the great sea a human history of the mediterranean

This sea has always been an environment that has bred outstanding people who have made remarkable contributions to the development of history in philosophy, art, music, literature, science and technology. The Mediterranean Sea is a symbol of creativity, of the search for the meaning of life and for wisdom, and of the love of people and nature. It looks as if it is a closed sea, but it offers the main transportation routes between east and west. The world map shows what a unique location the Mediterranean Sea has in the world - it is big enough to house all of us but at the same time, with its unique shape, with its islands, bays and straits, it creates the means to connect the people around it. 1 Our Sea played a major role in the communication of the peoples around it and prevented clashes between people with different interests from different parts of the Basin. Known in English and the romance languages as the sea 'between the lands', the Mediterranean goes and has gone by many names: Our Sea, for the Romans, the White Sea ( Akdeniz) for the Turks, the Great Sea ( Yam Gadol) for the Jews, the Middle Sea ( Mittelmeer) for the Germans and more doubtfully the Great Green for the ancient Egyptians.

The Mediterranean Basin has been the cradle of world civilization since the first settlements in Jericho in 9000 BC.

The great sea a human history of the mediterranean