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Corey Walls

Carol Boten

HIS 1111

12/9/2021

Significant Events

Surely, some events throughout history hold more significance than others. Looking at

the lasting impact and the fundamental groundwork they laid for events that would follow helps

weigh their importance. If we are to understand where we are, it is imperative to look at how we

got there. I’ve always been curious about why some things are how they are and how they

became that way. Often time a single event is the fundamental link in a chain of events, one thing

leading to another. Other times, something happens that proves influential enough, it can be seen

as standing the test of time. I believe the development of agricultural technology, the founding of

Zoroastrianism, the rise and spread of the Roman Empire, the black death, and the invention of

the printing press. are all significant looking at the time frame covered.

The development of agricultural technology is fundamental to the development of

western civilizations. The harsh conditions of the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers

lead to a high level of ingenuity (Cole, Symes 14.) The people inhabiting the land found it to be

unpredictable and responded to the conditions with the development of agriculture technologies.

Levees, irrigation canals, and the seed drill are among these technological developments.

Developing these tools of agriculture allowed humans to slow down and produce food on

a far greater scale. This is important to the development of western civilization because of its

lasting impact. With more food, the populations grew and specialization in labor fields

flourished. Settlement allowed for the accumulation of wealth, facilitating the creation writing,
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trade, and currency. All these aspects of society began with the ability to settle in place and

produce food on a grander scale. The development of agricultural technology led to the further

development of staple aspects of western civilization.

Though its impact was different, the creation of Zoroastrianism had a lasting effect on the

cultures of western civilization. Zoroastrianism was founded by a Persian citizen named

Zarathustra, who desired a change in Persian tribal religious customs (Cole, Symes 66.)

Zarathustra wished to make religion a personal and ethical practice while doing away with

polytheism, animal sacrifice, and the element of magic associated with Persian tribal traditions.

Instead, Zoroastrianism began to lean towards a monotheistic belief system that would be

mirrored for years to come. This belief was in one supreme god, the side of light and

righteousness, alongside another deity representing the dark and evil aspects of the world.

Additionally, Zoroastrianism deviated from many of its contemporary religions in that it did not

support political regimes or kings. It was a truly personal religion.

This viewpoint on religion is, in my opinion, tremendously important as it set in place a

belief system that would be echoed until today. Zoroastrianism laid the groundwork for many of

the ideas practiced by Islam and Christianity. The idea of a judgement day, spiritual over

material rewards, and the duality of divine forces had major impacts on two of the world’s most

practiced religion. The Christian bible is even compiled similarly to the Zoroastrian scriptures

called the Avesta. Both Christianity and Islam play huge roles not only modernly, but throughout

history. The influence of Zoroastrianism is, therefore, an important aspect in the development of

cultures in western civilization.

Regarding the groundwork for future societies and civilizations, the rise and spread of the

Roman Empire had a large, long-lasting impact on the world. Starting in the city of Rome, Italy,
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the Latin speaking romans would eventually expand to encompass nearly all of Europe and parts

of North Africa. Through continuous warfare, the Romans inherited the traditions and customs of

those they conquered. They would take many of these for themselves and improve upon them in

some ways.

The rise and spread of the Roman Empire significance is still seen today. The Roman

Empire can be credited with the rapid and large spread of Christianity. As it became the religion

of the Empire, it had the financial and political backing to truly flourish (Symes, Cole 196.) It

was no longer a cult, but a viable way to climb the political ladder. Roman literature influenced

future authors like William Shakesepeare who, in turn, influenced later generations of authors.

The “romance languages” of French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Romanian are all based on

Latin. This makes sense as most of Europe was under Latin-speaking Roman control. Even the

English alphabet is based on the Roman alphabet and many of the words are developed from

Latin root words. Much of modern western law is based off the legal system developed by the

Romans. In fact, many legal terms commonly used are still in Latin. Seen through this lens, the

spread of the Roman Empire was truly influential and important.

Another event with a large-scale impact was the black death. Living amid a modern

pandemic, parallels are often attempted to be drawn to the great pandemic of the 1330’s and

1340’s. In the span of a few years, the pandemic would kill between one-third and half of

Europe’s population (Cole, Symes 357.) The effects of this were important as they would change

the course of Europe for the future.

Prior to the pandemic, much of Europe’s land was over farmed with its population

exceeding its means to produce food. The death of such a large portion of the population allowed

the land and environment to recover. A smaller population led to a surplus of food. The price of
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fresh food plummeted, and more people were able to afford bountiful provisions. With fewer

people, there was a higher demand for labor, and this began a shift in power. Peasants and

laborers were able to stand up for themselves and make demands regarding wages and quality of

life. This would set in motion a spirit of rebellion when demands were not met.

The decrease in demand for food also allowed for more specialization (Cole, Symes 361.)

Farmers and laborers were able to turn their attention to more diverse avenues of production.

This specialization allowed for more trade and accumulated wealth. Life after the black death

would change for much of Europe, as luxury goods would become more readily available. As a

result, the arts and education would move to the forefront and begin to flourish.

Significant in the spread and availability of education, was the printing press. The son of

a goldsmith who produced coins, Johannes Gutenberg, invented the printing press in the 1450’s.

Paper had become more readily available and cheaper to produce. The printing press could make

copies up to a hundred times faster than hand-written editions (Cole, Symes 391.) This made

books and educational pamphlets available in far greater numbers and with greater speed.

The speed and quantity at which information could be printed made it easier to access

and able to travel greater distances. More people were able to obtain copies and, as a result,

become educated about events and ideas outside of their immediate geographic region. The

printing press, in fact, played a large role in both the spread of renaissance ideals and the

Protestant Reformation. Public education slowly started to become more available. This is

significant, as the mass production of educational materials is still tied to the printing press. It

started in the 1450’s, allowing more information to be disseminated amongst a greater

population. It would later be used to spark a division of ideals amongst the church, this with its

own set of consequences still felt today.

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Overall, these events stand out as significant because they changed or influenced events

yet to come. The development of agricultural technology allowed for labor specialization and the

accumulation of wealth for the first time. It sparked the development of writing and trade, the

former as a way of tracking the latter. Zoroastrianism created a new way of approaching religion,

and its influence is still seen in the world’s dominant religions of Islam and Christianity. The rise

and spread of the Roman Empire led to the creation of its own set of still widely spoken

languages, all based on Latin. Our own alphabet is still based on the Roman alphabet, and the

outline for our court systems is unmistakably Roman influenced. Many roads throughout Europe

still run parallel to old Roman trade and military roads. The black death remains a benchmark by

which we measure wide-spread illness. It vastly decreased population while forever changing the

culture of Europe. New freedoms and ideals emerged in its wake, shaking the foundation of

much of Europe’s population. The printing press changed access to education and allowed ideas

to be shared quicker and over greater distances. It created a great divide in the church and laid

the groundwork for public education.

During the vast time frame covered during this course, many events stand out as

significant. These five represent their own significance in the ways they changed or shaped the

future, as many subsequent events were a result of these that came first. If history acts in cycles,

or is a linear progression, groundwork is still laid, and the benefits ultimately reaped. We are

fortunate to live in a time after we, as humans, began to document our own past. In hopes of

progress, analyzing the significance of our collective past is fundamental.

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