Question

Elam, Ninevah, Babylon were but beautiful vague names, and the total ruin of those worlds had as little significance for us as their very existence. But France, England, Russia...these too would be beautiful names. Lusitania too, is a beautiful name. And we see now that the abyss of history is deep enough to hold us all. (“The Crisis of the Mind,” p. 1)
Which of the following best describes the purpose of Valéry's reference to ancient civilizations in the above passage?

We still remember them so we should be encouraged that our civilizations won't be forgotten either.

While no one can know the future with certainty, humanity has made a lot of progress and isn't likely to be destroyed.

While the names of both ancient and modern civilizations may be beautiful, whatever of value any of them have done may be lost forever.

Essimism is self-destructive; we must move forward and not repeat our mistakes.

Answer 1

The correct option is this: WHILE THE NAMES OF BOTH ANCIENT AND MODERN CIVILIZATION MAY BE BEAUTIFUL, WHATEVER OF VALUE ANY OF THEM HAVE DONE MAY BE LOST FOREVER.
The author in the above passage refers to the ancient civilization in order to pass across the message that, just as those civilization disappear with nothing left of them, the modern civilization will also disappear one day. The depth of history is deep enough to swallow up both the past and the present.