European History

It was steered as much by ideas as by events - concepts from the classical days of Greece, such as inquiry ito nature, ideal beauty, moderation, and political freedom, were absorbed. Rome contributed language, systems of law and administration, public works and architecture. Christianity established a higher authority, preserved learning, inspired painting, music, and Gothic cathedrals. Invading Islamic Arabs brought ancient texts, notably Aristotle's. and a system of mathematical notation. The early Europeans - Celts, Germanic tribes and others kept alive many native traditions. Few would argue with the proposition that our modern world - for good and for ill - is Europe's child.
(Source - Cartographic Division - National Geographic Society.)