a great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within will durant (Durant, William James Durant (de-rānt´), William James Known as "Will." 1885-1981 American historian who wrote The Story of Civilization (1935-1975), an 11-volume history of the world on which his wife Ariel (1898-1981) collaborated. (Excerpted from The American HeritageŽ Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition Š 1996 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Electronic version licensed from INSO Corporation; further reproduction and distribution in accordance with the Copyright Law of the United States. All rights reserved.)) from mel gibson academy award winning director of braveheart and passion of the christ when the end comes not everyone is ready to go mel gibson's apocalypto 2006 .com c 2006 touchstone pictures and icon distribution, inc.