For answering such a set of questions we need a theoretical framework to clarify the concepts, and an accurate and objective methodology to organize the facts. I will try to deal with these cases through a systemic approach, related to my complex-systems-theory based model of socio-cultural evolution, which is called the Zorvan paradigm.
First of all, the facts and factors: we need a vivid understanding of civilizations and their sphere of influence, plus a documented history of the emergence of the main religions. For determining the boundaries of a civilization with an integrated national identity, we employ two acknowledged criteria: duration of a central political entity governing a certain geographical realm, and normative presence of a national language.
The rest of this article is published in the 3rd number of Gilgamesh international edition