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Asiatic peoples can be considered in some detail by examination of their history. They originated in prehistoric times, and the first civilizations were Asiatic. |
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In antiquity, the ancient civilizations of the Sumerians, Babylonians, Egptians, Persians, and the Harappan civilizations and early Chinese were prominent. In classical and medieval times, although some of these were conquered by Greeks and Romans, the Persian Indian, and Chinese civilizations were most prominent. Those of the Middle East were supplanted as Islam arose and spread widely throghout Asia. In modern times, Western Civilization had an increasing impact, but in the latest century, these peoples reasserted their political independence and identity, while retaining much of Western culture. Their future has scarcely been examined. |
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Middle Eastern peoples can be examined in prehistory, and are the best known of all peoples in antiquity. They were prominent in classical and medieval times, but somewhat less so in modern times. South Asian peoples are harder to examine in prehistory or antiquity, but developed a major civilization in classical and medieval times and are important in modern times. Central Asian peoples are difficult to examine in prehistory, antiquity, and although they did not develop a major civilization, were infuential in classical and medieval times. They are less known in modern times. Oriental peoples can be followed in prehistory. They began to develop a major civilization in antiquity and can be followed through classical and medieval times. They are highly important in modern times. Southeast Asian and Oceanic peoples are difficult to follow in prehistory and antiquity. They began to develop civilizations in classical and medieval times and have been influential in modern times.
Middle Eastern peoples are the best known peoples of prehistory. There is less direct evidence of peoples from South Asia, Central Asia, the Orient, or Southeast Asia.
The limits of human habitation in early prehistory are not clear. I know little of the Middle East in this period. There is some evidence of pre-modern man in South Asia. I know very little of Central Asia. There is evidence of pre-modern man in Oriental peoples including Peking man in China, and in southeast Asia, including Java man in Indonesia. I do not yet have details of the Pliocene, early Pleistocene, early mid Pleistocene, late mid Pleistocene, or late Pleistocene periods.
In middle prehistory, modern humans may have originated in Africa or Asia, and spread into neighboring regions. Among Middle Eastern peoples, I have few details on the peopling and settling of Iran, Turkey, or Egypt. The ancestors of South Asian peoples were present, but I have no details for them. I have no detail on Central Asia. I have no details on the earliest Oriental peoples, including the habitation of China or Japan. I have no details on the earliest Southeast Asian peoples. I do not yet have details for the period beginning 50,000 years ago, the period beginning 40,000 years ago, the period beginning 30,000 years ago, or the period beginning 20,000 years ago.
In late prehistory, this seems to have included the origins of agriculture in much of the world. The forefront of cultural advance seems to have been in the Middle east. There is significant evidence of Neolithic settlement in South Asia during this period. Only scanty information is available for Central Asia. Oriental peoples seem to have developed later. Southeast Asian peoples may have developed a little earlier than the Orient, but details are unclear. I do not yet have details for the early 8th millennium BC, the late 8th millennium BC, the early 7th millennium BC, the late 7th millennium BC, the early 6th millennium BC, or the late 6th millennium BC.
The pace of cultural development speeded up considerably in this period. Middle eastern peoples are the best known and best developed. South Asian peoples were particularly prominent in this period. Central Asian peoples were present but are not well known, Oriental peoples were among the most important. I have little information on Southeast Asian peoples.
Early roots of civilization had appeared by the 5th Millennium BC. In the Middle East, there were neolithic farming communities in Iran, Anatolia, and Egypt. Among South Asian peoples, at least one important settlement had begun to practice metalworking. I know little of Central Asia during this period. Among Oriental peoples, the neolithic Yang Shao people of China are significant. I know little of Japan in this period. I know little of Southeast Asian peoples during this period. I do not yet have details of the early 5th millennium BC, the early mid 5th millennium BC, the mid 5th millennium BC, the late mid 5th millennium BC, or the late 5th millennium BC.
Civilization continued to develop through the 4th millennium BC. Civilization continued to develop in the Middle East, as bronze age metallurgy, buildings, and cities began to appear. In Egypt the Upper and Lower parts of Egypt were unified in the Old Kingdom, the Pyramids were begun, and written history originated. Among South Asian peoples, there were neolithic peoples practicing agriculture and metalworking. I have little information about South Asian peoples. Among Oriental peoples, the neolithic peoples of the Yang Shao in China can be considered, as well as some peoples of Japan. I have no direct information about peoples of Southeast Asia. I do not yet have details of the early 4th millennium BC, the early mid 4th millennium BC, the mid 4th millennium BC, or the late 4th millennium BC.
In the 3rd millennium BC, Various advanced civilizations appeared in the Middle East. Among South Asian peoples the Bronze age Harappan or Indus Vally civilization became prominent. I have little information about Central Asian peoples. Among Oriental peoples particularly in China, pottery came into use. I have no specific information about Japan. I have no specific information about peoples of southeast Asia. I do not yet have details of the early 3rd millennium BC, the early mid 3rd millennium BC, the mid 3rd millennium BC, the late mid 3rd millennium BC, or the late 3rd millennum BC.
