On the American version of Zhihu Quora, netizens are hotly discussed: Why did the Chinese civilization, the oldest living civilization, not be annihilated like other ancient civilizations? Let's take a look at their conclusions.
Question: Why is it that only the Chinese civilization has not been annihilated among the ancient civilizations?
Overseas netizen Alexander Tan's answer
I see many people mistakenly focusing on who is the earliest civilization.
I see many people mistakenly focusing on who was the earliest civilization.
But what I want the questioner to mean is, why was China able to survive among the oldest civilizations?
But what I think the questioner is is that why has China survived in one of the oldest civilizations?
This viewpoint comes from Arnold Toynbee.
This view comes from Arnold Toynbee.
In fact, this is caused by inconsistent standards.
In fact, this is caused by inconsistent standards.
Chinese people are centered around cultural identity, and as long as they identify with Chinese culture, they are Chinese.
Chinese people are centered on cultural identity, and as long as they identify with Chinese culture, they are Chinese.
After the establishment of Chinese civilization, it has only undergone dynastic changes, and language, culture, and major ethnic groups have always been in the same lineage.
Since the establishment of Chinese civilization, it has only experienced the change of dynasties, and the language, culture, and major ethnic groups have always been in the same line.
Ancient Egypt was completely destroyed by Arabia.
Ancient Egypt was completely destroyed by the Arabs.
Sumer was killed by Akkad a long time ago.
Sumer was killed by the Akkadian very early.
The ancient Indian civilization (Harappan civilization) was destroyed by the Aryans.
The ancient Indian (Harappan civilization) civilization was destroyed by the Aryans.
There are significant differences in the main languages, cultures, and races on this land.
The main languages, cultures, and ethnicities in this land vary widely.
We know that there is no evolutionary relationship between ancient and modern Indian script.
We know that there is no evolutionary relationship between ancient Indian scripts and modern Indian scripts.
Chinese civilization is like a melting pot. The Xiongnu, Di, Jie, Qiang, Xianbei, Khitan, Mongolian, Jurchen, and others successively entered China, but most of their cultures have disappeared, and many ethnic groups no longer exist.
Chinese civilization is like a melting pot. The Xiongnu, Di, Jie, Qiang, Xianbei, Khitan, Mongol, Jurchen, and others entered China one after another, but most of their cultures have disappeared, and many ethnic groups no longer exist.
Every dynasty in China has written records and clear historical chronologies. Four regions, including ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, ancient Türkiye and ancient Persia, did not have any written records after the invasion.
Each dynasty in China has a written record and a clear historical chronology. Four regions, including Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Ancient Turkey, and Ancient Persia, did not have any written records after the invasion.
Over a period of approximately four to five hundred years, people gradually lost their knowledge and understanding of their own writing. Writing ability.
Over a period of about four or five hundred years, people gradually lost their knowledge and understanding of their own writing. Writing skills.
Today, Chinese people use characters that were already used during the Shang Dynasty.
Today's Chinese use scripts that were already in use during the Shang Dynasty.
In terms of writing, they have evolved from oracle bone script to regular script.
In terms of writing, they have evolved from oracle bone scripts to regular scripts.
When we read Chinese poetry from three thousand years ago (some early poems from the Zhou Dynasty in the Book of Songs), we will find that they still rhyme. Their cultural vitality is too strong.
If we now read 3,000-year-old Chinese poetry (some of the early Zhou poems from the Book of Songs), we will find that they still rhyme.
Moreover, we are not looking at why Chinese civilization has continued, but rather at why other ancient civilizations have disappeared.
Moreover, we do not want to see why the Chinese civilization has been continued, but why other ancient civilizations have been annihilated.
One is geography. Geographically, the Chinese civilization has taken possession of the land that can be cultivated and the water system related to farming. The Yellow River, the Yangtze River and the the Pearl River, the three major rivers, have always been firmly in control. They have expanded around the irrigation area to occupy all favorable terrain. Form a permanent residential area.
