What Are History's Most Important Ideas?
The coins shown here come from many different historical periods and regions. So, why are they so similar?
While each major historical period is distinct, they also share many general similarities. For example, each period features developments in the ways countries organize governments, conduct trade and business, and think about spirituality. These kinds of broad, recurring subjects are known as historical themes.
Themes cut across regions and periods; while 12th-century Japan and 21st-century Canada seem completely unrelated, we can compare each of these societies using themes. How did each region select its leaders? What did people in each region do to earn a living? How were women treated in each society? By paying attention to themes that occur throughout history, we can better understand how past people and events relate to life today.