Territories of ancient European states. The most ancient states of the world

Territories of ancient European states.  The most ancient states of the world
Territories of ancient European states. The most ancient states of the world

People began to unite into large and small states a long time ago - at least 6 thousand years ago! But even such “serious structures” as states do not always live long...

We know most of the ancient states only from the records of historians, and about others we know nothing. Few of the famous and powerful cities, countries and empires have survived to this day - some of them do not even have their names left.

But, of course, there are also the most ancient states in the world, which appeared thousands of years ago and still exist. In a modified form or with a modified territory - it doesn’t matter.

Let's remember at least six states that originated in the Ancient world and still proudly bear the name given to the country their ancestors.

Top 6 most ancient states

Ancient Armenia

The history of Armenian statehood goes back about 2,500 years, although its origins should be sought even deeper - in the kingdom of Arme-Shubria (XII century BC), which, according to historian Boris Piotrovsky, at the turn of the 7th and 6th centuries BC. e. turned into a Scythian-Armenian association.

Ancient Armenia is a motley conglomerate of kingdoms and states that existed simultaneously or succeeded one another. Tabal, Melid, the Mush kingdom, the Hurrian, Luwian and Urartian states - the descendants of their inhabitants eventually merged with the Armenian people.

The term “Armenia” is first found in the Behistun Inscription (521 BC) of the king of Persia, Darius I, who so designated the Persian satrapy on the territory of the disappeared Urartu. Later, in the valley of the Araks River, the Ararat kingdom arose, which served as the basis for the formation of three others - Sophen, Lesser Armenia and Greater Armenia. From about the 3rd century BC. e. center of political and cultural life the Armenian people moved to the Ararat Valley.

Ancient Iran

The history of Iran is one of the most ancient and eventful. Based on written sources, scientists suggest that Iran is at least 5,000 years old. However, in Iranian history they include such a proto-state formation as Elam, located in the southwest of modern Iran and mentioned in the Bible.

The first most significant Iranian state was the Median kingdom, founded in the 7th century BC. e. During its heyday, the Median kingdom was significantly larger than the ethnographic region of modern Iran, Media. In the Avesta this region was called the “Country of the Aryans.”

The Iranian-speaking tribes of the Medes, according to one version, moved here from Central Asia, according to another - from North Caucasus and gradually assimilated the local non-Aryan tribes. The Medes very quickly settled throughout western Iran and established control over it. Over time, having grown stronger, they were able to defeat the Assyrian Empire.

The beginnings of the Medes were continued by the Persian Empire, spreading its influence over vast territories from Greece to India.

Ancient China

According to Chinese scientists, Chinese civilization is about 5,000 years old. But written sources speak of a slightly younger age - 3600 years. This is the beginning of the Shang Dynasty. Then the system was laid administrative management, which developed and improved by successive dynasties.

Chinese civilization developed in the basin of two large rivers - the Yellow River and the Yangtze, which determined its agricultural character. It was developed agriculture that distinguished China from its neighbors, who lived in less favorable steppe and mountainous regions.

The state of the Shang dynasty was quite active military policy, which allowed her to expand her territories to the limits that included the modern Chinese provinces of Henan and Shanxi.

By the 11th century BC, the Chinese were already using lunar calendar and invented the first examples of hieroglyphic writing. At the same time, a professional army was formed in China, using bronze weapons and war chariots.

Ancient Greece

Greece has every reason to be considered the cradle European civilization. About 5,000 years ago, the Minoan culture arose on the island of Crete, which later spread to the mainland through the Greeks. It was on the island that the beginnings of statehood were indicated, in particular, the first writing appeared, and diplomatic and trade relations with the East emerged.

Appeared at the end of the 3rd millennium BC. e. The Aegean civilization is already fully demonstrating state entities. Thus, the first states in the Aegean Sea basin - in Crete and the Peloponnese - were built according to the type of eastern despotism with a developed bureaucratic apparatus. Ancient Greece is rapidly growing and spreading its influence to the Northern Black Sea region, Asia Minor and Southern Italy.

Ancient Greece is often called Hellas, but local residents extend the self-name to the modern state. It is important for them to emphasize the historical connection with that era and culture, which essentially shaped the entire European civilization.

Ancient Egypt

At the turn of the 4th-3rd millennium BC, several dozen cities of the upper and lower Nile were united under the rule of two rulers. From this moment the 5000-year history of Egypt begins.