One is geography. Geographically, the Chinese civilization has acquired all the land that can be cultivated, as well as the water systems related to cultivation, the Yellow River, the Yangtze River, the Pearl River, these three great rivers, have always been firmly controlled, with their irrigation area as the core to expand around, occupying all the favorable terrain. Formation of permanent residential areas.
One is population. Developed traditional Chinese medicine theories and farming techniques ensure population growth. In fact, the suffering of ancient people has always been determined by the contradiction between population and land. The growth of arable land was not considered stagnant until the Ming Wanli year, while population growth has been accelerating until nearly a decade in modern times.
One is the population. The well-developed theories of traditional Chinese medicine, as well as farming techniques, ensured population growth. In fact, the suffering of the ancients has always been determined by the contradiction between population and land. The growth of arable land did not stagnate until the Wanli years of the Ming Dynasty, while the growth of population continued to accelerate until the last decade of modern times.
One is error correction ability and learning ability. There were twenty-four dynasties in ancient times, with Hu Fu, cavalry, and archery, as well as hardships and hardships. A nation that constantly learns advanced technology and ideas from other ethnic groups cannot be defeated, and at most, it will rise again after a few hundred years of silence.
One is error correction and learning ability. In ancient times, there were twenty-four dynasties, some of them rode and shot in Hufu, and some of them were lying on their backs and tasting courage. A nation that constantly learns the advanced technology and ideas of other nations cannot be defeated at all, and will rise again after being silent for a few hundred years at most.
The Chinese nation does not give any opportunity for other foreign civilizations to rise. The Xiongnu, Turks, Dali, Bohai, and Goryeo, these foreign civilizations, were either annexed by the Chinese civilization early on, or completely defeated by centuries of continuous aggression. In the face of foreign enemies, Chinese civilization has never peacefully coexisted or appeased. They will perish if they do not submit, there is no second path to take, and there is no equality to speak of.
The Chinese nation did not give other foreign civilizations any chance to rise at all, and the foreign civilizations of the Xiongnu, Turkic, Dali, Bohai, and Goryeo were either annexed by the Chinese civilization as soon as possible, or they were completely defeated by the attacks that lasted for several hundred years. In the face of foreign enemies, Chinese civilization has never coexisted peacefully or appeased. If they don't surrender, they perish, there is no second way to go, there is no equality to speak of.
The answer of American netizen James Olinskai
China is not the oldest civilization: there were also Sumerians (including other Mesopotamian empires), the Indus River basin, and Egypt before it.
China is not the oldest civilization: it was preceded by the Sumerians (including other Mesopotamian empires), the Indus Valley, and Egypt.
These civilizations have not been "eliminated", and the Assyrians and Dravidians (believed to have established the Indus Valley civilization) as well as the Egyptians still exist.
None of these civilizations were "wiped out", and the Assyrians and Dravidians (who are thought to have founded the Indus Valley civilization), as well as the Egyptians, remained.
However, assuming that your meaning is the oldest existing civilization, referring to the longest lasting "local culture", while the other three civilizations have been completely transformed by foreign forces, I can simply answer:
However, assuming that you mean the oldest living civilization, referring to the longest-lasting "native culture", while the other three civilizations have been radically altered by foreign powers, I can answer simply:
Firstly, let's talk about three ancient civilizations (I will only mention Sumerian, Egyptian, and Indus). Under the external impact, the Sumerians lost the local Mesopotamian culture to the Persians, followed by the Greek Macedonian Empire, followed by the Arabs, who completely Islamized the region, followed by the Turks, and finally Iraq and Syria were divided into two countries by Britain and France.
First, let's talk about three ancient civilizations (I'll just say Sumer, Egypt, and the Indus). Under external shocks, the Sumerians lost the local Mesopotamian culture to the Persians, then the Greco-Macedonian Empire, then the Arabs, who completely Islamized the region, then the Turks, and finally Iraq and Syria were divided into two states by Britain and France.
Egypt is also a similar story: the native culture lost to the Persians, then the Greeks, then the Romans, then the Arabs, then the Turks, then the British. The Indus civilization is more direct: Indian civilization and culture had to restart after the mysterious disappearance of the Indus civilization.
