AP World History Unit 2 600 B.C.E. – 600 C.E.

Existing Religions transform Religious codes provide bond and ethical framework for people Judaism – Monotheism Hebrew Scriptures Reflected influence of Mesopotamian culture, legal traditions Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Romans conquered Jewish states Contributed to Jewish Diaspora around Mediterranean

Hinduism Sanskrit scriptures formed basis of Vedic Religions (Hinduism) Multiple manifestations of Brahma Reincarnation Social, political caste system

New belief systems emerge Buddhism Teachings of Buddha Beliefs surrounding desire, suffering, enlightenment Reaction to Vedic Beliefs Changed as spread through Asia Initially supported by Mauryan Emperor Ashoka Spread by missionaries and merchants Established educational institutions

Confucianism Writings of Confucius Promote social harmony Outline proper rituals Established social relationship for all Chinese

Daoism (aka Taoism) Stressed balance between humans, nature Designed to alter Chinese political system Influenced Medical practices, poetry, metallurgy, architecture

Greco-Roman philosophy Philosophy, science emphasized Logic Empirical observation Nature of political power, hierarchy

Christianity Beliefs about teachings, divinity of Jesus of Nazareth Recorded by his disciples Influenced by Judaism, Greco-Roman society Spread by missionaries, merchants despite initial opposition from Rome Gained support from Emperor Constantine

Impact of religion, other belief systems Values reflected in art, architecture Hinduism Buddhism Christianity Greco-Roman Reinforced existing social structures Offered new roles to some men and women Confucianism – Filial piety Christianity, Buddhism - Monasticism

Other religious traditions Shamanism Animism Ancestor veneration

States, Empires Develop Number and size grew dramatically Rulers unified competing states

Asian Empires, States Southwest Asia – Persian empires (Achaemenid, Parthian, Sassanian) East Asia – Qin, Han dynasties South Asia – Mauryan, Gupta dynasties

Mediterranean Empires, States Phoenicia (and colonies) Greek city-states (and colonies) Hellenistic and Roman empires

States, Empires in the Americas Mesoamerica - Teotihuacan, Mayan city-states Andean South America: Moche North America: Chaco, Cahokia

New Techniques of Administration In China, Persia, Rome, and South Asia, rulers created: Centralized governments Legal Systems Bureaucracies

Promotion of Trade, Military Power Currency Diplomacy Supply Lines, Fortifications, Defensive Walls Roads Soldiers drawn from local areas, conquered populations

Imperial Cities Centers of trade, religious ritual, political administration Persepolis Chang’an Pataliputra Athens Carthage Rome Alexandria Constantinople Teotihuacan

Social Structures Cultivators Laborers Slaves Artisans Merchants Elites Caste Groups

Food production/rewards for elites Corvée labor (in lieu of taxes) Slavery Rents, tributes Peasant communities Family, household productions

Patriarchy Shaped gender roles Determined family relations Paterfamilias (Rome) Filial Piety (China)

Collapse of Empire – internal issues Roman, Han, Persian, Mauryan, Gupta could not overcome internal issues Political, cultural, administrative Governments put too much wealth in hands of elite Generated social tensions Created economic difficulties

External pressure on empires Threats of invasions loomed Xiongnu >> Han China White Huns >> Gupta Northern/Eastern “barbarians” >> Romans

Trade routes Land, water routes developed, facilitating: Examples Interregional trade Communications Cultural exchange Examples Eurasian Silk Roads Trans-Saharan Caravan Routes Indian Ocean sea lanes Mediterranean sea lanes

Results of new technology Pack animals used for long-distance trade East Africa >> East Asia trade facilitated Maritime technology Knowledge of monsoon winds

New farming techniques Encouraged by spread of rice and cotton from South Asia to Middle East Examples: Quanāt system Water wheels (noria, sakia) Wells, pumps (shaduf)

Spread of disease Diminished urban population Contributed to decline of empires Roman, Han

Religions spread Christianity Hinduism Buddhism Transformed as they spread