What is or was the greatest civilization in history?

Question

Greek? Roman? Indian? Chinese? Egyptian? British? American?..................???

Answer 1

Say what you will about a civilization's power and longevity, but I would venture to say that if you want a truly great civilization, there's none greater than the United States of America. Granted, it may not have lasted as long as others before it, by the time the end has come, but I think that in itself would only contribute to its remarkable legacy. Surely I recognize that America is not perfect and has made its mistakes, yet despite its imperfections, it's still the one dominant power on Earth that hasn't tried to extend its borders all the way around the globe, and ruled with an iron fist the way that so many others have. The fact of the matter is, if America is remembered for one thing, it will be that America did more to rescue other nations, than actually conquer them.

I realize full well that there are many who would disagree, those who are convinced that America is another big gorilla on the world stage, bullying everyone else around. But these are people who don’t stop and consider what kind of world powers they’re comparing America to, people who have been taken in by the misguided notion that every country around the world just trembles in fear of America’s brutality. Nothing could be further from the truth, as I can’t think of even a single nation that’s afraid of America. Why else would the world consider us to be so weak and stomachless? That’s saying a lot, coming from countries who are gorillas, who are bullies, and have made it quite clear that they are coming for America in one ferocious, bloodthirsty pack. And will it be their way of bringing real peace and prosperity to the world? No, it’ll just be their way of showing the world what REAL brutality is, before turning their guns on each other. If anybody wants to live in that world, they should be careful what they wish for.

Answer 2

Of the past the Romans had the most power.
The Greeks has the most science, philosophy and creative thought; but those are western viewpoints.

The current Western European civilization, which includes America is the one that has done the most and accomplished the most. We have been to the moon after all. But, each civilization builds on the works of the past. We seem to owe the most to the Romans so I would consider them the greatest civilization; but I am not Chinese or Japanese.

We hardly know about the accomplishments of the Chinese and Japanese civilizations. The Chinese have had the longest continual history of being civilized and they invented gunpowder first. Their civilization has been slighted by the Europeans and often ignored. The Chinese didn't go through a dark age like the Europeans did. We lost a lot of knowledge and scientific advancements then. But, it took a visit by the Americans to force Japan out of its feudal era and to get involved in world affairs.

That proved that the size of a civilization and the amount of people in contact with it help to determine its power; because we can share our advances and achievements. Thanks to the invention of the Internet it has never been easier. For that reason I think the US civilization will go down in history as the most advanced and most powerful since the Romans.

I am ignoring the Egyptian, Babylonian, Phoenician and Monian civilizations, we don’t know as much about them. We see the massive artifacts of the Egyptians. Until the construction of the Effie Tower the Great Pyramid was the largest man made structure; for such an ancient civilization those pyramids where a huge achievement. If you are Iranian then you are going to say that the Babylonians and the Persians were the greatest; but their huge empire fell to the Greeks. Alexander the Great took over all of Persia and most of the known world.

But, the oldest religion is Hindi, and that is from India. Then what about the Mayans or the Aztecs or the Incas? The Western European World destroyed the last two easily, because they had the advantage of guns, horses, and steel. The Mayan civilization had a population as large as that of New York, but a long period of drought brought it down. Is it fair to compare the accomplishments of our modern civilization; built on the backs of the Greeks and Romans with theirs?

In the final analysis I have to say that the greatest civilization is the current one. But, each civilization could make a similar claim at the time of their height. I think we have gotten the most knowledge and spread it among the most people which makes me think it is the best so far. At least we are the widest and the most advanced.

Answer 3

Rome is a model of modern western civilization, and the dream of Rome lasted from the fall of Carthage to to the defeat of Napoleon. (136 BC to 1813 AD) It was the first Empire in which it's citizens enjoyed prosperity for their respect of it's laws, and it was the first truly mixed bag of ethnic groups. They mastered warfare, plumbing, road building, steel working, cryptography, writing, legislation, architecture, and medical sciences. And had a 700 year stint of an undefeated army.

They are my pick.

Answer 4

Britain

Answer 5

The Egyptians I went to display of some of their artifacts and they were incredible.
The Chinese were pretty smart as well.

Answer 6

The Greeks,... especially those Spartans.. i love `em.. they are well disciplined individuals... and the Greek mythology was the best mythology ever told...

Answer 7

greatest can be measured in many ways, say length of existance, stability, profitability. In my opinion, it would be the egyptian.

Answer 8

the ROMANS