The ancient world - a period in human history, between the prehistoric period and the beginning of the Middle Ages in Europe. Other regions of the temporal limits of antiquity may be different from European. For example, the end of the ancient period in China may consider the emergence of the empire Qin, India - Chola empire, and in America - the beginning of European colonization.

Even before our era began to compile lists of striking buildings and structures, which have seen or of which heard. Around 120 BC Greek poet named Antipar Sidon described seven such seats. All of them can find a small area in the eastern Mediterranean - the area who are familiar with ancient Greek writers. Few there were outside. Perhaps this list was a sort of tourist guide. The list of wonders preserved to this day, although of these buildings left standing only one. They are known as the Seven Wonders of Antiquity.

Ancient World

With all the differences between the ancient nations much they shared. Overall economy was based on slavery. The policy is also pursuing a common goal -- subordination of the weaker and smaller nations and the creation of a large state. As a result, II-I millennium BC. e. one after another, form a strong military powers: Babylon and Assyria, the state of Alexander of Macedon, finally, the Roman Empire. There are many similarities between it and the religious beliefs of the ancient peoples. Most of them adhered to polytheism - belief in many gods, personified the forces of nature and basic human activities.

The ancient culture was the first decision is subject to religious problems. Art seen as a means of reminding the permanent presence of deities in the life including in everyday affairs. Therefore secular works were imbued with religious meaning no less than religious architecture or image gods.

Religious tasks assigned and the music. Ancient people with special urgency felt by the impact of music on the most complex and deepest part of the soul. No accident that in most of the musicians were servants of the temples (and sometimes priests) as the ability to play on any instrument is regarded as the supreme, divine nothing. In the performance of music played a huge role improvisation: the ability to improvise was perceived as a state of highest proximity musician to the deity. Perhaps that is why the ancient authors have always tried to write his works, and the great epoch in the three millennia remained negligible number of works.