Soon a war broke out between Upper and Lower Egypt, which resulted in the victory of the king of Upper Egypt. Under the rule of the pharaoh, a strong state is formed here, gradually spreading its influence to neighboring lands.

The 27-century dynastic period of Ancient Egypt is the golden time of ancient Egyptian civilization. A clear administrative and management structure is being formed in the state, advanced technologies for that time are being developed, and art and architecture are rising to unattainable heights.

Over the past centuries, a lot has changed in Egypt - religion, language, culture. The Arab conquest of the country of the pharaohs radically turned the vector of development of the state. However, it is the ancient Egyptian heritage that is business card modern Egypt.

Ancient Japan

The first mention of Ancient Japan is contained in Chinese historical chronicles of the 1st century AD. e. In particular, it says that there were 100 small countries in the archipelago, 30 of which established relations with China.

The reign of the first Japanese Emperor Jimmu supposedly began in 660 BC. e. It was he who wanted to establish power over the entire archipelago. However, some historians consider Jimma a semi-legendary person.

Japan is a unique country, which, unlike Europe and the Middle East, has developed for many centuries without any serious social and political upheavals. This is largely due to its geographical isolation, which, in particular, protected Japan from the Mongol invasion.

If we take into account the dynastic continuity that has been uninterrupted for more than 2.5 thousand years and the absence of fundamental changes in the country’s borders, Japan can be called a state with the most ancient origins.

The first states appeared about 6,000 years ago, but not all of them were able to survive to this day. Some have disappeared forever, while others only have their names left. I would like to point out right away that this article provides far from full list countries with rich history. Below we list six states that, to one degree or another, have retained connections with the Ancient World.

1. Armenia

The history of Armenian statehood goes back about 2,500 years, although its origins should be sought even deeper - in the kingdom of Arme-Shubria (XII century BC), which, according to historian Boris Piotrovsky, at the turn of the 7th and 6th centuries BC. e. turned into a Scythian-Armenian association. Ancient Armenia is a motley conglomerate of kingdoms and states that existed simultaneously or succeeded one another. Tabal, Melid, the Mush kingdom, the Hurrian, Luwian and Urartian states - the descendants of their inhabitants eventually merged with the Armenian people.

The term “Armenia” is first found in the Behistun inscription (521 BC) of the king of Persia, Darius I, who thus designated the Persian satrapy on the territory of the disappeared Urartu. Later, in the valley of the Araks River, the Ararat kingdom arose, which served as the basis for the formation of three others - Sophen, Lesser Armenia and Greater Armenia. From about the 3rd century BC. e. the center of political and cultural life of the Armenian people moves to the Ararat Valley.

2. Iran

The history of Iran is one of the most ancient and eventful. Based on written sources, scientists suggest that Iran is at least 5,000 years old. However, in Iranian history they include such a proto-state formation as Elam, located in the southwest of modern Iran and mentioned in the Bible. The first most significant Iranian state was the Median kingdom, founded in the 7th century BC. e. During its heyday, the Median kingdom was significantly larger than the ethnographic region of modern Iran, Media. In the Avesta this region was called the “Country of the Aryans.”

The Iranian-speaking tribes of the Medes, according to one version, moved here from Central Asia, according to another - from the North Caucasus and gradually assimilated the local non-Aryan tribes. The Medes very quickly settled throughout western Iran and established control over it. Over time, having grown stronger, they were able to defeat the Assyrian Empire. The beginnings of the Medes were continued by the Persian Empire, spreading its influence over vast territories from Greece to India.

3. China

According to Chinese scientists, Chinese civilization is about 5,000 years old. But written sources speak of a slightly younger age - 3600 years. This is the beginning of the Shang Dynasty. Then a system of administrative management was laid down, which was developed and improved by successive dynasties. Chinese civilization developed in the basin of two large rivers - the Yellow River and the Yangtze, which determined its agricultural character. It was developed agriculture that distinguished China from its neighbors, who lived in less favorable steppe and mountainous regions.

The state of the Shang dynasty pursued a fairly active military policy, which allowed it to expand its territories to the limits that included the modern Chinese provinces of Henan and Shanxi. By the 11th century BC, the Chinese were already using a lunar calendar and had invented the first examples of hieroglyphic writing. At the same time, a professional army was formed in China, using bronze weapons and war chariots.

