SOURCE: UYGHUR BOOKSHELF
Several civilisations have changed their names throughout history, either due to shifts in political power, cultural influence, or historical reinterpretations. These changes reflect not only the evolving identities of these civilisations but also how they were perceived by both outsiders and the people within. Changing a civilisation's name can also symbolize significant transformations in its culture, governance, or geographical boundaries. Here are some notable examples of civilizations whose names changed over time.
1. Mesopotamia
• Original Name: Sumer, Akkad, Babylon, Assyria
• Current Name: Mesopotamia (meaning "between rivers")
Mesopotamia, often referred to as the "cradle of civilization," is a region that once included powerful civilizations such as the Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians. The term "Mesopotamia" itself comes from the Greek mesos (middle) and potamos (river), meaning "between rivers," referring to the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. While the civilizations within this region had distinct names, the collective region is now known as Mesopotamia due to the later historical perspective.
2. Persia
• Original Name: Persia
• Current Name: Iran
For over two millennia, the civilization in what is now modern-day Iran was known to the Western world as Persia, a name derived from the ancient Persian Empire, especially the region of Persis (modern-day Fars).
However, in 1935, the government of Iran requested that the international community refer to the country by its indigenous name, "Iran," which means "Land of the Aryans." This name change reflected a desire to assert national identity and break from colonial-era terminologies.
3. Carthage
• Original Name: Carthage
• Current Name: Tunis (modern city of Tunisia)
Carthage, a powerful Phoenician city-state located in what is now Tunisia, was destroyed by Rome in 146 BC following the Punic Wars. After the Romans rebuilt the city, they renamed it Colonia Julia Carthago, but the city later evolved into the modern-day Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. Carthage’s name no longer exists as a political entity, but the legacy of the civilization still echoes in modern Tunisia.
4. Byzantine Empire
• Original Name: Byzantine Empire
• Current Name: Eastern Roman Empire
The term "Byzantine Empire" is a modern designation for what was originally known as the Eastern Roman Empire, centered around the city of Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul).
The name "Byzantine" was coined by later historians, referring to Byzantium, the original Greek colony that later became Constantinople. The people of the empire never referred to themselves as "Byzantines," and instead saw themselves as Romans (Ῥωμαῖοι, Romaioi), continuing the legacy of the Roman Empire.
5. India
• Original Name: Bharata, Hindustan
• Current Name: India
India’s name has evolved through various stages. In ancient times, the region was referred to as Bharata, named after the legendary king Bharata in Hindu tradition. The name Hindustan was later used, derived from the Persian word Hind, referring to the lands beyond the Indus River. When the British colonized the subcontinent, they used the name "India," which came from the Latin Indus, derived from the ancient Greek name for the Indus River. After independence in 1947, India retained this name as its official designation.
6. China
• Original Name: Zhongguo (Middle Kingdom)
• Current Name: China
The name "China" comes from the Sanskrit Cina (derived from the Qin Dynasty, 221–206 BC), which was used by ancient peoples from outside China to refer to the region. However, the people of China have always referred to their country as Zhongguo (the "Middle Kingdom"), reflecting their perception of being the center of civilization. The term "China" is a foreign name that eventually became the dominant designation in the West.
7. Maya Civilization
• Original Name: Maya Civilization (No unified name)
• Current Name: Maya Civilization
The Maya civilization, spanning much of present-day Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador, did not refer to themselves as the "Maya" or use a single unifying name for their culture. The term "Maya" is derived from the name of one of the civilization's key cities, Mayapan. The modern term is a construct used by historians and archaeologists to categorize the many city-states and cultures that flourished in the region.
8. Egypt
• Original Name: Kemet, Misr
• Current Name: Egypt
Ancient Egypt referred to itself as Kemet, meaning "the black land," a reference to the fertile soil along the Nile River. The name Misr was used by the Arabs after their conquest of Egypt in the 7th century and is still used today as the Arabic name for the country. The name Egypt comes from the Greek Aigyptos, which is thought to be derived from the Egyptian name Hwt-ka-Ptah (the temple of the soul of Ptah), referring to the city of Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt.
9. The Holy Roman Empire
• Original Name: Holy Roman Empire
• Current Name: Germany (and other states)
The Holy Roman Empire, which lasted from 800 to 1806 AD, was a political entity centered in Central Europe. The name "Holy Roman Empire" was used to describe a multi-ethnic complex of territories in Europe, which included modern-day Germany, Austria, Italy, and several other states. The term "Holy Roman Empire" was coined in the Middle Ages, and although it was never unified under a single government, it eventually disintegrated in 1806, leading to the emergence of modern nation-states like Germany.
Conclusion
The changing names of civilizations throughout history often reflect deeper shifts in their political power, cultural identity, or external perceptions. These name changes serve as a reminder of how societies redefine themselves in the face of internal and external forces, and how modern historical perspectives shape our understanding of the past. Understanding these name changes helps us better appreciate the complexity of historical identities and their transformations over time.
Here are some references for further reading on civilizations whose names changed:
1. "The History of the Ancient World" by Susan Wise Bauer (2007)
This book provides a comprehensive look at the ancient civilizations of the world and the changes they underwent, including shifts in names and identities.
2. "The Oxford History of Historical Writing, Volume 1: Beginnings to AD 600" by Andrew Feldherr (2011)
This text covers the early histories of various civilizations and explores how they were perceived and named by outsiders, as well as how their names changed over time.
3. "A History of Ancient Egypt" by John Romer (2012)
This book offers insight into ancient Egypt, discussing how it was referred to by its inhabitants and others, including the evolution from "Kemet" to "Egypt."
4. "Persian Fire: The First World Empire and the Battle for the West" by Tom Holland (2005)
This book delves into the history of Persia and explains how the name change from Persia to Iran reflects a significant shift in the region's identity.
5. "The History of China" by M. Loewe (2009)
This text outlines the evolution of the name "China" and explores how the civilization’s name transitioned over the centuries.
6. "The Ancient Maya: The Rise and Fall of a Civilization" by Arthur Demarest (2004)
In this book, Demarest discusses the ancient Maya civilization and how historians labeled the various city-states of the Maya region.
7. "The Holy Roman Empire" by Peter H. Wilson (2016)
Wilson’s work covers the Holy Roman Empire, examining its complexities, territorial changes, and how the modern concept of "Germany" evolved after its dissolution.
8. "The World of the Ancient Egyptians" by Toby Wilkinson (2000)
This book provides an in-depth study of ancient Egyptian history, including its self-designation as Kemet and the foreign-derived term "Egypt."
9. "The Greco-Roman World: A History" by M. T. Boatwright (2008)
Boatwright discusses various empires and civilizations that changed names over time, with a special focus on how classical civilizations in the Mediterranean were categorized.
Journals:
• Journal of World History
• The Cambridge Ancient History
• The International Journal of Historical Studies
These references provide a deeper dive into how different civilizations' names evolved due to cultural, political, or historical factors.
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#CivilizationNames #HistoricalNameChanges #CulturalIdentity #HistoricalPerspectives #WorldHistory #AncientCivilizations
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24/12/2024: 122.57 p.m
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