I forgot to expand on the point yesterday, but Egypt/Kemet was also very influential in architecture, mathematics, astronomy, literature, religion, and agriculture. They made many early innovations in the irrigation of farmland, creation of canals, and the redirection of waterways. In architecture they innovated the usage of keystones and counterweights, archways, stone carving and stone structures, as well as the use of mortar (though Babylonian architecture also used a form of mortar as well). They also were pioneers in medicine and the preservation of corpses. Masonry also came from Egypt/Kemet. They had an enormous influence on both Greece and Rome. In the ancient world (3000 BC and before) it's probably between them and Babylon as far as which civilizations influenced their successors the most, not to take anything away from ancient China. Egypt and Babylon had more influence over 'Western Society' via their influence in Greece and Rome. China was the major player in the east.
Hell, China invented gunpowder.
I think it's been mentioned, but there's a good Wiki article on it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cradle_of_civilization
Originally posted by MF DELPHAnd China is still incredibly influential today unlike some of the ancient empires which are not around anymore or the regions they aren't really global powers anymore.
I forgot to expand on the point yesterday, but Egypt/Kemet was also very influential in architecture, mathematics, astronomy, literature, religion, and agriculture. They made many early innovations in the irrigation of farmland, creation of canals, and the redirection of waterways. In architecture they innovated the usage of keystones and counterweights, archways, stone carving and stone structures, as well as the use of mortar (though Babylonian architecture also used a form of mortar as well). They also were pioneers in medicine and the preservation of corpses. Masonry also came from Egypt/Kemet. They had an enormous influence on both Greece and Rome. In the ancient world (3000 BC and before) it's probably between them and Babylon as far as which civilizations influenced their successors the most, not to take anything away from ancient China. Egypt and Babylon had more influence over 'Western Society' via their influence in Greece and Rome. China was the major player in the east.Hell, China invented gunpowder.
It is incredibly hard for me to pick the most on this list. I would rather talk about some of the more influential countries and what they have given the world.
I saw a map once of all of the territory that was influenced and or subjugated by the British Empire and its probably the most widespread in terms of its influence.
So yeah going with them, or the Romans as a close second
Originally posted by Newjak
And China is still incredibly influential today unlike some of the ancient empires which are not around anymore or the regions they aren't really global powers anymore.It is incredibly hard for me to pick the most on this list. I would rather talk about some of the more influential countries and what they have given the world.
Yeah, there's no actual definitive answer. All of these nations had monumental impacts on world history. And there's still contemporary innovations to consider like steam engines and electricity which, along with gunpowder, pretty much changed the course of human history. There's the sciences to consider. I mean, consider someone like Isaac Newton who alone could put Britain in the convo with his impact on mathematics and our understanding of light, gravity, and the EM spectrum. And his work was founded on the shoulders of people that came before him.
Originally posted by carthage
I saw a map once of all of the territory that was influenced and or subjugated by the British Empire and its probably the most widespread in terms of its influence.So yeah going with them, or the Romans as a close second
If we're going to take into consideration the subjugation of a large area we're going to have to bring Mongolia into this conversation as well because the Khan's played a huge part in Asian and European history through conquest and merging cultures together under one banner from the Chinese Eastern Coast all the way to Eastern Europe and the Middle East. They had major influence over the course of world history as well.
Originally posted by MF DELPHYeah the Mongol's conquered a lot. A lot a lot.
If we're going to take into consideration the subjugation of a large area we're going to have to bring Mongolia into this conversation as well because the Khan's played a huge part in Asian and European history through conquest and merging cultures together under one banner from the Chinese Eastern Coast all the way to Eastern Europe and the Middle East. They had major influence over the course world history as well.
Originally posted by Tzeentch
The British Empire, if I had to pick out only a single country. Many nations are still dealing with the fallout of their shittery to this day.
Originally posted by carthage
I saw a map once of all of the territory that was influenced and or subjugated by the British Empire and its probably the most widespread in terms of its influence.So yeah going with them, or the Romans as a close second
Originally posted by ArtificialGlory
I'm pretty sure the Sumerians the first.
Checking, it seems you're right, though I will note that both had settlements long before proper cities.
I'll still give the nod to Egypt based on longevity and being only a little bit younger there.
Originally posted by meep-meep
Where farming began. It's likely the most influential thing that happened to us.
Ah, but interestingly, it's currently considered likely that agriculture was independently developed in multiple sites.
Originally posted by carthage
I saw a map once of all of the territory that was influenced and or subjugated by the British Empire and its probably the most widespread in terms of its influence.So yeah going with them, or the Romans as a close second
If we consider geographic extension as influence, we'd need to consider lasting through time as well.
The only major element that I believe is absent from the discussion so far is trade. Of course, most succesful empires had a heavy element of internal/external trade in their structure, but you cannot say as much of most conquered territories.