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The mysterious origins of the Mediterranean: Why did the ancient Egyptians call it the 'Great Green'?
The Mediterranean Sea, a sea almost completely surrounded by land, is known for its unique geographical location and rich history. This sea area is not only an important channel for trade and cultural exchanges, but also the cradle of many ancient civilizations. The name of the Mediterranean Sea originated from ancient culture. Even the name given to it by the ancient Egyptians still makes people feel mysterious and curious. Why did they call this sea "the great green"?
The name "Great Green" comes from the ancient Egyptians' praise for the marine ecology and its rich life, reflecting their respect and understanding for this body of water.
The Mediterranean Sea covers an area of approximately 2.5 million square kilometers, accounting for only 0.7% of the global ocean surface. However, its only connection to the Atlantic Ocean is the narrow Strait of Gibraltar, which is only 14 kilometers in diameter. The history of the Mediterranean Sea can be traced back to 5.9 million years ago, when it was isolated from the Atlantic Ocean and experienced a long period of dryness. It was not until about 5.3 million years ago that it was flooded again. The green color implied in the name may be due to this. The richness of life and ecology nurtured by this body of water.
The countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea in a clockwise manner are Spain, France, Italy, Greece and North Africa. These areas not only have beautiful coastal scenery, but also served as a communication platform for ancient merchants and travelers. The ancient Roman Empire once had complete control over this sea area and called it "Mare Nostrum", which means "our sea", which undoubtedly shows its importance to this sea.
“The ocean is a connection, and the Mediterranean is the most important bridge of culture and trade in human history.”
Historically, the Mediterranean has been the birthplace of many ancient civilizations, such as ancient Egypt, the Minoan civilization and the Greek city-states. The prosperity of these civilizations is inseparable from the trade routes and resources provided by the ocean. Especially in the Bronze Age, major cities and ports along the Mediterranean coast were extremely active, and prosperous trade led to the cultural integration of different regions.
After entering the Middle Ages, with the rise of the Byzantine Empire and the Arab Empire, the history of the Mediterranean underwent dramatic changes again. The Arab conquest of Spain and Sicily introduced many crops, thus ending the thousand-year-old isolation of the Mediterranean food culture. Faced with external invasions and the development of trade with China and India, the diversion of trade routes in the Mediterranean had a long-term impact on Europe and its surrounding areas.
“The Mediterranean is not just a body of water, it is a cultural treasure trove of countless stories and history.”
In modern times, with the changes in transportation technology, the Mediterranean has once again become an important shipping channel. The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 marked an important advancement in global trade, and Mediterranean ports were revitalized by the new logistics routes. In the 20th century, the rise and fall, hegemony and cooperation of various countries in the Mediterranean that we see today are the histories witnessed by this ocean.
However, in the 21st century, the situation in the Mediterranean faces new challenges. With the influx of immigrants, this sea area has been described as a "cemetery" where countless lives have been lost. How to properly handle these immigration issues while protecting human values is a major issue facing the world today.
The Mediterranean is not only a body of water where countless civilizations have risen and fallen, it is also a place where culture, trade and human destiny are intertwined. The ocean is constantly changing, but what lessons can we learn from it?
