What is ancient age? »Its definition and meaning

The ancient age is the historiographical period that begins approximately between 4,000 and 3,000 BC, with the appearance of writing and ends with the fall of the Western Roman Empire, in the 5th century AD. It should be noted that antiquity was the first phase where a relatively precise historiography could be made, thanks to the fact that the writing that was carried out at that time, allows today to obtain documents on historical events, customs and beliefs.

What is ancient age

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As already mentioned, the ancient age is represented as the historical period developed to. C,. stage in which the first States are formed, such as Egypt, the Mesopotamian peoples, Greece and Rome. These peoples from the republican era (509 BC) began a process of imperialist expansion, subduing almost all the civilizations of the ancient world located on the European continent and in North Africa. Thus developed what is the ancient age (the longest period of humanity). Now, many wonder how long did the ancient age last? this lasted 3476 years.

The concept of ancient age is part of the periodization established in the seventeenth century by the German historian Cristóbal Celarius. It should be added that this periodization system is very controversial due to its Eurocentric approach.

It is important to note that the appearance of writing is part of what is the ancient age, allowing for the first time the registration of social life through different data and documentation, either in materials such as stones or paper (papyrus), establishing in these, laws and treaties such as: Hammurabi code, thus allowing a focus or something clearer on the events of the past.

The definition of the ancient age is represented by its duration, this was maintained as an extensive period in history and in which various social and cultural changes were made.

It should be added that the history of mankind also witnessed other periods called:

• Middle Ages: Which extends from the fall of the Western Roman Empire to the discovery of America in 1492. It is characterized by the fragmentation of political power in Europe, the development of culture associated with religious values ​​and a strong division of social classes.
• Modern Age: It extends until the French Revolution, in 1789. It is characterized by the apogee of the monarchies, the reappearance of great empires and cities, the accelerated development of science and the arts and the social and economic mobility of a new social class: The bourgeoisie.
• Contemporary age: Period that reaches today. It is characterized by its considerable influence in the face of technological advances that generated changes in man's daily life, here capitalism begins as a socioeconomic system and the establishment of centers and peripheries worldwide.

The Ancient Age can be divided into:

1. Ancient East: with the rise of the first civilizations of the Far East (Chinese civilization, Indian culture) and the Middle East (Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Persian Empire)

The Old East is where writing originated and with it history itself. The culture focused mainly on the valleys of the great rivers of Asia (such as the Yellow River, the Ganges, the Tigris, the Euphrates and the Nile). Both the countries of the Far East (India, Tibet, China) and those of the Near East (Egypt, Persian Empire, Mesopotamia) developed a wide variety of cultures, with many languages ​​and writing systems, religions, political systems. etc.

2. Classical antiquity: predominance of Greek civilization and ancient Rome.

Classical antiquity or the Greco-Roman world signified the origin of the West, as opposed to the East that had prevailed until then. The Greeks and Romans were influenced by the most ancient peoples and crafted them to make an original creation (especially the Greeks).

Despite the fact that Greek culture developed much earlier, the politics of ancient Greece were of great importance in the victory won over the Persian empire in the medical wars.

Although Greek culture began earlier, the political importance of ancient Greece is the result of the victory over the Persian Empire in the Medical Wars. Later, with the conquests of Alexander the Great, Greek culture spread throughout much of the Middle East and even influenced the countries of the Far East a little. Later, the Romans conquered Greece and the Mediterranean coast of the Middle East, as well as new territories north of the Alps.

Now, to know what the ancient age is like, you must first know its customs, which will be explained below:

Primitive cribs were used for newborns to rest. They were constructed of mesh and tied at low ground level. As for working-class adults, they slept on rough wooden beds that generally measured almost two meters square, although the materials and finish of these objects were uncomfortable, their constitution was ideal due to the climatic conditions of the time.

To illuminate at night they used torches soaked with oil, which they made with a strong piece of wood with one end tied with cotton strings, which allows the fire to remain lit for much longer and not to extinguish quickly. In the ancient age, they used candles made of paraffin inside the houses.

In addition, they made pens made of sturdy metals that were dipped into ink bottles to write special documents. On the other hand, during the first moments of writing with ink, they used quill pens.

Upon the death of a family member, invitations were sent to attend the funeral rites of the deceased. Letters were sent with the data of the person's death to inform their death.

Animal proteins were well appreciated in the ancient diet. The next animals they hunted were quail, armadillos, iguanas, rabbits, deer, and cows. Wine was also part of the meals.

Clothing during the Ancient Ages was made up of long pieces that reached to the ankles. They were often made up of two or three pieces, one on top of the other, and accessories were used to distinguish social class, age, sex, and marital status. The materials with which they made the dresses were silk and cotton with bright and varied colors.

Regarding the social organization in ancient times, it can be said that, during this historical period, civilizations are characterized by being structured in the form of a pyramid. The social classes were divided between the wealthy or upper class (people with assets and with good economic solvency) and the lower class (workers).

For the time, social classes are established as follows:

• Monarchs: they formed the top of social classes. In these groups were those pharaohs, emperors or kings who ruled empires or civilizations during this historical period of humanity. Most of them became leaders by inheritance or when they subjugated the leaders of enemy nations.
• Aristocrats: groups of people connected with monarchs. The main trusted members who served as ministers of the king.
• Religious servants: most of the governments during the Ancient Age claimed to be appointed by the gods, for this reason the priests or religious representatives were so important, since these were the ones who communicated if the gods or the deities they worshiped, were happy with the rulers.
• Artisans: They represented the working class of society. Many of these during the ancient age specialized in agricultural activities such as ranching and farming, as well as merchants.
• Slaves: Most of this group consisted of prisoners of war who were pardoned for life, but were punished for belonging to the upper social classes without any rights.