Egypt is a similar story: the native culture lost to the Persians, then the Greeks, then the Romans, then the Arabs, then the Turks, then the British. The Indus civilization was more immediate: the civilization and culture of India had to start over after the mysterious disappearance of the Indus Valley civilization.
Next, let's talk about the changes in Chinese culture; Only two external forces have truly conquered China: the Mongols and the Manchus.
Next, let's talk about the cultural changes in China, where only two external powers have actually conquered: the Mongols and the Manchus.
However, later on, the Qing Dynasty took the opportunity to occupy the struggling territory of the Ming Dynasty, and the Manchu people were already heavily influenced by Chinese culture. As the Ming Dynasty expanded northward to Manchuria and conquered the Manchu people, the Qing Dynasty's rule over China did not have a significant impact on Chinese culture, and the changes were far less significant than the Caliphate's conquest of Egypt.
However, later the Manchus took the opportunity to occupy the poorly conditioned Ming territory, and the Manchus were already heavily influenced by Chinese culture, as the Ming Dynasty expanded northward to the borders of Manchuria, so the Manchu rule of China did not have a significant impact on Chinese culture, and the change was far less great than the Caliph's conquest of Egypt.
And then there are the Mongols. The epic story of the great battle between China and the nomadic tribes in the north originated before the Qin Dynasty, when the Great Wall was being built to keep the Mongols out. Before the conquest of Mongolia, there was a thousand and a half years of war and negotiations between the Central Plains and Mongolia, which led to significant cultural exchanges between China and Mongolia. When the Mongols went south, similarly, Chinese culture did not undergo earth shattering changes.
And then there are the Mongols. The epic story of the great battle between the Chinese and northern nomads originated before the Qin Dynasty, when the Great Wall was being built to keep the Mongols out. Before the Mongol conquest, there were a thousand and a half years of war and negotiations between the Central Plains and the Mongols, which led to great cultural exchanges between China and the Mongols. When the Mongols moved south, again, Chinese culture did not change drastically.
The other reason why foreign influence in China is more limited than other ancient civilizations is due to geographical reasons. China is surrounded by the Gobi Desert and the Qinghai Tibet Plateau, preventing intruders from the West and South. The Pacific is in the east, preventing invasion from the east. The neighboring countries of ancient China in the past were Mongolia, Tubo, Junggar, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and Siam, all of which had their cultures severely sinicized, making it impossible to significantly change Chinese culture. The great civilization closest to China is India, but they are separated by the the Himalayas and the Qinghai Tibet Plateau, which makes cultural exchanges difficult.
Other reasons why foreign influence in China is more limited than other ancient civilizations are geographical reasons. China is surrounded by the Gobi Desert and the Tibetan Plateau, which deterred invaders from the west and south. The Pacific Ocean was in the east, preventing an invasion from the east. Ancient China's neighbors used to be Mongolia, Tibet, Dzungaria, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and Siam, all of which had been heavily sinicized and therefore unable to significantly change Chinese culture. The closest great civilization to China is India, but they are separated by the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau, which makes cultural exchange difficult.
海外网友Shannon Fu的回答
In terms of race, the same people occupy the same area. Chinese civilization originated between the Yellow River Basin and the Yangtze River Basin. The main ethnic group, the Han ethnic group, was named after China's second unified dynasty and has remained relatively stable for over 2000 years of history. Through over 10000 years of written and archaeological records, it is possible to reliably trace the main ancestors of the Han ethnic group back 2000 years.
Ethnically, the same people occupy the same area. Chinese civilization originated between the Yellow River basin and the Yangtze River basin. The main ethnic group, the Han Chinese, named after China's second unified dynasty, has been largely stable for more than 2,000 years of history. Through more than 10,000 years of written historical records and archaeological records, the main ancestors of the Han people can be reliably traced back 2,000 years.
An endless stream of written language. Written Chinese was extensively compiled into legal codes in the 2nd century BC and has been in use ever since. The origin of Chinese written language can be reliably traced back to two thousand BC.
The uninterrupted written language. Written Chinese was codified in large numbers in the 2nd century BC and has been used ever since. The origins of the Chinese written language can again be reliably traced back to the second millennium BC.
