Detail the main power centres around the Mediterranean Sea through the ages and explain why they fell - Essay Example

However, despite the notable developments from these powers, they finally fell following several reasons such as corruption, inequality and civil wars. Others did not last long because they had ineffective leaders who had little knowledge on governance hence a downturn to economic prosperity. There are different main power centers around the Mediterranean Sea through the ages and the underlying reasons why they fell. For instance, there were the Egyptians who had the first knowledge of architecture, building and a combination of painting and sculpture.

The Egyptians’ formulation of the techniques begun around 3000 B.C. This includes the establishment of a pyramid of the sovereign before the takeover of the throne. However, in painting, there was a different technique called monumental treatment that was accorded to designs using many colors (Fromkin 89). In the same breadth, there was also rapid development through stylistic conformities that have presently been characteristic of the art of the Egyptians through history. Another main power center around the Mediterranean Sea was the Phoenicians who had success as early as around 1200 B.C. It is during this period that their level of activity rose and there was also the proliferation of colonizers, explorers, and even remarkable traders.

All these groups of ancient professionals created settlements in various parts of the Mediterranean Sea to the advantage of the locals in the area (Tames 145). Similarly, this group took credit for discovering the alphabet that later had the modification of the Greeks in terms of symbols use for sounds. Additionally, the discovery of the alphabet by the Phoenicians led to the replacement of hieroglyphics and cuneiforms hence propelling major advancement. The same period during the majestic reign of the Phoenicians is when there was colonization of areas such as Italy, Sicily, North Africa and Asia Minot by the Greeks.

On the other hand, another formidable group to settle around the Mediterranean Sea entails the Hebrews who were a small nation in comparison to the rest. It is observed that after they had arrived to the Land of Promise meaning Canaan after nearly 4000 years, the Hebrews developed a flourishing state. This achievement was, however, notable in religion whereby the Bible turned to be a valuable mark especially to the Western civilization (Fromkin 90). Furthermore, because of their nomadic lifestyle, the Hebrews made a mark in the absorption of other the native civilizations for their advantage.

This suggests that an older religion such as Judaism offered fundamental principles to the smaller faiths that included Islam and Christianity. Apart from the above powers, there was also the Island of Cyprus that excelled in excavation processes around 4000-3000 B.C. This group had their influence from the Greece in the ancient era after 1500 B.C. In other words, the Cypriot civilization learnt a lot from the Greeks in terms of cultures and other related religions (Tames 145). However, while the settlement of the Phoenicians around the Mediterranean was noted around the 800 B.C., and later followed by the Egyptians and Assyrians, the Island of Cyprus came late.

Alternatively, this gave them a leverage to major in commerce and also become the focal point of the cult of Aphrodite. It is