Talk:Four Great Ancient Civilizations

Chinese-only Concept?

This is hardly a Chinese-only concept. These four civilisations are seen as the "cradles of civilisation" (or more dramatically, "humanity") and are usually tackled first in history books because they are the oldest (typically in the order Mesopotamia-Egypt-India-China). They all have the common thread of springing up around river valleys, giving rise to the historical theory that rivers/water are important factors for civilisation, and historians used to think that all civilisation could be traced to them somehow (I think).

Since this is such a small page, I might as well add something like this. If there aren't any objections within a few hours, I probably will. Brutannica 23:58, 7 July 2006 (UTC)

As far as I know, the western historians do not use ther concept of "Four great ancient civilizations". If they introduce ancient civilizations, they may introduce more or less than these four. These four civilizations have not emerged as a special concpet. If you have seem such concept, please provide the source. Thanks. --Neo-Jay 19:02, 8 July 2006 (UTC)

I don't have a source handy; it's more of a general concept. I'll come back and post one here if I find it. I haven't remembered to write anything in the article, though.

It should be noted that they don't really think of these civilisations as being "great"; Greece and Rome would need to be included. Brutannica 23:51, 13 July 2006 (UTC)

Who are "they"? Chevrox 07:04, 27 November 2006 (UTC)

Western historians. Brutannica 01:45, 23 June 2007 (UTC)

I agree, I have also heard this term before. I have to say that it's totally a "Chinese Centric" term and not adapted by any historians. It's like giving yourself a pat on the back, and "remind" yourself know how "great" your "glories past" was. blah~ Give me a break. Very typical Chinese tho. TheAsianGURU (talk) 09:28, 9 January 2008 (UTC)

If any one has taken college-credited high school history classes in the U.S. (i.e. AP World History class), the ancient civilizations being taught as the foundation of human civilisations are, if I remember correctly is something like, Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, China, and Mesoamerica... So it is quite similar to this concept actually, except this here says Babylon and only four of them.--Sevilledade (talk) 02:11, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Point of the article

We already have a Cradle of Civilization article, so what is the point of this one? If it is to describe a common term used in the Chinese history of the world, then it should stay. But more needs to be included on how the Chinese textbooks talk about these civilizations instead of the general description of the civilizations found elsewhere. Zachorious 03:47, 13 September 2007 (UTC)