The helm of history and the nerve center of civilization have changed hands many times during humankind’s existence. Isolated cultures either remained hidden and protected or were discovered and conquered by conquistadors (Duiker and Spielvogel 23). As seen throughout Europe, conflicts between neighboring civilizations may arise when they vie for territory and authority. Many occurrences led to civilizations’ emerging, flourishing, and collapsing. Constant conflict from all sides or a corrupt governmental structure can bring down any society. China and Japan maintained their power and prosperity as ancient Greece and Rome fell.
There was constant warfare among the ancient Greeks, but it was usually limited to small-scale conflicts. Many Greek civilians had their suits of armor and weapons and were always prepared to serve in the armed forces (Taub 249). Many military operations took place in the summer so people could return to their farms in time for the fall and spring harvests. Anxiety about one’s social status surfaced occasionally; like the Greco-Persian Wars, uprisings from below the social strata were sparked by discontent with the established order. The destruction of Ancient Greece was hastened in part by constant warfare. Grecia was divided into independent city-states before Alexander the Great’s conquests. Attributable to his death, the former generals were politically divided and eager to reclaim their former leadership positions. Cultural hubs of the Greek world shifted from Athens to places like Antioch in Turkey and Alexandria in Egypt. Rome was experiencing a power shift due to the Battle of Corinth in 146 B.C. In 147 B.C., the Roman Empire conquered Greece and established its control over the country.
There were several reasons for Rome’s downfall as well; the Gothic War was a major factor in the decline. The Huns had been terrorizing the Goths, so in 376 A.D., they sought refuge in the Roman Empire. However, due to a lack of provisions, the Goths rose and drove the Romans out from the Greuthungi battlefield. During the Battle of Adrianople in 378 A.D., the Romans were wiped out by the Goth uprising and the Greuthungi since their force was too thin. Rome’s internal collapse was primarily precipitated by the empire’s treatment and ties with its barbarian subjects (Duiker and Spielvogel 45). Even after the Sack of Rome in 410 A.D., the Goths still strived for greater power. In 476 A.D., Odoacer overthrew the last Roman Emperor, Romulus Augustulus, and the once-mighty Roman Empire lay in ruins.
Conflict, insurrection, and governmental upheaval were all factors in the decline of ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. In contrast to these challenges, the Chinese and Japanese civilizations remained relatively stable throughout history. China responded to external influences by ensuring the stability of domestic institutions before engaging in international trade (Weller 29). Italian explorer Marco Polo helped build a fabled trading route in his exploration of China. More items became available in more locations because of the Silk Road trade. Attributable to its luxurious feel and beautiful sheen, silk quickly became central Asia’s de facto currency. Silk was in high demand worldwide because the production and care of silkworms was a closely guarded secret in China. Since China was still Asia’s only supplier of silk, the region’s trading networks kept expanding. Despite being attacked by nomads, China has managed to maintain its unity.
There were parallels between the Chinese and Japanese languages and cultures. Self-respect, reverence for elders, and veneration for nature were important tenets of both Confucianism and Shintoism. The attained equilibrium permeated all levels of government, all the way down to the commonwealth. The economic and monetary systems maintained excellent order and consistency (Weller 23). When people followed the advice of great thinkers, there were fewer uprisings. Age differences between European and Asian civilizations are notable. The unique historical and geographical conditions experienced by each culture accounted for these differences. In the case of Ancient Greece and Rome, they were frequently attacked by hostile powers. In contrast, China and Japan maintained their longstanding convictions; they sought isolation to hold on to their ancient customs, even as they incorporated some progressive ideas from other cultures. Formerly, they traded to extend their sway over other communities while mitigating any potential blowback. In the end, China and Japan outlived Greece and Rome.
Hunter-gatherers had been pushed to the edge of their geographic range by 300 A.D. The culture was shaped by its interactions with neighboring powers, China and Korea. However, it was adopted in China to support the Yamato dynasty. When Buddhism arrived in the middle of the sixth century, it created competition between Shinto and indigenous religions. The Emperor of Japan, Yamato, was increasingly influenced by powerful noble families. As the emperor’s influence waned, regional lords emerged as powerful actors. Minamoto family members relinquished their position as Shogun in 1185 after rising to power through a civil war between two powerful families in the 12th century (Duiker and Spielvogel 34). Writings of poetry and prose that have stood the test of time came from the imperial court. It was also at this period that the samurai warrior caste emerged. The shoguns’ power was abolished, and a new constitutional monarchy led by Emperor Meiji was founded. Following his father’s death, the Meiji Emperor’s son assumed the throne as the Taisho Emperor. A new democratic leader was installed in the country while he was battling a chronic illness.
Japan established its imperial dominance over Korea and conquered much of northern China during World War 1. When ties between the military administration and the civilian population of Japan broke down, Japan became an easy target for other powerful countries. In 1941, the Japanese army attacked the United States and hammered the American navy at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, although the loss of oil and petroleum was the most pressing issue for the Japanese. Popular culture in Japan celebrates the 196 nations that have contributed to making the world a better place to live and meet new people (Zhang 47). Every year, millions of tourists worldwide go to this country. Kyoto, the ancient Japanese capital, and Mount Fuji, a magnificent volcano close to Tokyo, are just two of the country’s numerous well-known tourist destinations. Japan’s rich history includes several languages scattered around the globe during World War II. History has made Japan and the globe as implausible as they are today.
Overexpansion was a primary factor in the decline of Rome and other great civilizations. The greater Empire exerted tremendous influence over the smaller ones. As more Romans converted to Christianity and abandoned their traditional beliefs, religion played a significant role in their history. Regular warfare was common as each city-state sought to establish its superiority over the others. This was not the only blow to Greece, but it certainly did not help their cause when trying to rally again to take on Rome. Since each Greek city-state had its government and rulers, their relationships were constantly shifting. During this time, these empires struggled to achieve victory over their foe. Warfare, insurrection, and governmental disruption were aspects of the downfall of ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. Peace, governmental stability, and unity made the Japanese and Chinese civilizations thrive.
Works Cited
Duiker, William, and Jackson Spielvogel. World History, Volume I: To 1800. 7th ed., Wadsworth Publishing, 2012.
Taub, Liba. “Celebrating Science in Ancient Greece and Rome.” Nuncius, vol. 34, no. 2, 2019, pp. 246-257, Web.
Weller, Robert. Alternate Civilities: Democracy and Culture in China and Taiwan. Routledge, 2018.
Zhang, Dewei. Thriving in Crisis: Buddhism and Political Disruption in China, 1522–1620. Columbia University Press, 2020.