What do you think are the greatest Civiliations in history?

[cybrxkhan]

Well, just as the title says, what do YOU think are the greatest Civilizations in history? Of course, that question has no real answer. Everyone would have a different answer, even the most learned of men.

Twenty-five choices are listed above. Except for the "other", all have been introduced into the Civilization game one way or another, and all have some level of history. Some civilizations have been, unfortunately, biasedly grouped in order to provide more room for other civilizations - like the Aztecs and Mayans into the Mesoamericans. Others have been thought of as not civilizations at all. Many civilizations have not been included because there isn't eonugh room for a new option.

Here are some criteria to consider while choosing:

1. Importance to History (Alexander the Great toppled the Persian Empire)
2. Military Power/Influence (The Mongols conquered the largest land empire in history)
3. Political Power/Influence (America as a Superpower in the Cold War)
4. Cultural Power/Influence (The Arabs spread Islam across three continents)
5. Scientific and Innovative Achievements (China invented gunpowder, fireworks, etc.)
6. Cultural Longetivity (The Hebrews have survived to this day, despite numerous obstacles)
7. Economical Power/Influence (The Chinese were at times one of the richest empires of the world)
8. Architectural Achievements (The Egyptians built the Pyramids, Abu Simbel, etc.)
9. Capability to Destroy (Mongolian hordes)
10. Humanity (Early Mughal India supported Freedom of Religion)

These are only some of many criteria that should be considered.

You have multiple votes, but it is suggested that you limit your votes to three. Personal bias is welcome, as long as it is reasonable.

 

[cybrxkhan]

My choices:

-China
-Egypt
-Rome

 

[TheLastOne36]

Why isn't Poland on the list?



Wait a second - No joke. Why is england on and Italy isn't?

 

[cybrxkhan]

^heheh, you silly Pole.

Why is england on and Italy isn't?

well, England had a huge world empire... Italy... darn, forgot the Reinessance... let just assume like the Firaixians it is represented by Rome, okay?

 

[TheLastOne36]

Why isn't Austria in it then? Austria-Hungary ring the bell? Same goes for Poland. Again for Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Bohemia, Denmark, Sweden?

 

[Emperor2]

CHINA! CHINESE CULTURE RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And the communists are destroying this great land-not that its ever had the greatest government, but it came close in '89.

1. Importance to History (China has long played in important part in world history; Trade, confucianism, techs-combinations of what is below)
2. Military Power/Influence (The Chinese invented gunpowder, and Wu Di expanded Chinese territory 3x in one kings rule)
3. Political Power/Influence (China as a rising superpower (under the communist party, this is a bad thing, but true nonetheless)
4. Cultural Power/Influence (The chinese influenced the largest continent hugely. Buddhism, art, language)
5. Scientific and Innovative Achievements (China invented gunpowder, fireworks, etc.)
6. Cultural Longetivity (Longest surviving culture)
7. Economical Power/Influence (The Chinese were at times one of the richest empires of the world)
8. Architectural Achievements (Imperial Palace, Great wall, Terra Cotta warriors)
9. Capability to Destroy (The Chinese built)
10. Humanity (Well, early Han emperors were confucists, and while not exactly saints, were realativly humane for that time period)

So all but 9, which really isn't a great hallmark.

 

[BEHIND_THE_MASK]

Importance to History ***Poland *** In the Battle of Vienna ce the Poles truly saved the day. Vienna was saved and the Ottoman advance into the Europe was halted for good. Had Vienna fallin, it is unsure what may have happened... But if one of the possibilities is a Muslim controlled Europe then its not something good.

Military Power/Influence ***The Mongolian Empire*** Truly, could Gengis Khan have conquered the world? I think so. But Military power only does so much... None the less, the Mongols shall always be revered as great conquerors.

Political Power/Influence ***The British Empire*** The sun never sets in the British Empire. From Canada to Australia, India to South Africa, the British held the position of a world power and commanded numerous subjects.

Cultural Power/Influence ***China*** Cultural is a decisive factor in the civilized world. Even in war culture can be the deciding point. Ask the Mongolians...

Scientific and Innovative Achievements ***Ancient Greece*** Set the ideals of modern Western society. Many great men originated from here.

Cultural Longetivity ***The Hebrews*** As mentioned before, the Hebrews have survive to this very day despite the ordeals set against them. They are either really brave or really stubborn.

Economical Power/Influence ***USA*** The US economy was a vital part of the allies war effort. Money that kept both the British and (Sigh) the Soviet armies rolling (But damnit, admit it! You can pay for it but it takes more then dollars to drive a damn tank!)

