Globalization

In a well constructed five (5) page essay, please highlight a period in history which illustrates your understanding of globalism and globalization. For the period which you choose, I would ask that you also illustrate the contribution of that time period to the world in which we live right now. In other words, please explain to me what makes their contributions both life altering (for their period) and historically significant. This contribution can be an idea, a societal value, a theme, an invention, etc. I will tell you now that the only thing I ask you NOT to write on is Greek democracy; I already know that we live in a democratic nation!
Once again, this is a five (5) page essay, Times New Roman, 12 point font. A cover page does NOT count as a page, neither does your bibliography. More than 5 pages is acceptable, within reason. Please include 5 quotes to support your ideas. You will need a bibliography, correctly formatted (do NOT use bibme).