American Classical Civilization
Among the civilizations that existed in America and are presented in the list, no civilizations could be considered classic, as no preserved literature works exist. However, the Aztec Empire was one of the classical civilizations of the Americas that was not on the list. The Aztec Empire has a rich art and architecture history and its own literary tradition. Thus, it can be classified as a classical civilization.
In art, the Aztec civilization is famous for intricate stone carvings, pottery and textiles (Scarre). The Aztec artwork was highly symbolic, featuring gods, animals, and other significant figures. Architecture is also an important part of the civilization: the Aztecs were known for pyramids and temples, such as Templo Mayor. In terms of literature, the most famous work is the Codex Mendoza, which gives insight into the life of the Aztecs and their culture.
African Classical Civilization
In Africa, one of the most known classical civilizations is Ancient Egypt. The art and architecture of Ancient Egypt are some of the most recognizable in the world. The pyramids, temples, and tombs represent a specific architectural style of the ancient Egyptians. The art was highly symbolic and depicted gods, pharaohs, and important events in the country’s history. Literature was also developed in Ancient Egypt; one of the most famous works is the Book of the Dead, a collection of spells and prayers believed to help guide the deceased through the afterlife.
Asian Classical Civilization
One of the most well-known Asian classical civilizations was Ancient China during the Qin Dynasty. The Terracotta Army, built during the Qin Dynasty period, is one of the most important art pieces (Scarre). The Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang represents the specific architectural style of the Dynasty.
The literature of the Qin Dynasty was mainly focused on history and philosophy. The most famous work from this period is the Records of the Grand Historian, which was written by Sima Qian and is considered one of the most important historical works in Chinese literature.
Work Cited
Scarre, Chris, et al. Ancient Civilizations. E-book ed., Taylor & Francis, 2021.