If I were given a chance to choose in when and where I would be born in, there are four options that I would seriously consider. The first period of course would be right now, anywhere in the first world nations where technology reigns supreme. Next in line would be in southern Europe during the Renaissance. Thirdly, anywhere in the Islamic civilization from the Abbasid rule till the Umayyad Andalusian days and finally during the classical era in Athens or Rome.
I wouldn’t choose any place in the new world during the ancient times simply because the culture there was too barbaric and thus living even the most decent life will be almost impossible. Ancient Egypt and the Mesopotamian (or the Persian) are also out of the equation because, although their architectural feats were impressive, the Greek and Roman provide a far more interesting scenario. Finally, I wouldn’t live in Chinese Empire realm because they were technically and geographically deprived from contact with any other powerful civilization and thus lack the excitement that Athens, Rome, Alexandria, Cairo, Damascus and Baghdad enjoyed.
The first thing that I will explain is my choice on the modern world.
Why anyone wouldn’t want to live anywhere in a first world country today? All life’s possibilities are here and today. Information and wealth are excessively abundant. The distance between one point to another are nothing but physical. We could virtually reach the other side of planet in mere minutes. The internet has made our life easier in almost every means necessary. All we need to do is order a delicious pizza or an ATi Radeon 9700 Pro over the net and then wait for the pizza boy or postal service to deliver it right to your front door. Read what is happening in Baghdad today while you are sitting comfortably in front of a high end computer with an instant black coffee on your side to start the beautiful day during the warm greenly spring. Go to classes or offices or in matter of fact, anywhere with modern day transportation. It doesn’t how, by the tires, cruise all the way across the pacific or airborne; you will get there eventually (provided the wallet is thick of course). Food are plentiful and not to mention delicious. People are friendly or at least polite. Hack, this is heaven on Earth baby. There are some problems though like Osama bin Laden and getting a bad score for an engineering course exam but hey, life is a risk and we all will die sooner or later. If you think too much of the risk, you might as well commit suicide now.
On the other hand, life during the Renaissance would be interesting indeed. Trade was on its peak and kingdoms were starting to send out expedition to find land in order to find new profitable trade routes. Wealth was starting to build up and culture was enjoying rejuvenation like it had never seen before. Be in the court of kings and see how their recklessness changed the world. Be in Seville and Lisbon and look out for Columbus, Diaz or Magellen. Or better set foot in Pisa and Venice and see how Michelangelo polished up his name. At the same time, listen the argument Galileo made against Church and quietly laugh at the Church illogical counter arguments against a single man revolutionized modern astronomy. Life was a high profile drama back then. At the same time, enjoy the mythical stories of the oriental and read the scientific works of Muslim scholars during the golden age of Islam.
One will wonder how the Renaissance was achieved and eventually will look in the direction of the desert during the day when Islam ruled supremacy in all areas. Be in ancient Damascus and Baghdad and see how Islam saved the world, the European in particular by preserving the classical Greek works and further refined it. Make yourself present in the House of Wisdom that was established by Harun al-Makmun and be marveled at the collection of books before it was destroyed by the ravaging Mongol armies. See also how they transferred the art of paper making from China through the Silk Road to the other part of the world and used to for their own advancement. At the same time, be amazed at how they integrated the modern numerical system into theirs, abandoning the abacus and thus enabling scholars making steps further in the field of Mathematics. Look at how the great Persian and Byzantium Empire crumbled under the might of the Muslim army.
Wonder at how the Crusaders managed to conquer Jerusalem and see Saladin reconquered the holy city of Religions of the Book. Listen to the stories concerning the struggle between Richard the Lionheart and Saladin. And finally, be in Alhambra to experience the height of Islam in Cordova and Granada, the one place that became the genesis point of European supremacy.
If that doesn’t impress you, sure being side by side, or least living during the times of Julius Caesar, Mark Anthony, Brutus and Marcus Aurelius or with Alexander the Great and Plato himself makes you shudder. See how Caesar and Anthony fell in love with Cleopatra or be in front of the Roman Senate and hear to Mark Anthony when he said “Friends, Romans or Countrymen!” out loud after the assassination of a great person that changed a republic into a despotism and inevitably a monarchy. If you like the dead tree edition, then delve by yourself in the Great Library of Alexandria and enjoy the wisdom of the ancient world or see yourself the construction of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
Damn I love history.
