The Mediterranean World (1961)

[Music] we know our spinning Earth to be a sphere overlaid with seas and continents but ancient men knew only of the Mediterranean regions Greek geographers of 500 BC thought the Earth was a flat dis its land surrounding a central Sea called the Mediterranean which meant enclosed by land to early men it was truly a Mediterranean World in this favorable environment high mountain ranges screened the region from Northern Europe's severe Winters and the Northern Shores were deeply indented with large bays and many Sheltering Islands small ships could safely sail these protected Waters and this sea became a means of cultural contct aiding the growth of early civilizations around its Shores thus the Mediterranean Sea was the center of the ancient [Music] world the Southern Shores were less hospitable with few harbors and many desert areas the Valley of the Nile was a fortunate exception this River's annual flood waters left Rich soils with almost constant daily sunlight here was an ideal environment for agriculture and therefore the founding of Egyptian civilization irrigation was early developed here in time Egyptians created an alphabetic form of writing based on pictures and used papyrus plant fibers to make paper Egyptians were among the first to refine Metals for tools weapons and ornaments the golden burial mask of King Tutt an Amon reveals the superb skills of these ancient Craftsmen the powerful pharaohs the ancient Kings left impressive monuments to mark their Reigns their colossal pyramid tombs although erected 5,000 years ago are among the largest stone structures ever built ancient drawings show that the first Nile Boats were bundles of buoyant Papyrus Reeds as larger boats of wood were developed the traditional Reed bundle shape was retained these first seagoing ships carried Egyptian Commerce and culture to other Mediterranean lands the inspiration of Egypt affected a second great civilization the Minoans on the island of creit in The Splendid Palace at nasus built about 1500 BC the courtyards and graceful columns suggest the influence of Egyptian [Music] architecture in minoan warehouses huge earthern Weare jars stored grains and olive oil for a city of thousands their theaters tiers of seats formed a pattern for Greek and Roman theaters of later [Music] times in many forms minoan art surpassed Egyptian paintings showed greater realism and pottery and golden jewelry were decorated with taste and skill about 1,000 BC the phenician civilization flourished on the slopes of their mountains was the most important source of Timber in the dry and often barren Eastern land today few trees remain of the Cedars of Lebanon the rest were cut to build ships and roof temples in ancient times in biblos Bona's principal Seaport paper fabrics and finely rot metals were produced these Vats boiled the famous Tyrion purple dye but phish's greatest contribution was a simplified alphabet from which our present writing was developed from such tiny Harbors as these phian Traders carried Eastern crafts and knowledge throughout the Mediterranean and to the shores of Northern Europe during this time another civilization was Rising it was that of the Greeks they built upon the preceding cultures adding many new Concepts the theater was enlarged and improved as drama dance and oratory became vastly refined Greek buildings were a great artistic Advance over those of cre and Egypt crowning the Acropolis in Athens was the beautiful Parthenon one of man's most perfectly proportioned buildings 23 centuries ago this marble Temple was dedicated to the goddess Athena behind bronze doors stood her statue with clothing of gold and skin of ivory Masterpiece of the sculpter fidus the ancient Greeks excelling in the Arts mathematics medicine and Sciences also introduced Democratic principles in government these ideas spread throughout the Mediterranean world and were carried Eastward by the conquests of Alexander the Great in time the center of power again moved Westward to Rome the culture of Rome derived from the Greeks Romans were Master Builders Warriors and governors the ruins of their Capital City are reflected in their Works throughout the Mediterranean lands for 2 years ago Roman ships and conquering Legions journeyed to the limits of the Mediterranean world and Beyond to spread Roman laws speech skills and religion in Spain stands an ancient Aqueduct built by the Roman conquerors in Algeria a triumphal Arch amid an outposts ruins and in Lebanon a vast Temple once dedicated to bakus in Asia Minor are the ruins of Ephesus one of Rome's greatest subject cities and in Greece a ban Church contains mosaics which reveal how the Roman World ultimately accepted Christianity in its 1,000 years of rule Rome reached far beyond the Mediterranean lands when the Empire crumbled the region was left in a confused and disorganized political State the Middle Ages in 622 ad from Arabia came Muhammad he founded Islam the religion of the Muslims which quickly encircled the Southern and Eastern Shores through centuries of warfare Christians regained only a portion of the Lost lands leaving this present division of Christian and Muslim peoples in the Middle Ages the Muslims became the world leaders in Sciences mathematics and literature great mosques and universities were built in Cairo when the power and culture of Arabic Islam was Far higher than that of Northern Mediterranean Shores the Muslim influence was widespread in Spain the graceful Courtyard of a Muslim Palace a blue tiled musk in distant Persia or tall minettes in Turkey reflect the Vitality of Muhammad's teachings in Europe contacts