As far as we know, time machines do not exist. Though technology continues to advance, it is not that far yet, and unless they are living in hiding … no one from the past has invented one to come to the present. But what if they have? What if people as far back as the ancient world could come to see us now? All the phones, computers, TVs and tablets, they would be in awe — for about a day.
Think about it, and really be honest … would they be bored in our world?
The ancient world is most commonly made up of the Romans, Greeks, Aztecs, Egyptians and Persians, each civilization comprised of their own rich and interesting culture. We’re talking about the beginnings of civilization here. These people founded systems of life that we still practice today. Not only that, but they did so while exploring art, literature, language, science and so much more: the things that arguably make life so interesting.
Architecture, Art and Arguing
In the ancient world, buildings of wonder were being crafted. The Greeks were creating the Parthenon and theaters, while the Egyptians were crafting the Pyramids. The Romans were building the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the baths, while both the Persians and Aztecs were developing their own form of architecture. Much of these works still remain today to be on display for the modern world to bask in awe of.
That is certainly not all though, not even close. In ancient Greece, philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle and Socrates were challenging people to think deeper. They dedicated their lives to looking beyond. Though we are not implying you should question your entire life, but when was the last time you challenged yourself to ask the deep, hard-hitting questions and look beyond the initial answer? Maybe, even discuss it with your friends. Have you ever?
In all of these worlds, there was also the study of art and literature. A value in their lives that seems to have been lost in our modern world for many. The Greeks and the Aztecs crafted works of writing and poetry, many to be worshipped for their Gods, and others for pure entertainment. The Persians and Egyptians spent many hours on sculptures, paintings and pieces of jewelry. As did the Romans, who also worked on mosaics and fresco wall paintings. Art, writing and music were a center point in the ancient world’s cultures.
What Do You Guys Do For Fun Around Here?
Would a visitor from the ancient world be shocked when they found out some people have never tried to write poetry before … or even read it? In a modern world so connected, have we lost our connection to creation? Many of us would rather scroll for hours watching a tiny screen than read a book. Some might even choose math homework over painting a landscape. Oftentimes it seems that the noncreators outweigh the creators today, but there was a time where that statistic would be flipped.
So we ask again, would they be bored in our world?
Would the dwindling number of poets concern them? Would the architecture leave them unimpressed? Maybe the screens everywhere would give them headaches, or the endless hours spent inside to make them feel trapped.
Let’s Get Prepared
Do not get us wrong, we as a society have come a long way, and certainly continue to advance. This is not to dismiss the progress made or the values we uphold. However, there certainly is a lack of interest in the parts that previously made life interesting. We spend countless hours of the day staring at screens, sometimes without even realizing we’re doing it.
Maybe we could start challenging ourselves to dedicate some of those hours to other things. Things that could add some creative thinking into our lives. Whether that be making a piece of art, attempting to write poetry or even simply reading a book, anything at all works. And then maybe, just maybe, when that time machine is invented and the people of the ancient world pay us a visit, we might be able to convince them to stay just a little bit longer!
Tweet us at @VALLEYmag, on whether or not you think the ancient world would find us boring!
