shape the present.

Conclusion

Learning about ancient civilizations helps children appreciate the rich history that shaped our modern world. From writing systems and architecture to governments and philosophies, the contributions of Ancient Egypt, Rome, Greece, and China still impact us in many ways. By exploring these great societies, children can connect the past with their own lives, fostering curiosity and a deeper understanding of the world. Through activities, discussions, and comparisons, children can learn to value the lessons of history and how it continues to shape their future.