When it comes to history, there are always endless topics. It seems that books about history, especially Asian history and European history, are as thick as they are. However, Australian John Hearst's minimalist European history is a thin booklet. It is hard to imagine that such a small department can explain the magnificent European history for thousands of years. But this book really did it. So Jane is very beautiful.
In fact, reading history is nothing more than testing the lineage, knowing from beginning to end, taking history as a mirror, and knowing the road that has been taken in the past and the road that may be taken in the future. Therefore, for ordinary people, it is better to know the historical context clearly than to know a bunch of fragmentary and chaotic historical details.
The minimalist history of Europe tells us that Europe has solved several things in history, so Europe has become Europe now, so Europe has left behind China, which is infinitely ahead of it in culture and technology. Some things are:
1、 ? The fusion and combination of ancient Greek and Roman cultures. When I read this, I think that people in China always brag about their cleverness, but the cleverness of people in China seems to be the cleverness of all minds, and it is a little wisdom that can go around. The ancient Greeks were smart and logical, spoke with numbers and knew the perfection of geometry. The simple wisdom of the ancient Greeks was great wisdom. It is this wisdom that laid the foundation of modern science. Einstein said: What is the correct answer? The simplest answer is the closest to the correct answer. ? The Romans conquered Europe, but appreciated the ancient Greek culture and willingly imitated it, forming the Greek-Roman culture. As for China, although there have been wars for thousands of years, it seems that in addition to the Yuan Dynasty and modern times, foreign civilizations have also surrendered to Chinese civilization. But why can you only occasionally see Amin and Qing Dynasty buildings in the ancient city of China, and they may be imitations, while the ancient cities in Europe can be seen everywhere? So much so that Morphy said that he doubted that if ancient Europeans were resurrected, they would not get lost and still find a home. Not only the external civilization, but also the internal civilization. How much has China preserved? How many people in China truly believe in and practice benevolence, righteousness, courtesy, wisdom and faith?
2、 ? Christianity is a branch of Judaism, which was accepted by Rome 400 years after the appearance of Jesus and became a universally accepted religion in Europe. It seems that one reason why Christians preach their teachings is that any country that believes in God is the richest on earth. In fact, it took thousands of years for Europe to become rich after China became a Buddhist. The close relationship between morality and religion is what distinguishes Judaism from other religions. Jesus turned the moral teachings of Judaism into fraternity. It is impossible to say which religion is right or excellent, but the Christian doctrine of love seems to make people more calm.
3、 ? The Germanic barbarians who invaded Rome did not destroy the ancient Greek and Roman civilization, but accepted Christianity. The aggressive spirit of Roman and Germanic wars is the gene of modern European foreign aggression and expansion. The Germanic people did not know how to manage the conquered land, which led to a large number of small European countries and constant disputes, which further became the driving force for their development abroad. Therefore, we should thank European integration. Even if Europeans don't want integration, we should tie them together. Otherwise, these Teutonic people don't know what war to start again.
4、 ? The Reformation and Renaissance in Europe put Europe on the road of rapid development in modern times. Protestantism and old religion did not hesitate to go against Jesus' teachings and used war and killing to solve their doctrinal disputes. Many years later, they finally shook hands and made peace. In any case, the religious reform hit the power of the church, and the church could no longer interfere with the secular regime, which became a stumbling block to the modern democratic system in Europe. The Renaissance allowed some people to enter another culture and tradition through thinking. Once you get over it, everything will be different.
5、 ? Not everything belongs to the king? -the cornerstone of European political power thought makes Europe different from Asia from beginning to end. In Asia, the emperor holds all the power of life and death and exercises his will unscrupulously. If this will happens to be in line with the interests of the people, it is the wise king of the emperors throughout the ages. Unfortunately, he deserves the misfortune of ordinary people. Anyway, being included in the ranks of tyrants after death has no effect on him.
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In fact, after knowing the ins and outs, when I read something about agricultural development, I was already scribbling. So I think "minimalist European history" can be simplified.