4. Greece

Greece has every reason to be considered the cradle of European civilization. About 5,000 years ago, the Minoan culture arose on the island of Crete, which later spread to the mainland through the Greeks. It was on the island that the beginnings of statehood were indicated, in particular, the first writing appeared, and diplomatic and trade relations with the East emerged. Appeared at the end of the 3rd millennium BC. e. Aegean civilization already fully demonstrates state formations.

Thus, the first states in the Aegean Sea basin - in Crete and the Peloponnese - were built according to the type of eastern despotism with a developed bureaucratic apparatus. Ancient Greece grew rapidly and spread its influence to the Northern Black Sea region, Asia Minor and Southern Italy. Ancient Greece is often called Hellas, but local residents extend the self-name to the modern state. It is important for them to emphasize the historical connection with that era and culture, which essentially shaped the entire European civilization.

5. Egypt

At the turn of the 4th-3rd millennium BC, several dozen cities of the upper and lower Nile were united under the rule of two rulers. From this moment the 5000-year history of Egypt begins. Soon a war broke out between Upper and Lower Egypt, which resulted in the victory of the king of Upper Egypt. Under the rule of the pharaoh, a strong state is formed here, gradually spreading its influence to neighboring lands. The 27-century dynastic period of Ancient Egypt is the golden time of ancient Egyptian civilization.

A clear administrative and management structure is being formed in the state, advanced technologies for that time are being developed, and art and architecture are rising to unattainable heights. Over the past centuries, a lot has changed in Egypt - religion, language, culture. The Arab conquest of the country of the pharaohs radically turned the vector of development of the state. However, it is the ancient Egyptian heritage that is the hallmark of modern Egypt.

6. Japan

The first mention of Ancient Japan is contained in Chinese historical chronicles of the 1st century AD. e. In particular, it says that there were 100 small countries in the archipelago, 30 of which established relations with China. The reign of the first Japanese Emperor Jimmu supposedly began in 660 BC. e. It was he who wanted to establish power over the entire archipelago.

However, some historians consider Jimma a semi-legendary person. Japan is a unique country, which, unlike Europe and the Middle East, has developed for many centuries without any serious social and political upheavals. This is largely due to its geographical isolation, which, in particular, protected Japan from the Mongol invasion. If we take into account the dynastic continuity that has been uninterrupted for more than 2.5 thousand years and the absence of fundamental changes in the country’s borders, Japan can be called a state with the most ancient origins.

Today there are more than 250 countries in the world. But only 193 are members of the UN, while the rest have an unclear status. Many states have recently gained independence, while others are just on the path to gaining sovereignty. At the same time, historians clearly know the dates of the appearance of the youngest countries, and when the ancient and first such formations arose, they hide thick layer thousand-year-old dust. Even the method of birth of countries is difficult to determine. After all, every nation has its own myths and legends about the timing of the emergence of the state.

For example, the legends of San Marino say that in 301, a member of one of the first Christian communities created a refuge for himself on the top of Monte Titano. Since then, the statehood of the small country has been counted. However, we can talk about the independence of this settlement only from the 6th century, when Italy broke up into many independent states.

Japanese legends say that the country was founded back in 660 BC, but history knows about the first state on the island - Yamato. It appeared in 250-538. Ancient Greece was one of the first civilizations; it became the cradle of modern culture, science and philosophy. However, the country's complete independence modern form received only in 1821, after leaving the Ottoman Empire.

That is why, to compile such a rating, we took into account those forms of organization of society that correspond modern features state. It must be truly independent, have its own territory, language and state symbols. Our list contains those states that exist on modern map peace.

Elam, 3200 BC e. (Iran). This modern state is located in southwest Asia. The Islamic Republic of Iran appeared on the political map of the planet on April 1, 1979 during the Islamic Revolution. However, the history of statehood of this country is one of the most ancient in the world. For centuries, the states located here played key role in the East. The country first appeared on the territory of Iran back in 3200 BC, it was called Elam. The resulting Persian Empire extended from Greece and Libya to the Indus River. In the Middle Ages, Persia was a powerful, influential state.

