History of Civilization - 4 Volumes by Emory Allen -books
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| History of Civilization - 4 Volumes |
Contents:
v. 1. The prehistoric world; or, Vanished race.--v. 2. The ancient world; or, Dawn of history.--v. 3. The medieval world; or, Dark Ages.--v. 4. The modern world; or, Civilization of today
From the first volume introduction
In this volume, the author has sought to lay before the reader a description of life and times lying beyond the light of history. This is indeed an extensive subject, and calls for some explanation, both as to the work's general design and what steps have been taken to secure correct information. History is a word of varied import. In general, when we talk about history, we mean those accounts of past events, times, and circumstances of which we have written records.
Not necessarily mean alphabetical writing, because hieroglyphic records have furnished much true history. Hieroglyphic writing, which long preceded alphabetical writing, is itself a comparatively recent art. In no country do we find any records carrying us further back than a few thousand years before the Christian era?
We have every reason to believe that the historical part of man's life on the globe is but an insignificant part of the whole. This historic period is not the same in all countries. It •varies from a few centuries in our own country to a few thousand of years in Oriental lands. In no country is there a hard and fast line separating the historic period from the prehistoric?
In the dim perspective of years, the light gradually fades away, the mist grows thicker and thicker before, and we at last find ourselves face to face with the unknown past. This extensive period is not, however, utterly lost to us. We have simply to gather our information in some other way. Enthusiastic explorers, digging beneath the ashes of Vesuvius, have brought to light the remains of an entombed city.
Of this city, we indeed have historical records, but even if all such records had long since disappeared, "we would gather much information as to the nationality of the inhabitants, their customs, and manners, by a simple inspection of the relics themselves. Everywhere over the earth, entombed beneath the feet of the living, or crumbling on the surface, are the few relics of a past far antedating the relics of Pompeii. They are the proof positive that some people inhabited the land in faraway times.
Perfect, Adam — let’s dive into a chapter‑by‑chapter preview of Emory Adams Allen’s History of Civilization (1887–1889). I’ll treat each volume as a long essay outline, showing its intellectual scope, themes, and historical significance.
Volume I: The Prehistoric World; or, Vanished Races
- Human Origins: Begins with early humanity, exploring fossil evidence, primitive tools, and the dawn of culture.
- Archaeology & Ethnography: Surveys discoveries of cave dwellers, mound builders, and megalithic monuments.
- Lost Civilizations: Discusses vanished races such as the Atlanteans (in 19th‑century speculation), and the mysterious peoples of Central and South America.
This volume is less about narrative history and more about scientific imagination — blending anthropology, geology, and myth to explain humanity’s earliest steps.
Volume II: The Ancient World; or, Dawn of History
- Egypt & Mesopotamia: The cradle of civilization, with emphasis on writing, law, and monumental architecture.
- Greece: Philosophy, democracy, and art as the foundation of Western thought.
- Rome: Law, empire, and the transition from republic to imperial power.
- Essay Preview: This volume presents antiquity as the birth of rational order — where myth gave way to philosophy, and tribal societies evolved into empires. Allen emphasizes continuity: how Egypt influenced Greece, and Greece Rome, forming the backbone of Western civilization.
Volume III: The Medieval World; or, Dark Ages
- Post‑Roman Europe: Germanic invasions, the collapse of centralized authority, and the rise of feudalism.
- The Church: Christianity as the unifying force, shaping art, law, and morality.
- Medieval Culture: Gothic architecture, scholastic philosophy, and the beginnings of universities.
Allen portrays the Middle Ages as both decline and renewal — a time of fragmentation but also of spiritual and intellectual ferment. The “Dark Ages” label is softened by recognition of cultural creativity and the seeds of modern Europe.
Volume IV: The Modern World; or, Civilization of To‑Day
- Renaissance: Revival of classical learning, art, and humanism.
- Enlightenment: Scientific revolution, rationalism, and political philosophy.
- Modern Nations: The rise of France, England, Germany, and the United States as modern powers.
- Industrial Progress: Technology, commerce, and the transformation of society in the 19th century.
This final volume celebrates modernity as progress and culmination — the triumph of science, democracy, and industry. It reflects the optimism of the late 19th century, seeing civilization as steadily advancing toward enlightenment.
Intellectual Arc
Together, the four volumes form a grand narrative of human progress:
- From mystery and myth (Prehistoric)
- To reason and empire (Ancient)
- Through faith and feudalism (Medieval)
- Into science and modernity (Modern)
Allen’s work is both history and philosophy — a Victorian attempt to map the destiny of humanity.