Chapter 5

1. Chapter 5 The Classical Period: Directions, Diversities, and Declines by 500 C.E.

3. Synthesis Confucius (ca. 551–478 B.C.E.), Laozi Buddha (ca. 566–480 B.C.E.) Socrates (ca. 469–399 B.C.E.) Unification of territory political, legal, commercial networks social aspect Inequalities uprisings Did they (thinkers) have contact with each other? What inspired them all, at similar times? Common need to articulate central values in society, as part of larger process of generating a shared culture on the basis of which their expanding societies might operate I. Expansion & Integration

4. How did they set about uniting their expanding territories? (China, India, Mediterranean) China: Greater centralization, esp. in politics India: Remain more local & diverse Uses key religious values & spread of Hinduism to cement civilization Mediterranean: Remain more local & diverse Cultural achievements spread, but involve less of population Integration involves 2 basic issues: Territorial: China “rein in” southern regions Promote common language for elite Southward spread of castes system & Hinduism addresses this issue in India Rome combined local autonomy & tolerance w/ common laws, & expansion of citizenship across the empire Social: All 3 foster great inequalities b/t men and women AND b/t upper and lower class Nature of inequalities varies, though Mediterranean slavery to Indian castes system to Confucian sense of hierarchy Assumption of inequality as normal was common to all three, and most leading thinkers (Buddha exluded) did not oppose this I. Expansion & Integration

5. Independent developments c. 600 C.E. Were the 3 great civilizations the only “thread” in world history during the classical period? NO! (but rest were mainly autonomous) A. Sub-Saharan Africa Upper Nile Region Kush by 1000 B.C.E. Axum conquers Kush by 300 B.C.E. Ethiopia conquest of Axum Trade with Mediterranean Activity of Jewish merchants brought some converts to Judaism Christianity by 300 C.E. West Africa southern fringe of Sahara regional kingdoms Ghana II. Beyond the Classical Civilizations Egypt, Kush and Axum

6. Independent developments c. 600 C.E. Were the 3 great civilizations the only “thread” in world history during the classical period? NO! (but rest were mainly autonomous) A. Sub-Saharan Africa Upper Nile Region Kush by 1000 B.C.E Masters use of iron Axum conquers Kush by 300 B.C.E. Ethiopia conquest of Axum Trade with Mediterranean Activity of Jewish merchants brought some converts to Judaism Christianity by 300 C.E. West Africa southern fringe of Sahara regional kingdoms Ghana II. Beyond the Classical Civilizations

7. B. Asia Japan agriculture well-established by 200 C.E. regional states, c. 300 C.E. writing introduced 400 C.E. Shintoism organized by 700 C.E. Provided for worship of political rulers and spirits of nature, inc. god of rice A simple religion state formation by 600 C.E. II. Beyond the Classical Civilizations East Asia at the End of the Classical Period

8. C. Northern Europe Lagged behind Japan’s pace Germanic, Celtic, Slavic peoples loose kingdoms Some had succumb to Rome (Germany, England), but regional politics resume after fall oral culture simple agriculture Still combined w/ hunting Sailing Developments by Scandinavians Animistic Would change through Christianity No written language Until about 1000 CE, N. Europe remained one of the most backward areas in the world II. Beyond the Classical Civilizations Germanic Kingdoms After the Invasions

9. D. Central America Olmec, c. 800–400 B.C.E. no writing Massive pyramids Agriculture especially corn potatoes in Andes domestication of animals turkeys, dogs Advances: Calendars Artistic forms in stone Religious statues that blend human images w/ animals Disappeared w/o clear trace around 400 BCE legacy to successor cultures Teotihuacan Built by successors Maya from 400 C.E. II. Beyond the Classical Civilizations Civilizations of Central and South America

11. What resulted from 2 centers of early civilizations in Americas developing in isolation? • Lacked certain advantages that come from ability to copy and react to other societies, including things such as: • Wheel • Capacity to work iron • Despite this, they were still considerably ahead of most of those in Europe during same period

12. E. South America Ancestors of Inca Peru, Bolivia F. Polynesia Isolation Fiji, Samoa by 1000 B.C.E. Hawaii by 400 C.E. Giant outrigger canoes G. Nomads Central Asia Played vital role in trade routes b/t East Asia & Middle East II. Beyond the Classical Civilizations The Spread of Polynesian Peoples

13. A. China Han Dynasty decline starts 100 C.E. Central gov’t control diminishes, bureaucrats become more corrup Daoist revival (184 CE) Yellow Turbans (leaders) Promise golden age Epidemics Kill ½ of population Leads to chaos Sui Dynasty Helps revive Chinese dynastic cycle Tang from 618 C.E. One of the most glorious periods in Chinese history Confucianism and bureaucracy revived Continuity Unlike in Rome, chaos caused no permanent disruption Structures of China simply too strong to be overturned III. Decline in China & India Asia, c. 600 C.E.

14. B. India Invasions from 600 C.E. Gupta empire destroyed by Huns from north (similar to Europe) Fragmentation Rajput (regional princes) Buddhism declines Hinduism worship of Devi popular Islam New threat to India from 7th century control of Indian Ocean III. Decline in China & India Indian Ocean Trading Routes in the Classical Period

15. A. Changes Leadership Problems after 180CE Plagues Trouble recruiting armies Source was increased trade; no resistance Change from republican values Hedonism (upper classes turn away from politics and become more “pleasure seeking” Less children…Why? Interfered w/ life of pleasure Too many superficial values Diocletian (284–305 C.E.) emperor worship Tighten admin of empire and get taxes Persecuted Christians Constantine (312–337 C.E.) Constantinople 2nd capital city Unify w/ Christianity None of these revived empire as whole IV. Decline and Fall in Rome

16. B. Two Empires Eastern Greek Constantinople continuity, vigor > Byzantine Empire Western Latin, Germanic Rome decline, vulnerable Last emperor in 476 CE Considered date that Western Rome falls > Western Europe Justinian (527–565 C.E.) Byzantine Tried to recapture whole heritage of Rome Justinian Code Famous compilations of Roman law IV. Decline and Fall in Rome Germanic Kingdoms After the Invasions

17. C. Middle East Parthian Empire Sassanids from 227 C.E. Zoroastrianism D. North Africa Augustine bishop of Hippo Coptic church Egypt Minority today Was fall of Rome in west noticed at time? IV. Decline and Fall in Rome

18. Common Features Piety Intense devotion spiritual focus Afterlife emerge in period of political instability A. Hinduism, Buddhism, and Daoism Buddhism changes as it spreads Bodhisattvas Nirvana Mahayana China, Korea, Japan minority religion V. The New Religious Map

19. B. Christianity Institutional church Roman influence Papacy Bishops Jesus of Nazareth Salvation Spread Paul Doctrine Trinity Monasticism Benedict of Nursia Rule Urged disciplined life Started a monastery Women spiritual equals of men V. The New Religious Map

21. C. Islam Later, 7th century D. The Spread of Major Religions Animism declines E. The World Around 500 C.E. V. The New Religious Map