10 Exact Moments That RUINED An Entire Civilization

The Third Punic War

Carthage

Carthage is thought by many to be the greatest enemy Rome ever faced. The Punic Wars were fought between these ancient superpowers between 264 and 146 BCE. They were composed of three wars, the first two of which were a major struggle for Rome. Despite the massive odds against them, Rome came out victorious in both conflicts. By the beginning of the third war in 149 BCE, Carthage was a shadow of its former self. The third war was heavily one sided, with the city of Carthage being completely decimated. The 50,000 survivors were sold into slavery, and Rome banned any settlements in the area. The destruction paved the way for Rome’s dominance in the Mediterranean, letting them conquer the sea with little resistance.

The Little Ice Age

Vikings of Greenland

Following the unusual Medieval Warm Period, a Little Ice Age began, roughly in the 14th century. In approximately 985, Vikings settled on Greenland and began colonizing the large North American island. There they thrived for centuries, erecting two major Norse settlements. When they first settled, the warm period made for an abundance of farmland, but by 1250 things started to change. By the year 1450, all settlements had been completely abandoned, and the Vikings of Greenland were no more. The Little Ice Age is thought to be responsible, and if not for it, we might still have a Norse North America.

Flooding of Cahokia

Cahokia

Cahokia was one of the most advanced Native American cities on the continent. It existed between 1050-1350, in modern-day Illinois. At its peak, roughly 20,000 people lived there, which is more than Paris housed at the same time. The city thrived on trade, being situated near the Illinois and Missouri rivers. Unfortunately by 1350, it had been completely abandoned. This has long been a mystery, but it allegedly began its decline around 1200. Currently, we believe this happened due to an immense flood, which meant by the time Europeans made it to America, it had long been abandoned.

The Scramble for Africa

Multiple Civilizations

In the late 19th century, one of the most brutal and ruthless periods of colonization began. This was the Scramble for Africa, a period where European powers suddenly realized they had the technology to subjugate an entire continent. In 1884, western powers met at the Berlin Conference, to divide most of the continent between them, with no regard for the indigenous people’s opinions. This conference led to some of the most inhumane practices, from Britain’s invention of concentration camps to Belgian King Leopold II creating arguably the most disgusting colonial state in history. To list all nations destroyed in this brutal period would require an entire video on its own.

The Plague of Justinian

Multiple Civilizations

In the 6th century CE, the bubonic plague originated in the Eastern Mediterranean, and then quickly spread throughout the Eastern Roman Empire. It decimated the population, and thwarted the Empire for centuries. It was called the Plague of Justinian, after the Byzantine Emperor who caught but survived the disease. It spread beyond the Empire, affecting Western Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East as well. While it didn’t outright destroy any civilizations, it ruined many for centuries. Estimates of deaths range from 15 to 100 million people, a staggering amount especially at that time. Records suggest it persisted in some form well into the 8th century and significantly altered the course of history.

The Indus Valley Collapse

The Indus Valley Civilization

The Indus Valley civilization was one of the earliest human civilizations. Founded in 3300 BCE, it had completely disappeared by 1300 BCE. Located in modern day Pakistan and India, they had sophisticated cities and writing and thrived along the Indus River. Their urban planning and trade networks were advanced, but eventually the civilization experienced a severe decline. Currently, we believe this due to severe climate change. This would have suddenly caused droughts, and tectonic activity may have caused rivers to shift course, crippling agriculture. Their once flourishing capital cities fell into ruin, their complex society dismantled. This collapse ruined one of the world’s earliest urban cultures and reshaped the historical trajectory of South Asia.

The Dutch East India Company

Multiple Civilizations

The Dutch East India Company, or VOC, was established in 1602 in a pivotal moment for global history. As the world’s first multinational corporation, they sought to dominate the spice trade in Asia. Eventually they became the richest company of all time, and would be worth roughly $7.8 trillion in the modern era; by comparison, in 2018 Apple reached $1 trillion in valuation. Its aggressive expansion and practices caused the exploitation and subjugation of numerous Southeast Asian regions, such as the Moluccas and Java. Their interventions not only caused immediate suffering, but also had long-term effects on the economic, political and social structures of the civilizations. They also set a precedent for colonial exploitation, inspiring Western powers to follow in their footsteps.

The Mongol Invasion

Multiple Civilizations

In the 13th century, Genghis Khan’s Mongol horde emerged from the steppes of Asia. They were an unstoppable force, and in only a few decades conquered the majority of Asia. They subjugated China and decimated Eastern Europe. Few civilizations were unaffected by their conquests. Some examples are the Xia and Jin dynasties in China, the Kievan Rus in Russia, and the Abbasid Caliphate in the Middle East. These invasions wreaked unparalleled havoc across the entirety of Eurasia. Cities were razed, societies destabilized, roughly 10% of the entire world’s population perished. These conquests reshaped entire regions, causing widespread suffering, and the fragmentation of many civilizations.

Spanish Conquest

The Aztec Empire

The Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, culminating in 1251, was a cataclysmic event that destroyed Meosamerica’s most advanced civilization. Hernán Cortés led the Spanish forces, aided by indigenous allies and powerful weaponry, and besieged the beautiful lake city of Tenochtitlan. At its time of conquest, it was one of the world’s largest cities, home to over 200,000 people. Eventually, after intense battles and disastrous outbreaks of smallpox, the population was decimated. The Spanish destroyed temples, palaces, and records, erasing much of Aztec culture and history. This pivotal moment obliterated the Aztec Empire and initiated centuries of exploitation in the Americas.

The Fourth Crusade

The Eastern Roman Empire

The Fourth Crusade began in 1202, and culminated in the sacking of Constantinople in 1204. This was one of the most destructive events in history and the nail in the coffin for the centuries-old Roman Empire. Countless works of art, architecture, and cultural landmarks were destroyed. The Western Crusaders looted vast amounts of treasures from the city, from which it would not recover for centuries. This catastrophe resulted in immense loss of life, the dispersal of a thriving population, and the obliteration of crucial cultural and historical heritage. This unparalleled destruction makes it one of the most heinous moments that ruined a civilization.


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