Egypt, 3000 BC e. This is the oldest state on the planet, whose history is rich interesting facts. The mysterious and mysterious country of the pharaohs became home to many types and forms of art, which then spread throughout Europe and Asia. It was from here that ancient aesthetics originated, which formed the basis of all contemporary arts. Egypt is the most big country in the Arab East, it is one of the centers of political and cultural life in the region. For tourists, the country is a real Mecca. Egypt's location is unique - it is located at the junction of three continents - Africa, Europe and Asia. Here two worlds collide - Christian and Islamic. Egypt appeared on the site of the existence of a mysterious and powerful ancient civilization, whose history goes back centuries and millennia. A state appeared here back in 3000 BC, when Pharaoh Mines united several lands and created new country. Egyptologists dubbed it the Early Kingdom. Traces of that era have reached us in the form of the Great Egyptian pyramids, mysterious Sphinxes and impressive temples of the pharaohs.

Wanglang, 2897 BC e. (Vietnam). This country is located in the South East Asia, on the Indochina Peninsula. The name of the state consists of two words, translated as “the country of the Vietnamese in the South.” The Viet civilization appeared in the Red River basin. Legends say that the people descended from a dragon and a fairy bird. The first state on the territory of present-day Vietnam appeared back in 2897 BC. For a long time, Vietnam was part of China. Since the mid-19th century, the country was a French colony. It was only in the summer of 1954 that Vietnam gained independence.

Shang-Yin, 1600 BC e. (China). China is located in East Asia and is the largest country in the world by population. It is home to more than 1.3 billion people. In terms of area, China is second only to Russia and Canada. The local civilization is one of the oldest in the world. Chinese scientists claim that it is more than five thousand years old. But written sources only testify to a 3,500-year history. A system of administrative management has long been established in China. New and new dynasties of rulers only improved it. Thus, the Chinese state with an economy based on developed agriculture gained an advantage over its more backward neighbors, the nomads and mountaineers. The country further strengthened with the introduction of Confucianism as a state ideology in the 1st century BC, as well as unified system writing a century earlier. From 1600 to 1207 BC. On the territory of what is now China, the state of Shang-Yin existed. This is the first state formation in these places, the history of which is actually confirmed by both archaeological finds and narrative, epigraphic written evidence. In 221 BC. Emperor Qin Shi Huang managed to unite all Chinese lands, creating the Qin Empire. Its borders roughly correspond to modern China.

Kush, 1070 BC e. (Sudan). The area of ​​the modern state of Sudan, located in northeast Africa, is comparable to the entire Western Europe. The country's population is 29.5 million people. The country is located in the middle reaches of the Nile, on the plains, plateaus and adjacent coast of the Red Sea surrounding the great river. In the northern part of modern Sudan from 1070 to 350 BC. There was an ancient state of Kush, or the Meroitic kingdom. The remains of temples, sculptures of its kings and gods speak about this state. It is believed that at that time astronomy, medicine and writing were already developed in Kush.

Sri Lanka, 377 BC e. The name of this island state translates as Blessed Land. The country is located in South Asia near the southeast coast of India. The history of people’s life here dates back to the Neolithic; the first settlements discovered here date back to this period. Written history dates back to the arrival of the Aryans from India. They gave the local population the first knowledge of metallurgy, navigation and writing. In 247 BC. Buddhism appeared on the island, which had an important influence on the formation of the country and political system. Even earlier, in 377 BC. The first kingdom appeared in Sri Lanka, the capital of which was located in ancient city Anuradhapura.

Chin, 300 BC. e. (Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Republic of Korea). Korea is the geographical territory that is based on the Korean Peninsula, as well as the islands adjacent to it. All of them are united by cultural and historical heritage. But once it was a single state. When Japan was defeated in World War II in 1945, Korea, a former colony, was artificially divided into two parts of responsibility. North of the 38th parallel lay the Soviet one, and to the south - the American one. On the territory of these fragments, two countries appeared in 1948 - the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the north and the Republic of Korea in the south. Local legends say that the first Korean state was created by the son of a celestial and a bear woman, Tangun, which happened back in 2333 BC. Scientists consider the earliest stage of Korean history to be the period of the Ko Joseon state. Modern historians still believe that the date is 2333 BC. is greatly exaggerated, since no documents confirm it. And it appeared on the basis of Korean chronicles that arose already in the Middle Ages. At the beginning of its existence, Ancient Joseon was a union of tribes, the country existed in the form of separate independent city-states. Only in 300 BC. a centralized state emerged. At the same time, the proto-state Chin appeared in the south of the state.