Continuously inheriting cultural customs. Ancestral worship and cultural customs such as the Chinese calendar (including various Chinese festivals such as the Chinese New Year) can be traced back at least 3000 years and have remained largely unchanged. The main lunar calendar in China can be traced back to the Zhou Dynasty in 1000 BC and remained largely unchanged for the next 3000 years.
A cultural practice that has been passed down through the ages. Cultural practices such as ancestor worship and the Chinese calendar (including various Chinese festivals, such as the Chinese New Year) date back at least 3,000 years and remain largely unchanged. The main lunar calendar in China dates back to the Zhou dynasty in the first millennium BC and remained largely unchanged for the next 3,000 years.
Continuous religious and philosophical practice. Confucianism is a set of governing philosophy established by Confucius in the 5th century BC, which has become the undisputed foundation of imperial governing philosophy and academic class for over 2000 years. Even in today's modern government, it follows the main principles. Taoism, established roughly simultaneously with Confucius, continues to support the general understanding of the supernatural and spiritual world among the Chinese people. When Chinese people talk about saints, immortals, ghosts, and elves, they largely follow Taoist traditions.
Ongoing religious and philosophical practice. Confucianism is a set of statecraft established by Confucius in the 5th century BC, and for more than 2,000 years it became the undisputed intellectual foundation of imperial statecraft and the academic class. Even in today's modern government, the main principles are followed. Taoism, founded around the same time as Confucius, continues to underpin the Chinese general understanding of the supernatural and spiritual world. When Chinese talk about saints, immortals, ghosts, and elves, they largely follow Taoist traditions.
I believe that geography is closely related to Chinese history. The land occupied by the Han ethnic group is mainly fertile, with the east and south being oceans, the north being grasslands, and the west being deserts and the Qinghai Tibet Plateau. In this relatively safe geographical environment, Chinese people are able to develop their civilization relatively unaffected by external forces. Chinese people were fortunate in history, unlike other ancient civilizations, and it was not until modern times that they truly faced the threat of Westerners tempered by the industrial revolution.
I also believe that geography has a lot to do with Chinese history. The land occupied by the Han is mainly fertile land, bordered by the sea in the east and south, the steppes in the north, and the desert and the Tibetan Plateau in the west. In this relatively safe geographical environment, the Chinese were able to develop their own civilization relatively undisturbed by external forces. The Chinese were fortunate in history, unlike other ancient civilizations, and it was only in modern times that they were really threatened by Westerners tempered by the Industrial Revolution.
So think about it, the Chinese have a civilization of 5000 years, until the 1860s, when they fought and lost to the British, they never faced enemies who were equal to them in military and cultural terms. They have fought multiple times, sometimes losing to grassland nomads, but the latter often only have the upper hand in military affairs. It is interesting that people often succumb to the rule of nomadic peoples such as barbarians, rather than fighting until the last drop of blood, despite being restrained by foreign rulers, their cultural identity has not been lost.
So think about it, the Chinese had a civilization of 5,000 years, and until the 60s of the 19th century, when they fought and lost to the British, they never faced an enemy equal to them militarily and culturally. They fought many times, sometimes losing to steppe nomads, but the latter tended to have the upper hand only militarily. Interestingly, people often succumbed to the rule of the barbarians, nomads, rather than fighting to the last drop of blood, and despite being tempered by foreign rulers, their cultural identity was not lost.
They are indeed fortunate that no intruder has a cultural level higher than Han culture, or at least belongs to a culture that is equal to themselves. More likely, once the conquest is over, the temptation of Chinese civilization and power will overwhelm the invaders over time, ultimately leading them to identify with themselves as Chinese in terms of mentality and culture. Of course, it took thousands of years for this identity and soft power to develop and reach a mythical status. But once established, it proves itself superior to any armed force and continues to exist throughout the existence of the people.
