Civilizations Ontop of Civilizations

[CarlManvers2019]

@ShieldWife
You just reminded me, I’ve wanted to talk about this concept for quite awhile

This is a concept I’ve only now noticed relatively recently in High/Dark/Low/Epic Fantasy

But the idea of there having been many ancient long forgotten civilizations with their own ancient times honestly feels to me to be a true Cosmic Horror

The fact that the characters or people of those older times weren’t too different from those of “today” in a way, even moreso

How well do you think it compliments fiction, especially Fantasy to have things like Atlantis or old Aldmeris to have existed in-universe but be far from perfect or ideal itself with its own “Deadly Decadent Courts” or daily struggles even with somewhat more advanced technologies and the like

 

[ShieldWife]

It’s a really common trope in a lot of fantasy and I have to admit, it appeals to me on an emotional level. Probably to others too, since the idea has been around so long. In the Middle Ages they looked back at classical Greece and Rome. Before that, they had Atlantis or the mythical Golden and Silver ages. I bet we could find a lot of literature from around the world that has a real or imagined amazing past civilization.

I think in any case, the fallen civilization is more interesting if it has flaws. The civilization did fall after all and falling because of their own problems is way more interesting and engaging than some random catastrophe like a comet or flood.

“The dwarves delved too greedily and too deep. You know what they awoke in the darkness of Khazad-dum... shadow and flame.“
A common reason for the fall of the epic past civilization is going too far. The dwarves dug too deep, maybe the might mage lords of the past tried to master magic too powerful for them to control. In the Bible, God punished mortals for trying to build a tower that could reach up to heaven. Pride is a really good flaw for otherwise awesome and competent people.

We could also go with a decline or morals. The people became corrupt, debauched, lazy, immoral. They fell because they no longer had the moral ability to maintain an advanced civilization. This might be an explanation that matches more closely with the fall of real world empires and civilizations.

 

[CarlManvers2019]

We could also go with a decline or morals. The people became corrupt, debauched, lazy, immoral. They fell because they no longer had the moral ability to maintain an advanced civilization. This might be an explanation that matches more closely with the fall of real world empires and civilizations.

That and things like sudden environmental cataclysms, for the Thurian Age and Hyperborean Age of Robert E. Howard and the Atmorans from Elder Scrolls

Even wars, invasions and political intrigue

Bet most people barely ever spare a thought for House Mudd, House Frost or House Greystark unless you’re educated in Westerosi History on Westeros