INTRODUCTION
Welcome to a journey through time and space, as we explore “The Old World”. Imagine the thrill of traversing ancient cultures, delving into rich histories, and exploring complex societies. If you’ve always felt a deep fascination for history, or you can’t get enough of age-old civilizations, then lessons about the Old World will pique your interest. This beginner-friendly guide is here to decipher the Old World to unriddle its multi-layered grandeur, so sit back, relax and let’s delve into a world that was.
DEFINITION OF THE OLD WORLD
The “Old World” is a term that refers to the continents of Europe, Asia, and Africa, particularly focusing on environments, historical aspects, and societies predating the “Age of Discovery”. The moniker came into popular use after European explorers discovered the Americas, which they subsequently referred to as the “New World”. The Old World holds the treasures of ancient civilizations, tales of epic battles, the genesis of languages and religions, flourishing trade, and ever-evolving cultures. These are continents that have birthed great empires like Rome, Greece, Egypt, and China. The term provides a historical lens to peep into our collective past.
UNDERSTANDING THE OLD WORLD: WHERE TO START
Though vast and multifaceted, we can separate the Old World into three key areas to begin our exploration: Europe, Asia, and Africa.
1. EUROPE: Begin by exploring the cradle of Western civilization – Ancient Greece with its philosophy, arts and democracy. Then, journey to the Roman Empire, observing their architectural genius and legal system. Explore the Middle Ages with knights, castles, and the Black Death, before turning to the Renaissance or the ‘rebirth’ of classical knowledge.
2. ASIA: Start with the ancient civilizations of China and India, each with their rich cultural heritage and philosophies. Learn about their dynasties, empires, and innovations. Then navigate to the Middle Eastern civilizations cradling Mathematics, Astronomy and Literature like Sumer and Persia.
3. AFRICA: Begin with Ancient Egypt, exploring the Pharaohs, Pyramids, and hieroglyphs before moving to other civilizations like Carthage, Mali Empire, Ashanti Kingdom and Benin.
ESSENTIAL TOOLS FOR EXPLORATION
To explore the Old World, you’ll need a good history book or an online course, a reliable internet connection for research, a map to visualize different civilizations, and note-taking tools.
TIPS FOR BEGINNERS
1. START WITH FAMILIAR TERRITORY: Begin your journey in a place that piques your interest or feels familiar. It could be a historical period you’ve heard of, or where your ancestors possibly hailed from.
2. TAKE NOTES: Sure it’s history, but it’s still a lot of information to absorb.
3. USE VISUAL RESOURCES: From maps to documentaries, visual resources will help bring the Old World to life.
4. BE PATIENT: Understand that this is a vast subject and take your time exploring each civilization.
5. GRASP THE BIG PICTURE: While delving into specific civilizations is great, don’t lose sight of the overall timeline and intersections of different cultures.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
A few good websites to start with are the BBC History section, Khan Academy’s World History curriculum and Smithsonian’s Online Encyclopedia. History podcasts like “Hardcore History” and “Revolutions” can provide some easy listening on the go.
GLOSSARY OF THE OLD WORLD
1. ANCIENT: Refers to history from the beginnings of human civilization (approx 3000BCE) until around 600CE.
2. MIDDLE AGES: European history between 600CE and 1500CE.
3. RENAISSANCE: A period in Europe from the 14th to the 17th century, marking the transition from the Middle Ages to Modernity.
4. DYNASTIES: A sequence of rulers from the same family or group. Very common in Chinese History.
5. ERA/ EPOCH/ AGE: Subdivisions of Geologic time.
NEXT STEPS IN YOUR JOURNEY
Now that you have the basics of the Old World, you’re ready to embark on your journey. Grab a book, watch a documentary, or dive into an online course. As you progress, you’ll begin to see the world today with a more experienced eye, appreciating the intricate tapestry of our shared past that has woven the present. Remember, the joy is in the journey as much as it is in the destination. Happy exploring!
