The Historic City of Ayutthaya, Thailand
The power of the ancient world is astounding. In our modern society, we tend to believe that we have progressed so far – that we are so advanced. We forget the grandeur of what came before us, centuries and centuries ago.
A bit of a history lesson:
This is a photo I took while visiting the historic city of Ayutthaya, Thailand, the counry’s capital prior to Bangkok. The city dates back to the 1300’s and over the centuries, it became one the largest and most prominent cities in the world. The city was extremely technologically advanced with systematic roads, canals, water management, and so forth, which was unique in all the world. It was also a major center for global trade. It culturally and economically connected the East and West, what seemed to be two opposite worlds.
The architecture of the ancient city consisted of impressive, intricate palaces and temples. “Art, literature, and learning flourished.” Buildings were ornately decorated, which included art that mixed traditional styles with modern (at the time) culture. Opposites coming together to create unique beauty.
However, in the 1700’s, the city was burned down by the Burmese army. Literally, the city was left in ruins. Those ruins remain to this day and Ayutthaya is now a UNESCO Word Heritage site.
(Information found through http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/576)
Opposites – ancient society vs. modern society
We must never forget the influence of the past. It has shaped our modern society, even though we may not always recognize it. Touring the ruins of Ayutthaya, we can envision the beauty and power of the ancient world. We must respect and honor it. We must never forget its invaluable lessons. So, is our modern society truly “opposite” from the ancient world? No, nor should these two worlds ever be considered opposites.
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