Read the text about ancient nations that shaped history. Match each statement with the correct nation. Each nation can be used only once.
Several national identities are relatively modern, but certain communities have cultural traditions that date back thousands of years. Long before the creation of modern states, ancient civilizations were developing systems of writing, philosophy, religion, science, and government. These early societies influenced not only their own regions but also the wider development of human civilization. Many ideas that shape modern life today can be traced back to these ancient cultures.
The Italians
The Italians
Much of modern Italy was once the centre of the powerful Roman Empire, which became one of the most influential civilizations in history. At its height, the Roman Empire controlled vast territories across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Roman engineers built an extensive network of roads that connected distant regions of the empire. They also constructed impressive aqueducts that carried water over long distances into cities. Many of these engineering achievements were so durable that parts of them still exist today. Roman law became another important legacy of this civilization. The Romans developed legal principles that influenced later European legal systems and even modern laws in many countries. Latin, the language of the Romans, later evolved into several modern languages, including Italian, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. Because of this, Roman culture continues to shape communication and culture across Europe.
The Chinese
Chinese civilization is widely considered one of the longest continuous cultures in the world. Archaeological evidence shows that organized societies existed in China more than three thousand years ago, and written records from early dynasties have helped historians understand how these societies functioned. Ancient Chinese scholars were deeply interested in philosophy and ethics. One of the most influential thinkers was Confucius, whose teachings focused on respect for elders, education, responsibility, and social harmony. These ideas shaped Chinese society for centuries and still influence cultural values today. China also developed one of the world’s oldest writing systems that is still in use. Although the characters have evolved over time, modern Chinese writing can still be connected to symbols used thousands of years ago. This remarkable continuity makes Chinese culture one of the most historically stable civilizations in human history. In addition to philosophy and writing, Chinese civilization produced important technological innovations such as paper, printing, and the compass, which later spread to other parts of the world.
The Portuguese
Portugal became particularly influential during the Age of Exploration, a period in the 15th and 16th centuries when European sailors began travelling far beyond the continent. Portuguese navigators were among the first Europeans to explore sea routes around Africa and across the Atlantic Ocean. Their voyages opened new trade connections between Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Explorers such as Vasco da Gama successfully reached India by sea, creating a direct trading route that transformed international commerce. Portuguese sailors also helped improve navigation techniques and ship design. Although Portugal is a relatively small country, its maritime exploration played a major role in connecting different parts of the world and shaping global trade networks.
The Egyptians
Ancient Egyptian civilization developed along the River Nile, whose regular floods created fertile land suitable for farming. This reliable agricultural system allowed Egyptian society to grow and support large cities and monumental building projects. The Egyptians are especially famous for constructing enormous pyramids and temples that still attract millions of visitors today. These structures demonstrate advanced knowledge of engineering and organization. Egyptians also developed a system of writing known as hieroglyphics, which used symbolic pictures to represent sounds and ideas. This writing system allowed them to record religious beliefs, historical events, and administrative information. Egyptian society also made important advances in medicine, astronomy, and mathematics. Their understanding of the stars helped them create calendars that organized agricultural and religious activities.
1. used their observations of the night sky to develop systems for organising farming and religious events throughout the year.
2. were influenced by a philosopher who taught that social stability depends on responsible behaviour and strong ethical principles.
3. advanced the methods and technology that made long-distance ocean travel possible.
Atbilžu varianti:
The Portuguese
The Italians
The Egyptians
The Chinese
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