They were indeed fortunate that none of the invaders had a higher level of culture than the Han culture, or at least belonged to a culture equal to their own. It is more likely that, once the conquest is over, the allure of civilization and power in Chinese culture will overwhelm the invaders over time, and eventually they will identify themselves mentally and culturally as Chinese. Of course, it took thousands of years for this identity and soft power to develop and reach a mythical status. But once established, it proved itself superior to any armed forces and persisted for the course of the existence of the people.
Other ancient indigenous civilizations were not given a barrier to perfect their cultural spirit, so they were not so lucky. There were more kings and princes coming and going in Mesopotamia than historians can count. Egypt survived for a period of time, but obediently surrendered to the Greeks, then Rome, and later to Islam. Its ancient culture was completely overshadowed by the sand of time.
Other ancient indigenous civilizations were certainly not given the barrier to perfect their own cultural spirit, and were therefore not so lucky. Mesopotamia had more kings and princes coming and going than historians can count, and Egypt survived for a while, but submissively succumbed to the Greeks, then Rome, and later to Islam, and its ancient culture was completely obscured by the rustle of time.
The Indus River Basin is an interesting example because its heritage elements, especially religious practices, have existed to this day. However, even in modern times, India itself has never truly established a unified culture or politics. Even today, there are still 22 recognized official languages using 13 different scripts. People can reasonably prove that India was not a truly unified political entity until modern times. The Minoans collapsed and burned with the collapse of the late Bronze Age, and never recovered. Their remnants may have sparked civilization in Greece or other parts of Asia Minor, but their connections are fragile and unconfirmed.
The Indus Valley is an interesting example because of their heritage elements, especially religious practices, that have survived to this day. However, even in modern times, India itself has never really established a unified culture or politics. Even today, there are 13 different scripts spoken in 22 recognized official languages. One can reasonably prove that India was a truly unified political entity until modern times. The Minoans collapsed and burned with the collapse of the Late Bronze Age and never recovered. Their remnants may have sparked civilization in Greece or elsewhere in Asia Minor, but the connection between them is fragile and unproven.
After the glory of Alexander, Greek classical civilization slowly declined, and Hellenistic culture flourished on the basis of Roman inheritance, then declined for thousands of years until it was rediscovered during the Renaissance.
After the glory of Alexander, the classical civilization of Greece slowly died out, and the Hellenistic culture flourished on the basis of the Roman heritage, and then declined for thousands of years, only to be "rediscovered" during the Renaissance.
The Persians can also claim that they have a glorious ancient history spanning nearly 1500 years, from the Medians of the 6th century BC to the Achaemenids, Seleucids, and Sassanians. They only unfortunately faced an enemy that was on par with them in terms of military and cultural aspects in the 7th century AD. After that failure, ancient culture, religion, writing, and customs completely disappeared, and Iran's medieval and modern history had to be interpreted in terms of Islamic culture and history.
The Persians can also claim that they have a glorious ancient history stretching for nearly 1,500 years, from the Medes in the 6th century BC, to the Achaemenids, Seleucids, and Sassanids. They were only unfortunate enough to face an enemy in the 7th century AD who was on a military and cultural par with them. After that defeat, the ancient culture, religion, writing, and customs disappeared completely, and Iran's medieval and modern history had to be interpreted in terms of Islamic culture and history.
On the other end of the world, the Mayans, Aztecs, and Incas may have had the opportunity to unfortunately encounter conquerors in the 16th century, and their history and culture will once again be completely destroyed. Except for China, no major civilization that can be traced back to the Christian era can claim any continuity before modern times.
Far away from the world, the Mayans, Aztecs, and Incas may have had the opportunity to encounter conquerors in the 16th century AD, and their history and culture were once again completely destroyed. With the exception of China, no major civilization dating back to the time of Christ can claim any continuity before modern times.
Of course, ancient history cannot prove superiority, as evidenced by the struggles in China during most of the 19th and 20th centuries. However, I believe it is not difficult to acknowledge a certain uniqueness of Chinese culture, as its long and enduring history is truly unique.
Ancient history certainly does not prove superiority, as evidenced by China's struggles in the 19th and most of the 20th century. However, I think it's not hard to acknowledge a certain uniqueness of Chinese culture, because its longevity and longevity are indeed unique.