Tag: ancient-civilizations
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The Indian Ocean: Cradle and Catalyst of Civilisation – from the Ice Age on
During the Ice Age, significant human development was largely confined to regions bordering the Indian Ocean, characterised by temperate, balmy, or Mediterranean climates, yet dominated by monsoons. These conditions fostered early cultural advances in a region uniquely suited for human progress. The dominant landmasses included the Indian subcontinent, Sundaland (now the Indonesian archipelago), and an…
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Persistent Historical Myths: Examining Three Enduring Fallacies in World History and the Prospects for Their Overthrow
Old historical concepts, which have been proved beyond reasonable doubt to be false, are proving difficult to eradicate due partly to innocent repetition and in some cases, entrenched academic interests. When evidence is overwhelmingly compelling, why do some individuals seek to suppress debate? History provides numerous examples: Copernicus and Galileo were dismissed by the establishment;…
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The Roman Empire’s Maritime Trade in its Golden Period (30 BC–166 AD)
The popular image of the Roman Empire, often shaped by its historians, centres on its emperors: Augustus, its founder; the notorious Caligula and Nero; the stabilising Hadrian, known for his walls, including the one along Scotland’s border; and the philosophical Marcus Aurelius. Military campaigns, Jewish rebellions, and the drama of Antony and Cleopatra dominate historical…
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Jainism’s Maritime Influence on the Ancient Mediterranean
Historians have long been intrigued by the striking similarities between Indian philosophical traditions — Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism — and Greek philosophy. Examining history through the lens of maritime trade reveals not only economic patterns but also the transmission of ideas along trade routes. The Hiram-Solomon Treaty: Promoting Maritime Trade A notable biblical account describes…
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Ancient History vs Political Correctness
Has historical fashion diminished India’s role in shaping early history? Last week’s post posited that an invasion of Egypt by a military force from Mesopotamia’s Uruk city-state (in Sumer) was pivotal in forming Pharaonic Egypt, driven by trade demands between the Indus-Sarasvati region and Sumer. The notion of a Uruk invasion has sparked debate over the…
Nick Collins 