Characteristic of the ancient age.

Among the characteristics of the Middle Ages are:

• Emergence and development of urban life.
• Centralized political powers in the hands of kings.
• Companies marked by social stratification.
• Development of organized religions (mainly polytheistic).
• Militarism and events of continuous wars between peoples.
• Development and strengthening of trade.
• Development of the system for collecting taxes and social obligations.
• Creation of legal systems (Laws).
• Cultural and artistic development.

Major cultures and civilizations of the ancient age

Among the main cultures and civilizations of the ancient age are:

Ancient Egypt

An ancient civilization of North Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now Egypt. The civilization was unified around 3150 BC. C., with the political union of Upper and Lower Egypt and developed during the following three millennia. Its history dates back to a relatively stable set of periods, which scholars refer to today as intermediate periods (kingdoms separated by periods of relative instability).

The ethics of the ancient civilization of Egypt comes in part from the ability to get used to the conditions of the Nile River Valley. Predictable floods and controlled risk of the fertile valley with crops that offer excellent fruits and products that feed the social and cultural development of the civilization.

With resources from the administration, the mining operations of the valley and the desert regions, the rapid development of a deed and the collective organization in the construction and agriculture projects, aided by the trade with the military policy of the surrounding regions aimed at defeating the foreigners.

The many logos of ancient Egypt include quarrying, topographic studies and construction techniques that facilitate the construction of monumental pyramids, temples and obelisks, a mathematical system, a practical system and a system of irrigation practices and agricultural production techniques, the first known chemicals, vines and glasses with Egyptian technology, new forms of literature and politically the peace treaties.

The art and architecture of Egypt were widely copied, and its antiquities were taken to all corners of the world. Its monumental ruins inspired the imagination of writers and travelers for centuries. As well as various investigations associated with excavations and antiquities and multiple scientific studies, it brought with it data on the civilization of Egypt and its cultural legacy worldwide.

Ancient Greece

It refers to the period of enduring Greek history from the dark ages ca. 1100 BC C. and the invasion of Doria, a. C. 146 and the Roman conquest of Greece after the Battle of Corinth. In general, Greek culture is considered to have laid the foundations of Western civilization and cultures throughout Southeast Asia and North Africa.

Greek culture strongly influenced the Roman Empire. Ancient Greek civilization has been immensely influential in language, politics, educational systems, philosophy, science and the arts, it inspired the Islamic Golden Age and the Western European Renaissance and again the resurgence during various neoclassical renovations in the 18th and 19th centuries of Europe and America.

Ancient rome

It is the name given to the Roman civilization, on the Italian peninsula during the 8th century BC, since the founding of the city of Rome. During its twelve centuries of existence, the Roman civilization had forms of government such as the monarchy that was later replaced by the Roman Republic until it became a great empire that dominated Western Europe and the surrounding Mediterranean Sea through conquest and assimilation. cultural: Roman Empire.

However, a series of socio-political factors caused the decline of the empire, which was divided in two. The western half, the Western Roman Empire, which included Hispania, Gaul and Italy, entered a definitive collapse in the 5th century (barbarian invasions) and gave rise to various independent kingdoms among which are: the Eastern Roman Empire (called by modern historians such as the Byzantine empire, developed during the year 476).

Inserted in the period of classical antiquity, ancient Rome, as well as ancient Greece, Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt, greatly inspired Roman culture (Greek culture).

Mesopotamia

It was developed during a geographically important moment for the time, depending on the evolution of the state, and the ancient Neolithic settlements, beginning the development of cities and states and their own government. In fertile growth, this term coined by German historians identifies a crescent-shaped territory that connects two great rivers: the Tigris and the Euphrates. The civilizations of this fertile crescent (summer, Akkad, Lagash) are determined by a common element, which is the existence of a river, which becomes the axis of their Mesopotamian civilization. The Mesopotamian civilization was born in 3000 BC. C.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ancient Ages

What is called ancient age?

It is known as the period of history that ranges from the earliest forms of writing to the decline of the Roman Empire. At this stage the first states such as Greece, Rome, the Mesopotamian peoples and Egypt were established and it was where an imperialist expansion began that dominated almost all the peoples that were located in North Africa and on the European continent.

From what century to what century does the ancient age go?

Historically, each of the stages began and ended due to some important event and it is said that the ancient age began between 3,500 and 4,000 BC and lasted until the end of the 5th century.

With what event does the ancient age end?

The ancient age ended with the decline of the Western Roman Empire and was the event that began the Middle Ages.

With what fact does the ancient age begin?

The appearance or birth of writing was the fact that marked the beginning of the ancient age, as each culture developed different types of writing, such as the Egyptians, who used symbols to represent objects, or the Greeks, who were the creators of the first alphabet.

What were the most important events of the ancient age?

The emergence of writing, the predominance of polytheistic religions, the emergence and development of urban life, communities marked by social stratification, the strengthening of trade, militarism and wars for the occupation of the largest territory, the creation of legal systems or well known as laws and the development of art and culture.