What Country Has The Most Interesting History?

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker
Least interesting: Australia before the British

It hasn't been too interesting after, either.

[Kuciwalker]

Given that basically nothing happened before, that doesn't say much.

[Jethro83]

Originally posted by MrFun
I agree -- naked brown guys chasing kangaroos is not interesting.

But those 'naked brown guys' had their own distinct art, music and culture completely untouched by foreign influence. As an Australian, I've seen plenty of their culture, and I'd have to say it actually is somewhat interesting (and sadly, somewhat misunderstood).


Besides, I don't really see how the Aborigines could possibly be less interesting than the story of how their land was made into a British convict dumping ground.

[Bosh]

least interesting: Korea

Yes remarkably boring. They seem to be just about the only country that has NEVER attacked another country

As far as a geographical region, I'd have to do with Anatolia. You've got everything, the Kingdom of Pontus and Lydia, the Ionian Revolt, the beginning of Alexander's campaigns, resistance to the Romans, becoming the core of the Byzentine state, then the rise of the Sultanate of Rum and whatnot with all kinds of fun stuff like the Ghazis and Rumi and finally the rise and fall of the Ottomans. What more could you want?

As far as a nation-state, I'd have to go with China though.

[Verto]

South Dakota.

[Ancyrean]

In addition to those mentioned so far, Turkish history in general should also make interesting reading.

Not only the Ottomans, but before them Seljuks, Mamelukes, myriads of kingdoms/empires set up all over the Eurasian continent all the way back to the Huns (including Huns of Central Asia and those of Attila). That's more than 2000 years covering a very wide geography. Heck, there's even a Turkish Empire with Judaism as its religion (the Khazars, circa 8th century AD, between the Black Sea and the Caspian).

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by Jethro83
But those 'naked brown guys' had their own distinct art, music and culture completely untouched by foreign influence.

So what? Nothing happened over there. Ergo, they're history is incredibly boring. Who cares about their "pristine" culture? I like mine

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by Jethro83
Besides, I don't really see how the Aborigines could possibly be less interesting than the story of how their land was made into a British convict dumping ground.

Did you miss the "before the British" part?

[Jethro83]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker

So what? Nothing happened over there. Ergo, they're history is incredibly boring. Who cares about their "pristine" culture? I like mine

Yes, very little happened historically. They were free of foreign influence for a very long time (tens of thousands of years). In all that time, they lived in perfect balance with nature. To me, the fact that a group of human beings can live in perfect balance with nature is quite interesting in itself.

And, yes, I like my own culture too. But just because I prefer to stick to my own culture, doesn't mean I'm closing myself off to other cultures. Its the other cultures that make the world such an interesting place (gods, if that didn't sound cliche, then I don't know what does)

[Jethro83]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker


Did you miss the "before the British" part?

No I didn't. I was comparing the pre-colonial era to the colonial era.

[Kuciwalker]

Yes, very little happened historically. They were free of foreign influence for a very long time (tens of thousands of years). In all that time, they lived in perfect balance with nature. To me, the fact that a group of human beings can live in perfect balance with nature is quite interesting in itself.

You've basically summed up their entire history. If your history can be summarized in four sentences, it's not interesting.

[JohnT]

And cite on that "they lived in perfect balance with nature" remark?

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Boshko
Yes remarkably boring. They seem to be just about the only country that has NEVER attacked another country

You believe that?

[MrFun]

Originally posted by Jethro83


But those 'naked brown guys' had their own distinct art, music and culture completely untouched by foreign influence. As an Australian, I've seen plenty of their culture, and I'd have to say it actually is somewhat interesting (and sadly, somewhat misunderstood).


Besides, I don't really see how the Aborigines could possibly be less interesting than the story of how their land was made into a British convict dumping ground.

I forgot to put a sarcastic wink smilie after my politically-incorrect post.


(I actually agree with your points, by the way)

[Jethro83]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker
You've basically summed up their entire history. If your history can be summarized in four sentences, it's not interesting.

You can't really know that my four sentences was the summary of their entire history. Without a doubt, there is probably a lot we still don't know about them, since they didn't put their history in writing as we know it. Most of what we do know about them is word-of-mouth, and the stories told in their rock paintings.