A Compendium of Decline and Distruction of Major Civilizations During Ancient Times
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INTRODUCTION There have been many misconceptions what world history involves. The most common view is that it encompasses only dates, timelines and events. However, this idea is entirely false for, its parameters include societal changes, human lives, governmental organizations, technology, medicinal advances, religion, and geography. Therefore, one has to conclude that world history is an ongoing process that is changing constantly due to the reaction of peoples, their occupations and conditions. Just as societies change so do people in their manners, behavior and thinking. This constant change has a direct effect on the conditions of civilization and its outcome. Taking these facts into consideration, this author went ahead to explore those factors which eventually brought about the decline and collapse of the aforementioned parameters. This study entailed a comprehensive and intelligent survey of these conditions. In order to reach a plausible conclusion, certain questions had to be answered to give light on the subject matter. These include the following: 1. Who or what caused the decline or collapse of these civilized countries? 2. What was the result of the destruction? 3. What was the impact on civilization and society in these countries? 4. What were the changes in their culture, politics, geography, technology, science, medicine, religion, if any? 5. What effect did it have on human life and its ramifications? To discover the answers to these pertinent questions, it was expedient to delve into the historical background which led to all these changes. Therefore, it was extremely necessary to inquire and write a brief but intensive summary of the conditions and elements which brought about the collapse. With this in mind, a venture into historical records were undertaken which will, I’m sure, enlighten the reader in the concepts of world history which bring about change for better or worse in the lives of humankind. In some cases, knowledge of these incidents was limited and, in others, a more detailed and exact information was given. However, these faults do not detract from the significance of acquiring the knowledge of their demise. Because of the extent of the historical downfall of countries and cities, this abridgement of historical events was limited to just ancient civilizations. For those who are not familiar with the abbreviations of B.C.E. and C.E., they mean Before Common Era and Common Era. The chapters are written in a chronological order to promote some form of continuity which will assist the reader in understanding the various civilizations and their decline and destruction.
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About the Book
My purpose in writing this compendium of ancient civilizations was to give a clear understanding of the major events which took place during ancient times so that junior and senior high school students would enjoy.
From my personal experience teaching in the public schools for the past thirty-years, I found most texts to be very wordy, cumbersome in their intent to express historical facts, and most of all, their immersion to detail instead of concentrating on the highlights of intrigue, fascination, and personal biography.
These are the elements which should be concentrated on so that students do not become bored reading historical material.
History should be an enjoyable experience for those who wish to learn about the past and how it has affected the future.
Therefore, with this intent in mind, this author has embarked on a journey into the past to give enjoyment to those students who long to learn what the future will bring.
About the Author
Walter graduated from San Diego State University in 1950 and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree. He majored in Physical Education and minored in Social Studies. He received a general secondary credential, a Master of Arts degree and an administrative credential from the same institution.
He had taught in the public schools of California for the past thirty years and is now retired. During this period of time, he taught various subjects but, mainly, fixed his attention on American and World History.
When he retired, he became very interested in umpiring and refereeing various sports, such as, baseball, softball, basketball, football and volleyball on a high school and college level.
He received a certificate of merit from the National Softball Association held at Burbank, California; also, at the Regional Umpire School at Pleasantville, California. He attended and received his professional umpire certificate at Harry Wendelstad’s Umpire School in 1985 at Daytona Beach, Florida. Because of a bad back, he was forced to retire after fi fteen years of umpiring.
He served as a hospital corpsman with the 4th Marine Division during WWII from 1943 to 1945 and took part in the battles of Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima where he was nearly killed by an explosive shell which heaved him into the air.
At age of eighty-eight he decided to engage in writing which he enjoys immensely.