Is the Mediterranean in the Old World?

In the context of archaeology and world history, the term “Old World” includes those parts of the world which were in (indirect) cultural contact from the Bronze Age onwards, resulting in the parallel development of the early civilizations, mostly in the temperate zone between roughly the 45th and 25th parallels north.

How old is the Mediterranean?

Geological evidence indicates that around 5.9 million years ago, the Mediterranean was cut off from the Atlantic and was partly or completely desiccated over a period of some 600,000 years during the Messinian salinity crisis before being refilled by the Zanclean flood about 5.3 million years ago.

What does Mediterranean mean in world history?

The Mediterranean Sea was the central superhighway of transport, trade and cultural exchange between diverse peoples encompassing three continents: Western Asia, North Africa, and Southern Europe.

Which civilization flourished in the Mediterranean region?

Two of the most notable Mediterranean civilizations in classical antiquity were the Greek city states and the Phoenicians. The Greeks expanded throughout the Black Sea and south through the Red Sea. The Phoenicians spread through the western Mediterranean reaching North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula.

What was Europe originally called?

Other scholars have argued that the origin for the name Europe is to be found in the Semitic Akkadian language that was spoken in ancient Mesopotamia. They point to the Akkadian word erebu, meaning “sunset,” and reason that, from the Mesopotamian perspective, the western-setting sun descended on Europe.

Is Italy Old World or New world?

Generally, the list of countries considered part of the old world are: Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, and Germany. And the list of countries considered part of the new world are: USA, Canada, Argentina, Chile, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

Why is it called Mediterranean?

The term Mediterranean derives from the Latin mediterraneus, ‘inland’ (medius, ‘middle’ + terra, ‘land, earth’), in Greek “mesogeios”. It was, for example, commonly called Mare Nostrum (Latin, Our Sea), and occasionally Mare Internum by the Romans.

What is Mediterranean known for?

As for the Mediterranean Sea, its clear blue waters are famous throughout the world. It harbours a tremendous diversity of marine organisms, many of which are endemic to the region. It is estimated that the Mediterranean contains 8–9 % of all the world’s marine creatures.

Where was the first important Mediterranean civilization?

The Mediterranean Basin has been the cradle of world civilization since the first settlements in Jericho in 9000 BC.

Is Bulgaria a Mediterranean country?

The Mediterranean countries are those that surround the Mediterranean Sea. While not having a coastline in the Mediterranean, Portugal, Andorra, San Marino, Vatican City, Kosovo, Serbia, Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Jordan are often included on the list of Mediterranean countries.

What is the ancient Mediterranean?

Med·i·ter·ra·ne·an. The region surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. Several important ancient civilizations flourished in the region, which was dominated for centuries by Phoenicia , Carthage , Greece, Rome, and the Byzantine, Arab, and Ottoman empires.

What are the ancient Mediterranean civilizations?

Two of the most notable Mediterranean civilizations in classical antiquity were the Greek city states and the Phoenicians. The Greeks expanded throughout the Black Sea and south through the Red Sea.

Why is the Mediterranean Sea important to history?

The Mediterranean Sea was important to the Roman Empire in that it was a vital trade link with other parts of the Empire, especially the Middle East and North Africa. As Rome grew, it needed the grains and other food from the Levant, and African animals were considered status symbols in the Roman royal courts.

What are the Mediterranean religions?

Early Mediterranean Religions Similar to Christianity The Cult of Asclepius. Similar to Jesus, the Greek god Asclepius was said to be the son of a god and a mortal — in this case, Apollo and Isis-Osiris-Horus Myth. Other religious stories share similarities with the New Testament descriptions of Jesus, most notably the story of Isis, Osiris and Horus. Philosophy as Religion – Stoicism.

Is the Mediterranean in the Old World? In the context of archaeology and world history, the term “Old World” includes those parts of the world which were in (indirect) cultural contact from the Bronze Age onwards, resulting in the parallel development of the early civilizations, mostly in the temperate zone between roughly the 45th and…