Most interesting? Probably the Enlightenment era. It was a virtual rebirth of science and classic philosophy, and the Age of Sail was really interesting. I've always loved that kind of thing.
As for which era had the most effect on modern times, it would be the beginning of colonialism. It's basically reshaped the world entirely.
You say that like Capitalism is a great system, like human beings would be wallowing in their own crap without it.
I don't think the prexisting feudal system was that great, but we're no better off exchanging barons for bankers. The rise of the middle class kinda bugs me. Also, the expanding on cities made possible some of the worst outbreaks in history.
While we're in Renaissance Italy, anyone else think that Machiavelli was a kissass?
The ancient times, the birth of the first civilizations. Mesopotamia in Middle Eastern, India in the Indus Valley, and Egypt.
Which other civilizations spread from them... Babylon, Sumeria, Hitites Assyrians, Akkadians, etc.. how culture, and religion descend from each other. Which elements of the ancient religions were incorporated in christianism, and how these culture spread into chirstianism. Which other unknow influences cultures could have on each other.
History does build on itself, that I do agree on. But ancient ancient history based out of the cradle of civilization would be boring to me. A history period in which there is little history (Especially written) would be boring.
Machiavelli had a keen understanding of politics, but I wouldn't call him smart. He wrote his works and dedicated them to one of the evillest and most narrowminded families in European history- the Medicis. We can thank them for the corruption of the Bourban family.
Postmodernism and the information age is very interesting, but I might have to go with Classical period as well. Although the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, and Romanticism were all very interesting as well.
A better question might be, which is my LEAST favorite…which would probably be the Middle-Ages or Dark Ages or the Industrial era.
Originally posted by Wesker
Some argue that the brain is hard-wired for religion, but most socio-political philosophers argue that some sort of noble lie is neccessary.
true.
one could argue that it's not the religion that's bad, but the people who misinterpret it. but then again, it's much more complicated than that.