In the 2nd millennium, Iron age civilizations appeared in various regions. Among Middle Eastern peoples, advanced civilizations in Egypt, Anatolia, and Persia struggled for power. Among South Asian peoples, the Harappan civilization collapsed, and was succeeded by what is called an Indo-Aryan synthesis. So far I have little information about Central Asian peoples. Among Oriental peoples, the Bronze Age Shang civilization appeared in China, followed by the western Chou dynasy. I have no information on Japan during this period. In South Korea, by legend the Gosojeon kingdom was present. I have little specific information for Southeast Asian peoples. I do not yet have details of the early 2nd millennium BC, the early mid 2nd millennium BC, the mid 2nd millennium BC, the late mid 2nd millennium BC, or the late 2nd millennium BC.
A substantial body of history dates to the early first millennium. Middle Eastern peoples were dominated by the Achaemenid Persian empire. South Asian peoples developed important centers of civilization. Bronze age cultures spread into Central India, and Iron Age culture appears to have begin in Pakistan. I know little of Central Asian peoples. Oriental peoples continued to develop bronze age cultures. In China, the eastern Chou flourished, followed by the Warring states period. In Japan, according to legend, the first emperors began to rule. It is believed that bronze working entered Korea, including South Korea. Southeast Asian peoples were relatively obscure. I do not yet have details of the 10th century BC, the 9th century BC, the 8th century BC, the 7th century BC, or the 6th century BC.
Asiatic peoples in general remained culturally in advance of western peoples. The Middle eastern nations figure prominently. The South Asian nations of were responsible for important religious developments. Central Asia was also important. The Oriental peoples including China, Japan and (South) Korea developed significant civilizations. Little is known of Southeast Asia, including the Southeast Asian mainland, Southeast Asian Archipelagoes, or Australia.
The Middle East was in constant struggle and partly submerged in western influence. The Persian empire predominated until it was defeated by the Greeks under Alexander, and the western half of it was incorporated into the Roman Empire. Anatolia was a principal center of conflict between the Persians and the Greeks, and was later conquered by the Romans. Egypt was conquered by the Persians, then the Greeks, and then the Romans. North Africa was a center of conflict and was eventually conquered by the Romans. Among South Asian peoples, In India, the visit of Alexander was followed by the notable reign of Asoka. Pakistan was at least partly ruled by the Mauryan empire. In Bangladesh, the dominant rulers were Buddhist. Central Asian peoples were influenced by the Persian peoples and the Chinese, and the silk road across Central Asia began to develop. Among Oriental peoples, in China, the short lived Qin dynasty was followed by the Han. Confucianism began to become infuential. In Japan, history was not yet written. I have little information on South Korea. In Southeast Asia, in Burma, the Mon people acquired some of Indian culture. I do not yet have details for the 5th century BC, the 4th century BC, the 3rd century BC, the 2nd century BC, or the first century BC.
In late classical times, conflict in the Middle east continued, while wave after wave of warlike nomadic peoples beset the neighboring civilizations. In Burma, the Pyu people established a city state. The city of Osaka grew as a trading port. Among Middle Eastern peoples, Turkey was ruled by the Roman empire, then the Eastern Roman or Byzantine empire. In Egypt, the Roman empire, and later the Eastern Roman or Byzantine empire ruled the country. North Africa was invaded from Europe as the Western Roman empire collapsed. In Iran, the older Parthian empire was replaced by the Sassanids. Mesopotamia came between Byzantine and Parthian or Sassanid rule. Among South Asian peoples, the imperial Gupta dynasty ruled much of India. In Pakistan, the Mauryan empire had come to an end. In Bangladesh, civilization seemed to decline somewhat. The site of Delhi was inhabited. In Central Asia including Uzbekistan, the Silk road was in use. Among Oriental peoples, the Han dynasty of China broke up, and written history in Japan and Korea began. In Southeast Asia, in Mainland southeast Asia historical kingdoms can be identified, though some of them are semi-legendary. I do not have details of the Southeast Asian archipelagoes. I do not yet have details of the 1st century CE, the 2nd century CE, the 3rd century CE, the 4th century CE, or the 5th century CE.
In the Middle East, Turkey was ruled by the Byzantine empire, which reached its height. In Arabia, the new religion of Islam arose and expanded by conquest throughout the Middle East. The Mesopotamian peoples of what is now Iraq were conquered by Islam. Egypt was taken from the Byzantine empire by the Islamic conquest, and a dynasty called the Fatamids came to power. Cairo was founded as an Islamic city. North African peoples were also quickly conquered by Islam. In Iran, the Sassanid empire was conquered by the Omayyad caliphate of Islam, which was in turn conquered by the Abbasid caliphate. In South Asia, India absorbed numerous invasions. In Pakistan, Islam may have entered the region. I have no details on Bangladesh. The site of Delhi was inhabited. Dacca was founded. Among Oriental peoples, in China, the Song dynasty arose. In Japan, Buddhism reached Japan, and the Japanese began to assert cultural indepencence from China. The site of Tokyo was inhabited. Osaka was briefly the capital of Japan. In Southeast Asia, In Indonesia, Buddhism entered the region. I have no information on the Philippines. I have no information on Vietnam. Thailand was little known in this period. In Burma. the Pyu capital was destroyed, and the Mon and Pagan people established kingdoms. Jakarta grew as a port city.