Iberia, 299 BC e. (Georgia). Modern Georgia appears to be a young and dynamically developing independent state that has almost completely gotten rid of the Soviet legacy. The history of statehood here originates deep in antiquity. Georgia is one of the places where the most ancient monuments of our civilization were found. Historians believe that the first countries appeared on the territory of Georgia 4-5 thousand years ago. The kingdom of Colchis was located on the eastern coast of the Black Sea, and Iberia was located on the territory of modern Georgia. In 299, the legendary king Pharnavaz I came to power in this country. During the reign of him and his descendants, Iberia became a powerful state, subjugating significant lands. And in the 9th century, a new united country appeared on the territory of Georgia. Its ruler was a king from the Bagrationi dynasty.

Great Armenia, 190 BC e. (Armenia). The existence of this country was first mentioned in the cuneiform writings of the king of Persia, Darius I. He reigned in 522-486 BC. Herodotus and Xenophon (5th century BC) also testify to Armenia. Ancient historians and geographers marked this state on maps along with Persia, Syria and other ancient countries. When the empire of Alexander the Great collapsed, three Armenian kingdoms appeared in place of its ruins - Greater Armenia, Lesser Armenia and Sophene. The first of them turned out to be a fairly large state that united lands from Palestine to the Caspian Sea. The country appeared in 190 BC; scientists consider it to be the first in history to exist on the territory of modern Armenia.

Yamato, 250 (Japan). Japan is an important island state in East Asia. It is located on the lands of the Japanese archipelago Pacific Ocean, numbering 6852 islands. Local legends say that back in 660 BC. Emperor Jimmu founded the Land of the Rising Sun, becoming its first ruler. The first written evidence of the existence of ancient Japan, like single state, found in historical chronicles of the 1st century Chinese Han Empire. The code of the Wei Empire already in the 3rd century speaks of 30 countries on the territory of the Japanese Islands, the most powerful of which is Yamatai. Legends say that Queen Himiko ruled there using her magic. During the Kofun period from 250 to 358, the Yamato state appeared in Japan, apparently a confederal one. This era is called “Kofun” due to the Kurgan culture of the same name. It has been common in Japan for five centuries. For example, the Daisenryo mound became the tomb for Emperor Nintoku in the 5th century.

Great Bulgaria, 632 (Bulgaria). This country is located in the east of the Balkan Peninsula, in Southeast Europe. There is evidence that such a union of peoples as Great Bulgaria existed on the territory of the state. It included the tribes of the Proto-Bulgarians and existed in the steppes of the Black Sea region and Azov for several decades from 632 to 671. The capital of this country was the city of Phanagoria, and it was founded by Khan Kubrat, who became the first ruler. This is how the history of Bulgaria as a state began.

The first states appeared about 6,000 years ago, but not all of them were able to survive to this day. Some have disappeared forever, while others only have their names left. Let us note 6 states that, to one degree or another, have retained connections with the Ancient World.

The most ancient states on Earth

Armenia

The history of Armenian statehood goes back about 2,500 years, although its origins should be sought even deeper - in the kingdom of Arme-Shubria (XII century BC), which, according to historian Boris Piotrovsky, at the turn of the 7th and 6th centuries BC. e. turned into a Scythian-Armenian association.

Ancient Armenia is a motley conglomerate of kingdoms and states that existed simultaneously or succeeded one another. Tabal, Melid, the Mush kingdom, the Hurrian, Luwian and Urartian states - the descendants of their inhabitants eventually merged with the Armenian people.

The term “Armenia” is first found in the Behistun Inscription (521 BC) of the king of Persia, Darius I, who so designated the Persian satrapy on the territory of the disappeared Urartu. Later, in the valley of the Araks River, the Ararat kingdom arose, which served as the basis for the formation of three others - Sophen, Lesser Armenia and Greater Armenia. From about the 3rd century BC. e. the center of political and cultural life of the Armenian people moves to the Ararat Valley.

Iran

The history of Iran is one of the most ancient and eventful. Based on written sources, scientists suggest that Iran is at least 5,000 years old. However, in Iranian history they include such a proto-state formation as Elam, located in the southwest of modern Iran and mentioned in the Bible.

The first most significant Iranian state was the Median kingdom, founded in the 7th century BC. e. During its heyday, the Median kingdom was significantly larger than the ethnographic region of modern Iran, Media. In the Avesta this region was called the “Country of the Aryans.”