with Eastern civilization spurred the Revival of learning in the Renaissance period it began in Italy about 600 years ago where artists and Architects recalled the styles of ancient Greeks and Romans science has flourished after centuries of decline this intellectual upsurge a superior agricultural environment and the availability of better natural resources now enable the Northern Shores to developed swiftly surpassing Southern and Eastern lands to create modern European civilization in this same period Muslim lands Advanced little for their culture was hampered by firmly rooted feudalism and ancient institutions because of their great differences in backgrounds and environments the Mediterranean people peoples of today have widely dissimilar ways of life on the Southern Shores North Africa is generally fertile a moderate rainfall allows crops of fruits and Grains gives pasture for grazing and supports a farm life little changed from the days when the Muslim Arabs occupied the land many farm products moved to coastal cities for shipment to Europe today the foods and minerals of North Africa are especially important to the people of France they colonized these Shores over 100 years ago and many North African cities have a European character from the French settlers yet in almost every such city is a cosba a crowded native quarter where devout Muslims resist changes to their culture by European contacts although France once governed North Africa Morocco and Tunisia have recently gained independence Algeria is also working out the problems of self-government in the desert regions farther east life is far more difficult the Waters of tiny OES are carefully spread by ancient irrigating channels to raise grains fruits or dates where precious water cannot be spared to grow trees for building Lumber most houses are made of sundried mud bricks and camels and donkeys are still the principal means of transportation although on the desert Coast Egypt is especially fortunate in having the Nile River the Nile carries Egypt's Commerce in Riverbats like those of thousands of years ago beside the tombs of ancient pharaohs precious Nile waters are spread over the land by irrigation canals dating from ancient times Waters raised by hand operated screw lifts or simple water wheels this thirsty land when well watered is among the most productive on Earth yet most of Egypt's Farmers work with the same methods as their distant ancestors and live in villages which have changed little in the past 50 centuries however today changes are beginning to appear mud Huts are sometimes replaced by brick houses in modern farm settlements irrigating canals are being improved and dams built to control the flow of water a occasionally modern pumps Supply overhead irrigating sprays and camels are replaced by tractors to cultivate a Palm Grove a promising step toward modernization has been the founding of a steel industry or from the Nile Valley is processed in a modern plant which will Aid industry and Manufacturing in tomorrow's Egypt Cairo is Egypt's capital and greatest City with over 2 million persons the old quarter is a Labyrinth of narrow streets and colorful bazaars where the continued activity of ancient mosques and universities show that Cairo remains a center of Muslim culture but Cairo is also a modern city which Compares with many major European capitals along the Nile where galleys of the Pharaohs once passed luxurious apartments and hotels now stand Beyond them the pyramids remind us of the many generations who have lived here contributing their learning to build our present civilization the Northern Shores have a far different life Greece and its many Isles in the aian sea was once heavily forested and agriculturally productive but much of the land has been stripped of trees and top soil through thousands of years of cutting timber for fuel intensive farming and overg grazing in the South only crops requiring little water and much sunlight like olives or c currents can be grown successfully Northern valleys with more rainfall produce grains and fruit these fields of Macedonia will grow tobacco gree's principal export crop the nation's principal Harbor at pyus exports agricultural goods and imports food and raw materials but is no longer the center of Mediterranean Commerce as in past ages since Greece lacks important mineral resources her industry is severely handicapped among the modern buildings of the capital city of Athens are the carefully preserved ruins of the ancient Greeks reminders that this city produced some of the leading artists and thinkers of the ancient world and have enabled other in modern times among all Mediterranean lands Italy is the most favored by nature and the most populous the northern mountain ranges of the Alps shelter the flat Rich Farms of the po valley however even land cannot Fe Italy's 50 million people in the more mountainous South many steep hillsides are Terra to permit cultivation in this difficult environment even the most skilled and industrious farmer has difficulty achieving Prosperity although Farm machines are available such equipment is very expensive and difficult to use on a large and efficient scale yet Italy is the most highly industrialized of Mediterranean countri countries although most fuel and ore must be imported a growing steel industry supplies a large number of Manufacturers since the time of ancient Rome Italians have dominated Mediterranean ship building well-made products from autos and typewriters to complex electronic equipment prove that Italians are among the world's most skilled and ingenious workmen Italy enjoys a great industrial advantage