1. Roots of the West

2. I. What is the West... Centers on Europe and America. Centers on Europe and America. –Includes Western Europe, North America, Australia, and even parts of South America Has ideas and elements that are thousands of years old. Has ideas and elements that are thousands of years old.

3. II. Chronology and Periods "Ancient" "Classical", "Medieval", "Early Modern", and " Modern“ Ancient = all of history before 500 CE Ancient = all of history before 500 CE {"CE" means "common era" "BCE" means "Before the Common Era".} Classical = Periods in ancient history which produced art and literature that inspired later generations. Classical = Periods in ancient history which produced art and literature that inspired later generations. –Greece in the 5th and 4th centuries BCE, –Rome from the 1 st century BCE to the 1 st century CE. –Rome from the 1 st century BCE to the 1 st century CE.

4. Medieval = European history between about 500 and 1500 CE Medieval = European history between about 500 and 1500 CE Early Modern = European history from about 1400 to 1789, and the French Revolution. Early Modern = European history from about 1400 to 1789, and the French Revolution. Modern = History since the French, American and Industrial revolutions in the late 18th century. Modern = History since the French, American and Industrial revolutions in the late 18th century. These definitions are centered on Europe. Other parts of the world are on their own schedule of development These definitions are centered on Europe. Other parts of the world are on their own schedule of development

5. III. Egypt Egypt - c. 4000 BC Longest continuous civilization Egypt - c. 4000 BC Longest continuous civilization Contributions: Contributions: –Religious ideas Polytheism Polytheism –Architecture –Math – Geometry

6. Mesopotamia c. 4000 BCE - in Iraq- includes the cultures of Sumeria, Babylonia, and Assyria Contributions c. 4000 BCE - in Iraq- includes the cultures of Sumeria, Babylonia, and Assyria Contributions -Writing -Writing –“Code of Hammurabi”- first written legal code Numbers - use of base 12 Numbers - use of base 12 –(12 hour periods for days) Astronomy and Astrology Astronomy and Astrology Code of Hammurabi

7. IV. The People of Israel The Jews are the only ancient people that still exist The Jews are the only ancient people that still exist –Took ideas from Egypt and Mesopotamia –Controlled by both the Greeks and Romans Contributions Contributions Monotheism Monotheism –Belief in one caring God –Unity of cult and ethics A belief in history – sense of the future A belief in history – sense of the future Jews wrote the Bible (Old Testament specifically Jews wrote the Bible (Old Testament specifically –The Bible is one of the chief sources of western culture –Spread by religious schools created by Rabbis –Translated into Greek These IDEAS pass into Christianity and Islam. These IDEAS pass into Christianity and Islam.

8. V. Greece A major source of Western IDEAS. A major source of Western IDEAS. –Survive in literature and art Contributions Contributions –Democracy –Natural style art –Philosophy- Socrates, Plato, Aristotle –Early definitions of government and science Alexander the Great - c. 300BC. Alexander the Great - c. 300BC. –Conquers the whole Eastern Mediterranean. Greek ideas, and the Greek language dominate the area.

9. VI. Rome Started to rise in influence around 300BCE Started to rise in influence around 300BCE By year 1 CE, unified the Mediterranean into one government. By year 1 CE, unified the Mediterranean into one government. –All elites spoke either Greek or Latin. Contributions Contributions –Latin- Alphabet –Roman Law Basis of laws in most of Europe. Basis of laws in most of Europe. US law is influenced by Rome. US law is influenced by Rome. –The ideal of Unity and the Universal state

10. VII. Christianity Jesus Christ. Born c.6 BCE, Died 33CE. Jesus Christ. Born c.6 BCE, Died 33CE. –Founder of Christianity. St. Paul, St. Paul, –A Greek-speaking Jew –Main apostle of the Faith. –United Jewish and Greek ideas in Christianity. Christianity becomes religion of Mediterranean area c. 400. CE Christianity becomes religion of Mediterranean area c. 400. CE

11. VII. The collapse of the Classical World The Mediterranean was a united cultural area, and then it fell apart. The Mediterranean was a united cultural area, and then it fell apart. Roman Empire: Roman Empire: – Invasions from the outside Barbarian cultures Barbarian cultures – Economic problems internally. Too big and too expensive Too big and too expensive –Splits into the Western and Eastern Empires in 330CE

12. Byzantium The Empire in the East continued, based in Constantinople. The Empire in the East continued, based in Constantinople. –Greek language and artistic style The Byzantine Empire lasts until 1453- Invasion of Constantinople by Islam The Byzantine Empire lasts until 1453- Invasion of Constantinople by Islam –Culture still dominates Eastern Europe and Russia, through the Greek and Russian Orthodox Churches. Contributions Contributions –Legal Code organized by Emperor Justinian – Laws apply to everyone, equally

13. Islam The religion of Arab townsmen. The religion of Arab townsmen. –Led by Mohammad (d. c. 640, Hijira 622). –Eventually took control of all North Africa, Egypt, Anatolia (under the Turks) and for a time Spain. Islam is an heir to classical civilization. Islam is an heir to classical civilization. –Mathematics from Mesopotamia Algebra Algebra –Philosophy from the Greeks –Monotheism from the Jews.

14. Western Empire Latin Christendom Latin Christendom –Dominated by Barbarians (outsiders)- French, Spanish, Italians, British, Germans. –The least developed of the three cultures –The most competitive for land and power Dominated by the Church of Rome. Dominated by the Church of Rome. – It was a Latin reading and speaking world. This area became the West. This area became the West.

15. VIII. The Western Middle Ages A. From around 600 to 1000 CE. A. From around 600 to 1000 CE. –Most people lived on the land- Subsistence farming. –No towns larger than around 10,000. B. 1050 - Latin Christendom comes to life. B. 1050 - Latin Christendom comes to life. –States begin to pull themselves together –England, France, Germany (for a time) –Concept of Kingship and what a king should be and do - Architecture develops. Christianity becomes more like it is today. Christianity becomes more like it is today. – Devotion to Mary (Catholics) –Mass. –Development of all the religious orders (monks and nuns).

16. X. The Renaissance End of 14 th Century to mid 16 th Century The re-birth of classical culture The re-birth of classical culture –Started in Italy –Rediscovery of classical knowledge –Led to new ideas in literature, architecture and science –Led to the Scientific Revolution (17 th Century) Study of Natural Laws Study of Natural Laws –Galileo, Copernicus, and Newton New Inventions- Telescope, Printing Press New Inventions- Telescope, Printing Press

17. XI- Age of Exploration From 1300s to 1800s From 1300s to 1800s –Europeans expanded their knowledge of the world Borrowed ideas and resources from non- Western cultures Borrowed ideas and resources from non- Western cultures –China: Gunpowder, printing, paper money –North and South America: chocolate, corn, potatoes, tobacco. –Africa: ivory, diamonds, cotton, Pushed their cultural ideas through superior technology, Pushed their cultural ideas through superior technology,