The Other Civilizations

Mostly, when the history curriculum turns to the great empires and civilizations of the world, the most often fought of are Rome, China, and possibly the South East Indian civilizations. Perhaps Persia or Egypt gets a mention from someone. Since the aforementioned societies shaped modern politics, economics, and social thought to such a degree that they did, the other societies are often forgotten. What of the kingdoms and tribal influences of Africa? Surely the land that scientifically spawned humanity deserves a mention in the minds of the college student. Furthermore, what mention is there of the Native American populations? Why is it that the other empires are so remembered and these are so forgotten?

Firstly, according to Robert Strayers textbook Ways of the World, A Brief Global History the lack of domesticated animals plays a large role in the power of societies. Unless water buffalo, zebra, and elephants count, Africa has slim pickings on animals it could domesticate. Now the great kingdoms ans cities of Africa did have access to the Roman markets as they continued to expand, however even at the height of the markets' involvements it was not enough to overcome this inherent disadvantage. Mesoamerica was likewise void of pack animals that could raise its empires to new heights. Without these creatures, transportation could not reach the same level as it did in Rome, nor could animals be used in an agricultural sense.

However, Mesoamerica and Africa managed to develop agriculture despite the domestication set back. According to Strayer, Mesoamerica was a "'totally engineered landscape'" in which the natives terraced mountains, constructed irrigation systems, and drained swamps. They were masters of their environment. The African societies cropped up after a large drought formed several large cities in the Southern Saharan region and consequently smaller villages formed up to supply the population with crops.

The cities of both continents also differed from the classic 'big' empires by their forms of governance. Quite a few of the African cities were noted to be 'cities without citadels' in that they had few distinct governments ruling the areas. Mesoamerica often relied on the elite families to rule over its people. Although many different ruling ideologies existed these helped differentiate between the great empires of the East. The differences between these empires helped form distinctive cultures that would never be seen in the same light. Due to the political and economic differences of these cultures, some would be forever remembered and others left as footnotes.