in having adequate water her Mountain chains create thousands of waterfalls their energy apply industry and transportation today electric Railways run beside old Roman aqueducts the locomotives are powered by the same streams that once filled those ancient conduits in Naples beside a castle of the Middle Ages are the Ducks of one of Italy's several important Harbors these seaports receive some of Italy's needed raw materials and ship many of her manufactured products throughout the world Rome is the northern mediterranean's largest and most modern capital a city of worldwide commercial importance although Italy's resources are limited determined effort and Ingenuity give many Italians an advanced standard of living enjoy homes in comfortable residential dist or attractive Apartments beside the Tyber River from fashionable sidewalk cafes like the blending of 2500 years of Northern Mediterranean passes the marble Columns of the Victor Emanuel Monument a 20um an Amphitheater of 20 centuries and approaches the ancient triumphal art of the Roman emperor Constantine veed as the great Basilica of St Peter's a Renaissance Masterpiece of art and architecture and a center of Christianity such monuments have caused Rome to be called The Eternal City the Mediterranean has three vital gateways which Pro placing part of that nation in Europe and part on the bosporus over 6 the Romans established the capital of their Eastern Empire Constantinople in 1453 it was captured by the Turks and later renamed Istanbul Istanbul is turkey its industry and major contribution to the wealth and security of this Progressive Nation Turkish mosques ancient Roman walls and modern offices stand side by side here because for thousands of years men have recognized the importance of this site the bosporus is the sea rout to the interior of modern Russia by turkey controls the Soviet Union's outlet from the Black Sea and her most convenient access to the trade routs of the Mediterranean and thetic Gateway is the straight of jalter called the pillars of Hercules by Ancient M Shores one may see the mountains of North Africa this narrow entrance is dominated by the the soldiers of Carthage crossed here from Africa to occupy Spain and attack ancient Rome the Muslim Arabs crossed in the 8th Century to invade Spain and France their moish Castle still stands later jalter became Spanish and about 250 years ago the British established a heavily fortified military base here it has now been developed into a modern air and Naval basee protecting Britain's vital trade routes to the east this narrow waterway is the only direct sea passage between Mediterranean Nations and the Atlantic trade routes the third Gateway is the Suz Canal at one time shipping between Atlantic ports and the Orient had to go around Africa the Suz Canal shortened the route by about 5,000 mil the canal was dug by French interests about a century ago but is now owned by Egypt stretching for 100 miles through a baron desert this crucial water used by about 50 ships a day the flags of many nations are seen in a canal conoy southbound ships may carry Railway material for India fertilizer for the Far East or military supplies for Hong Kong Northbound may be passengers from Australia textiles from the or or most important of all oil from the Persian Gulf the valuable shortcut to carry their essential supplies of oil for fuel and power with the straight of jalter the Suz Canal is a critical Link in Europe's vital route to the resources of Asia the Suz Canal is probably the most influential change man has ever made in nature today the Mediterranean world is one of turmoil and change the old Christian and Muslim differences were irritated further by the extensive European efforts toward colonizing and Commercial influence within the past Century today the Soviet seeks an outlet to the Atlantic and Indian Ocean but her route cannot be secure without control of the three vital gateways to secure these points and further her own aims for world domination the Soviet is attempting to extend her influence in the Mediterranean there's also been a rise of nationalism in the Arab world Egypt is developing a modern military force and its control of the vital suaz Canal is an important key to Mediterranean [Music] power turkey strengthening its Armed Forces to defend the bosporus is aided by a strong Alliance of Western Powers Italian warships at Genoa United States destroyers at Naples or a French Fleet in the bosporus show that the conflict iting interests of many nations have made this sea an armed Frontier where great changes are inevitable the Mediterranean world is both the boundary and the connecting link between Europe Asia and Africa the blending of many races religions and cultures has often brought friction but it has also brought great achievement in Egypt civilization made its first advances and established a foundation for many succeeding cultures minoan Architects added to our present society as did Traders and explorers and philosophers of Greece Builders and lawmakers of and mathematicians and astronomers of the Muslim Arab world the cosas of North Africa the castles of the Middle Ages and the monuments of the Renaissance here some Farmers till Rocky hillsides While others cultivate Rich productive lands here are lonely a desert oases and here are great cities and SE spring all is the Mediterranean Sea it was the means of contact and growth for ancient cultures it Remains the highway for Commerce and an area of conflict for our present civilization the beginnings of our modern way of life and perhaps he of the forces controlling our future Mediterranean world