Architectural Achievements ***Ancient Egypt*** Land of the Pharhos. Brought us the Pyramids and other great achievements. They shall always be remembered.

Capability To Destroy *** USA/Union of Soviet Socialist Republics*** At the end of the second World War, both powers had the strength to destroy much of the world. The Russians with their massive armies and the USA with their own military and nuclear arsenal.

Humanity ***Nazi Germany*** In no way do the Nazi's deserve an award for doing anything good for humanity, but the lasting effect that Nazi Germany has had on the world is clear. Their tales of turture and Concentration Camps have shocked generations and in many people installed the belief that racism must end.

 

[TheLastOne36]

You do realize you first said the battle of Venice

 

[BEHIND_THE_MASK]

You do realize you first said the battle of Venice

whoops

Sry, playing Civ III... i'm currently fighting a big battle at Venice... the austrians are a . .. .. .. .. ....

But at least I mentioned something about you filthy filthy poles!!!

 

[LightSpectra]

Arabia during it's golden age was pretty sweet.

So was Rome.

 

[cybrxkhan]

interesting... with the few voters so far, the top three are China, England, and Rome...

remember that you can choose more than one choice... three is suggested limit.

 

[Izipo]

First, I'd say it's a risky poll...
Second, my choices :
1) Other : Western civilization, seems pretty obvious.
2) Hellenic : it's a wonder nobody voted for them, when there is already 5 votes for Rome. I'm pretty sure Rome would not have been what it was if not for Greece...
3) France : because I'm French and like everyone I indulge in chauvinistic self-praise (look at the votes for China, says it all really...)
Another good contender would have been Arabia, because you can kind of see they are thriving right now, whereas most of the other civs are long gone.
Although in terms of duration the Egyptians hold the record (from 3600BC to today IIRC).
The discussion could be interesting, I hope it will not go down the drain fast...

 

[simonnomis]

Importance to History ***Poland *** In the Battle of Vienna ce the Poles truly saved the day. Vienna was saved and the Ottoman advance into the Europe was halted for good. Had Vienna fallin, it is unsure what may have happened... But if one of the possibilities is a Muslim controlled Europe then its not something good.

The support of the Poles did save the day. But it's unlikely the Ottomans would have pushed much farther into Europe. They were already reaching their limit financially, economically, militarily, administratively. The Spanish, Portuguese, Moroccans, Persians, Russians, were all starting to bite at the borders and the splintering of their forces made it less profitable for Sultans to pursue conquest as a means of securing their position.

 

[simonnomis]

What counts as a civilisation though? shouldn't Europe count as a single civilisation? Technnology, ideas, religion, trade, language crossed all borders. The British may have been great, but their achievements were built back-and-forth on advances made by others such as the Dutch, French, Italians etc who were themselves 'great' at different times. The Chinese, for instance, are arguably barely more homogenous.

 

[Emperor2]

Why isn't america on there? We have the best government in the world Today, doesn't that count for something?

 

[The Yankee]

America is on there. Just below Arabia.

 

[Emperor2]

opps... Well, I still stand by my descision.

 

[cybrxkhan]

What counts as a civilisation though? shouldn't Europe count as a single civilisation? Technnology, ideas, religion, trade, language crossed all borders. The British may have been great, but their achievements were built back-and-forth on advances made by others such as the Dutch, French, Italians etc who were themselves 'great' at different times. The Chinese, for instance, are arguably barely more homogenous.

well, like the game, i decided to make this poll a bit Westerno-centric. but i don't think it makes that much a difference though.

 

[dutchking]

I said these as my top ones:
England-largest empire in world history.
China-pretty damn important, eh?
America-We're America!
Russia-Largest modern country, for the motherland charge at the tanks on your horses!!!!
France-I'm part French. Oui Oui, hehehe, Je parle le français...
I didn't vote Rome because they piss me off and all of their leaders were psychopaths...Otherwise I voted all of my mother countries except I'm not Chinese! Ireland (didn't vote celts), England, France, The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Russia...etc...

Why isn't america on there? We have the best government in the world Today, doesn't that count for something?

You are in New York right? I am too and I'd have to say that most people around here are DEMOCRATS, such as myself...I don't want to get into an arguement about Bush alright?
@TheLastOne36&Cybrxkhan:
You guys voted "other" right? Fine with me...

 

[aronnax]

What is Ethopia up there? Did they do something great that I am ignorant of?