The Iranian-speaking tribes of the Medes, according to one version, moved here from Central Asia, according to another - from the North Caucasus and gradually assimilated the local non-Aryan tribes. The Medes very quickly settled throughout western Iran and established control over it. Over time, having grown stronger, they were able to defeat the Assyrian Empire.

The beginnings of the Medes were continued by the Persian Empire, spreading its influence over vast territories from Greece to India.

China

According to Chinese scientists, Chinese civilization is about 5,000 years old. But written sources speak of a slightly younger age - 3600 years. This is the beginning of the Shang Dynasty. Then a system of administrative management was laid down, which was developed and improved by successive dynasties.

Chinese civilization developed in the basin of two large rivers - the Yellow River and the Yangtze, which determined its agricultural character. It was developed agriculture that distinguished China from its neighbors, who lived in less favorable steppe and mountainous regions.

The state of the Shang dynasty pursued a fairly active military policy, which allowed it to expand its territories to the limits that included the modern Chinese provinces of Henan and Shanxi.

By the 11th century BC, the Chinese were already using a lunar calendar and had invented the first examples of hieroglyphic writing. At the same time, a professional army was formed in China, using bronze weapons and war chariots.

Greece

Greece has every reason to be considered the cradle of European civilization. About 5,000 years ago, the Minoan culture arose on the island of Crete, which later spread to the mainland through the Greeks. It was on the island that the beginnings of statehood were indicated, in particular, the first writing appeared, and diplomatic and trade relations with the East emerged.

Appeared at the end of the 3rd millennium BC. e. Aegean civilization already fully demonstrates state formations. Thus, the first states in the Aegean Sea basin - in Crete and the Peloponnese - were built according to the type of eastern despotism with a developed bureaucratic apparatus. Ancient Greece grew rapidly and spread its influence to the Northern Black Sea region, Asia Minor and Southern Italy.

Ancient Greece is often called Hellas, but local residents extend the self-name to the modern state. It is important for them to emphasize the historical connection with that era and culture, which essentially shaped the entire European civilization.

Egypt

At the turn of the 4th-3rd millennium BC, several dozen cities of the upper and lower Nile were united under the rule of two rulers. From this moment the 5000-year history of Egypt begins.

Soon a war broke out between Upper and Lower Egypt, which resulted in the victory of the king of Upper Egypt. Under the rule of the pharaoh, a strong state is formed here, gradually spreading its influence to neighboring lands.

The 27-century dynastic period of Ancient Egypt is the golden time of ancient Egyptian civilization. A clear administrative and management structure is being formed in the state, advanced technologies for that time are being developed, and art and architecture are rising to unattainable heights.

Over the past centuries, a lot has changed in Egypt - religion, language, culture. The Arab conquest of the country of the pharaohs radically turned the vector of development of the state. However, it is the ancient Egyptian heritage that is the hallmark of modern Egypt.

Japan

The first mention of Ancient Japan is contained in Chinese historical chronicles of the 1st century AD. e. In particular, it says that there were 100 small countries in the archipelago, 30 of which established relations with China.

The reign of the first Japanese Emperor Jimmu supposedly began in 660 BC. e. It was he who wanted to establish power over the entire archipelago. However, some historians consider Jimma a semi-legendary person.

Japan is a unique country, which, unlike Europe and the Middle East, has developed for many centuries without any serious social and political upheavals. This is largely due to its geographical isolation, which, in particular, protected Japan from the Mongol invasion.

If we take into account the dynastic continuity that has been uninterrupted for more than 2.5 thousand years and the absence of fundamental changes in the country’s borders, Japan can be called a state with the most ancient origins.

Today we will talk about the most ancient countries in the world. At the beginning of time they were the centers of civilization, and today they can boast of the most rich culture and the legacy of their great ancestors.

The most ancient states: From past to present

The most first states were founded more than six thousand years ago. Only a few of them were lucky enough to survive into the twenty-first century. Some died in bloody wars or destroyed by epidemics, while others retained only names, losing more than 90% of their territories. In this article we have collected six ancient countries who managed to survive millennia.

The most ancient states: Armenia

The Armenian state is by no means the oldest of those represented today, but 2500 years is a very respectable age. First mentions Arme-Shubria Kingdom scholars date it to the twelfth century BC. Already in the seventh century this state turned into Scythian-Armenian kingdom.

