ancient civilisations and empires in history

let's list 'em.
off the top of my head, there's ancient greece (philosophy! sculpture! tragedy!), rome (gladiators), the byzantine empire/constantinople (mosaics, awesome architecture), ancient india (uh.. elephants?), ancient egypt (pyramids and papyrus!) .. ancient china (vases, funny hats and robes), feudal japan (ninjas)

am I missing any? add please.

>>50
Central american and southern chinese civilisation were initiated on their own, they were originators of organised civilisation, they did not imitate the growing empire just over the hills.

You still haven't defined what you mnean by modern thought yet. I am beginning to think you are incapable of modern thought!