If you could go back in time...

So here's a random thought I've been kicking around in my head today: If you could go back in time, what ancient civilizations or places would you visit? Jessica and I are always talking about our lists of places we'd love to see, our top destinations, or new "it" spots, but what if history and time had no limits? Here are my thoughts on the places/civilizations I'd travel to:

1. The Minoan Civilizations of Greece - 1500BC: The Minoan's were based on the island of Crete (and surrounding islands) and held power in the Mediterranean from 3000BC-1400BC. The Minoan's controlled much of the trade with mainland Greece, Egypt and surrounding islands during that period and are thought to have been one of the most powerful groups of the time period. It's from this dynasty that Classical Greece formed. This culture and civilization are shrouded in much mystery as two earth changing volcanic eruptions largely wiped them from the face of the planet (Thera in 1500BC and Santorini in 1600BC). The Minoan dynasty is probably the leading candidate for Plato's fabled tales of the Lost City of Atlantis.
2. Ancient Rome - 75AD: This is an empire that ruled for over 9 centuries, but if I had my way I'd go back between 50BC and 150AD - at the height of Rome's power. At this time, Rome lorded over much of Africa, all of the Mediterranean, extended as far north as the British Isles, and as far east as the Persian Gulf.
3. Mayan Empire - 900AD: The Mayan Empire stretched over much of present-day Mexico and northern Central America. The population density at this time was similar to Los Angeles today. The fall of this empire is one of the great historical mysteries, and we're left with some of the most fascinating archaeology and ruins in the world including the only complete Pre-Columbian writing system in the Americas.
4. Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon - 600BC: Babylon could be found in present-day Iraq and was one of the great military powers of the ancient world. In addition to its influence on the region that shaped the next 2000 years, Nebuchadnezzar constructed one of the seven wonders of the ancient world: The Hanging Gardens of Babylon. This society was so advanced that it even developed the first form of negligence law; a concept not rediscovered until the 20th century.
5. Ancient Egypt: Do I even need to say anything here? How about some random unknowns: The Egyptians were responsible for inventing black ink, ox-drawn plows, sails, paper, organized labor, hieroglyphics as an early system of writing, the 365 day calendar and Leap Year, lock and keys, combs, scissors, wigs, makeup, deodorants, toothbrush and toothpaste, cement, glass (just to name a few...).