Ancient Armenia was very similar to Russian Federation. It was not a single country, but a conglomerate of several small kingdoms. The most famous of them: Melid, Mush kingdom, Hurrit, Luviy, Tabal, Urarta. In the end, all the ancient states on the territory of the Armenian kingdom merged into one integral people, whose descendants live in modern Armenia.

Armenia was mentioned as a full-fledged ancient state in the 500s AD chronicler King of the Persian Empire Darius the First. The Persians called the entire territory of Armenia Urarta. Later appeared Kingdom of Arart, who managed to get out of Persian rule. In the Middle Ages, there were three independent ancient states on the territory of Armenia: Lesser and Greater Armenia, as well as Sophene.

The most ancient states: Iran

Iran is not only one of the most ancient countries, but also with the most eventful history. Historians estimate the age of the state in 5-5.5 thousand years. The beginning was made small State of Elam, which is mentioned even in the Old Testament.

The first large ancient state on the territory of modern Iran appeared in the seventh century BC - the Median kingdom in its heyday was almost comparable in territory to the modern state. I wonder what the neighbors called this area "The Land of the Aryans".

The Medes quickly realized that the key to their prosperity was ancient statemilitary expansion. Their only serious competitors were the Assyrians, who built their huge empire in Asia Minor. The Median kingdom eventually managed to defeat them, and then grew into the huge Persian Empire, stretching from India to Greece, and maintaining hegemony in ancient world more than one hundred years.

The most ancient states: China

Chinese scientists say that China is more than five thousand years old. Written sources do not agree - The first written mention of the Chinese Empire is 3600 years old. At this time, came to power over the ancient state Shang dynasty. At the same time, a full-fledged system of laws and government of the country appeared.

The ancient state of China developed between the two largest rivers in the region - the Yangtze and Yellow River.. That is why the empire was more of an agricultural country than a military entity. Neighbours ancient China on the contrary, they only knew how to fight, and therefore developed much more slowly than the settled, educated Chinese.

After death Shang Dynasty, other, no less great, influential families came to power. By the eleventh century AD, the ancient state of China already had its own calendar, fully developed calligraphy and vast territories conquered with the help of a large army, including revolutionary weapons of the time - war chariots.

The most ancient states: Greece

Ancient Greece is considered the cradle of European civilization. Almost 5000 years ago, the first full-fledged ancient state - Minoan kingdom. A little later, the Minoans moved to the mainland and eventually, merging with the local population, became Greeks.

The ancient state of Greece was educated, with its own written language, laws, developed military affairs and extensive trade relations with all the major countries of that era.

The Aegean civilization appeared on the mainland in the third millennium BC. This was already a real ancient state. Later appears policy system- individual Greek city states with their own rulers, laws and armies, which could be allies or enemies. Ancient Greece became the founder of democracy and many laws, taken into service by modern European states.

The most ancient states: Egypt

In the fourth millennium BC, dozens of large cities on the banks of the Nile were united by two rulers to the most ancient state in the world - .

As always happens, two cannot sit on the same throne.. The war between the Upper and Lower Kingdoms lasted several decades, after which one of the rulers named himself the pharaoh of the entire Egyptian kingdom. Egypt's dynastic history goes back almost 2,700 years. It is this time that is considered by historians to be the “golden age” of the state. Technologically, financially and scientifically, Ancient Egypt overtook all his neighbors.

Today, the heirs of one of the greatest and most ancient states in the world are fundamentally different from their ancestors. Everything has changed, from religion to language. However, today we can see incredible cultural and architectural monuments left by the ancient Egyptians, who exalted their pharaoh to the level of the Gods!

The most ancient states: Japan

The first written sources that mention Ancient Japan, date back to the first century AD. It would seem that, Compared to other ancient countries of the world, Japan is very young. However, in Asia, where at this time there was not much large countries, the Japanese were quickly able to build a real island empire, had trade and diplomatic ties with all its neighbors, including China y.

Japanese historians refer to their chronicles, which indicate that Japan is more ancient country. So, The first ruler of the ancient state is considered to be Jimmu, who ruled in the seventh century BC.

Considering the depth of Japanese culture, which has managed to remain in our time, 2500 years of imperial dynasties and practically unchanged borders since its founding, it is this state despite its age, it can be considered the oldest existing.

Who knows how many more millennia these ancient states will live...
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