I lack details of the 6th century CE, the 7th century CE, the 9th century CE, and the 9th century CE. For the 10th century CE I have minimal connections to South Asian and Oriental peoples.
The Mongol peoples from Central Asia invaded all neighboring peoples for a brief period. I have no details on Burma. Dacca grew. Among Middle Eastern peoples, In Turkey, the Byzantine empire was reduced by the Seljuk Turks, and finally conquered by the Ottoman Turks, becoming the center of the Ottoman Empire. In Egypt, the Mamluk dynasty was absorbed into the Ottoman empire. Cairo became the capital of Egypt. Mesopotamian peoples were invaded by the Mongols. In Iran, the Seljuk Turks conquered Northern Iran, and later the Mongols conquered these peoples. Arabian peoples remained insulated from these invasions. North African was being islamicized. Among South Asian peoples, in India, there were invasions by Islamic rulers and desendants of the Mongols, but these left little permanent impact. In Pakistan, there were invasions by the Mongols and the Timurids. In Bangladesh, Islam entered the region. Delhi was founded as a city. In Central Asia, the Silk Road was closed by Mongol invations. Oriental peoples were invaded and otherwise influenced by the Mongols. In Southeast Asia, I little information except that the first of the modern Thai kingdoms was founded in Mainland southeast Asia. I have no details for the Southeast Asian Islands.
The 11th century has connections to South Asian peoples, Oriental peoples, and Southeast Asian peoples. The 12th century has connections to South Asian, Oriental, and Southeast Asian peoples. The 13th century including South Asian, Oriental, and Southeast Asian peoples can be considered. In the 14th Century, South Asian peoples including India were ruled by Islamic sultanates. Among Oriental peoples, in China the Ming dynasty succeded th Yuan or Mongol dynasty. For the 15th century, I also do not yet have details for South Asian peoples including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, Oriental peoples including China, or Southeast Asian peoples including Indonesia.
The pace of cultural change was slower among the asiatic peoples than in Western civilization, and Europeans and their colonies began to dominate the Asiatic peoples. The Middle East resisted European influence for some times. South Asia came principally under the rule of the British. Much of Central asia came under Russian rule. The Orient resisted western polical domination, but was culturally influenced. Southeast Asia was largely divided among several European nations. These processes can be followed through the 16th century, the 17th century, the 18th century and the 19th century. In the 20th century, the Middle East was fragmented, but mostly politically independent. South Asia became independent of the British. Central Asian peoples were largely under Russian and Chinese rule. Oriental peoples began to adopt parts of Western Civilization. Southeast Asia became politically independent.
The future can be somewhat examined through Middle Eastern peoples including Levantine peoples, Egypt, Turkey, Persian peoples, North African peoples, Arabian peoples, and Mesopotamian peoples South Asian peoples including those of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka are important. Central Asia can be connected. Oriental peoples including those of China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and North Korea. Southeast Asian peoples including Mainland Southeast Asia, the Southest Asian Archipelagoes and Australia can be considered. The near future can be examined using Middle Eastern peoples including Levantine peoples, Egypt, Turkey, Persian peoples, North African peoples, Arabian peoples, and Mesopotamian peoples. South Asian peoples including those of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka are important. Central Asian peoples including Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are connected. Oriental peoples including those of China, Taiwan, Hong Kong Japan, South Korea, and North Korea can be considered. Southeast Asian peoples including Mainland Southeast Asia, the Southeast Asian Archipelagoes, and Australia can also be considered. Next month can be examined using Middle Eastern peoples such as those of Egypt, Turkey, Persian peoples, North African peoples, South Asian peoples including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, the Orient including China, Japan, and South Korean, and Southeast Asia including Mainland Southeast Asia and the Southeast Asian Archipelagoes. October 2009 is connected, and November 2009 can be. The next quarter including South Asian peoples such as those of India and Pakistan, Oriental peoples such as those of China, and Southeast Asia can be considered. December 2009, January 2010, February 2010, and March 2010 can be considered. Next year can be examined. The middle future is being considered. Middle Eastern peoples including Egypt, Turkey, and Persian peoples, South Asian peoples including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, Oriental peoples including China, Japan, and South Korea, and Southeast Asian peoples including Mainland Southeast Asia and the Southeast Asian Archipelagoes can be considered. This includes the next five years, next twenty years, next century, and next five centuries. The far future has not yet been closely examined.