Western Civilization to 1500

Miller 1

Elizabeth Miller

p 23 February 2009

Ancient Near East and Ancient Greece : Geography and War

The natural topography and resources of the Ancient Near East differed from that of Ancient Greece in their desirability . Both populations were situated along the Mediterranean Sea , but immersed in dissimilar environments . The former was nestled in the lush land of the Fertile Crescent . The valley 's rich soil and accessibility created an idealistic landscape for the nurture of civilization . However , these same two features were also cause for consistent invasion and unwanted

br foreign attention . War was a predominant way of life in the culture of Ancient Near East residents , whose ownership was contested again and again

The Old Testament , an historical record of those who lived in the Ancient Near East , identifies Israel as the rightful owners of the Promised Land . With holy enthusiasm , they waged war to capture this fertile land . Joshua , Israel 's commander , led troops into Jericho and took the city by unconventional means . This began a series of successive victories that eventually (and temporarily ) gained them control over the region (Gentz 909 . To this day , wars and scheming continue over the possession of this historically , agriculturally and spiritually rich area of the world

Like the Ancient Near East , Ancient Greece benefited from a diverse topography of forests , bays , gulfs and mountain ranges but comparatively , it lacked fecundity

Miller 2

Wheat was able to grow in a few fertile low lands , but the majority of the land was...