AP Exam Study Session #2 Classical Civilizations in the Mediterranean and Classical Civilizations in Decline

CLASSICAL MEDITERRANEAN CIVILIZATIONS PERSIAN EMPIRE Founded by Cyrus the Great Characteristics: Tolerant of local customs Effective government and military Developed Zoroastrianism (new religion) Developed iron technology Supported the arts

PATTERNS OF GREEK AND ROMAN HISTORY Greece rose first Introduced city-states (around 800 BCE) 5th century BCE—Reached high point under Pericles Decline set in after the Peloponnesian Wars between Athens and Sparta Expansion occurred under Alexander the Great Greek values and culture spread widely during the Hellenistic period CITY-STATE Polis

Rome emerged as an expanding republic while Hellenism declined Defeated Carthage in the Punic Wars The republic evolved into an empire After the death of Julius Caesar Pax Romana--Enjoyed great power and prosperity for 200 years Next 250 years brought a slow but decisive fall Despite efforts of emperors like Diocletian and Constantine

GREEK AND ROMAN POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS Both emphasized aristocratic rule with democratic elements Greek polis Citizens participated actively in political life Athens used direct democracy Allowed citizens to shape policy in general assemblies DEMOCRATIC ELEMENTS Were significant

Roman republic and empire In the republic, the Senate was the main legislative body Senate’s influence waned under the autocratic empire Rome later added an emphasis on law Also created institutions necessary to run a vast decentralized empire

Greece and Rome didn’t generate a lasting major religion RELIGION AND CULTURE Greece and Rome didn’t generate a lasting major religion Christianity did arise in the classical Mediterranean context Their religions used epic poems and mythology Philosophy and science relied on rationality Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle were the most well-known Greek philosophers There was a strong artistic and architectural tradition

ECONOMY AND SOCIETY IN THE MEDITERRANEAN Both societies had social features of an agricultural economy Included a large peasantry, land-owning aristocracy, and dependence on commerce and trade Both societies used different versions of the patriarchal family structure Slavery existed Women were not as oppressed as they were in China

180 CE—Rome began to decline Symptoms were gradual FALL OF ROME 180 CE—Rome began to decline Symptoms were gradual Causes of the collapse included: Loss of territory Weak and insane rulers Economic reversals Difficulty of tax collection Plagues Population declined Invaders INVADERS Invaded periodically until the empire finally collapsed Included Huns and Germanic tribes like the Goths and Vandals

CLASSICAL PERIOD--DIRECTIONS, DIVERSITIES, AND DECLINES (BY 500 CE) EXPANSION AND INTEGRATION Common themes included: Territorial expansion Efforts to integrate the new territories Unification took place through different mediums China united through centralization India united through religious values Mediterranean world united through cultural achievements

Integration required territorial and social cohesion Each civilization valued social distinctions

BEYOND THE CLASSICAL CIVILIZATIONS Important developments occurred outside the centers of civilization Significant civilizations developed in the Americas and in Africa Americas—Olmecs, Maya, and Inca Africa—Kush, Axum, and Ethiopia Agriculture and other developments spread across northern Europe and northern Asia Semi-civilized people developed extensive contacts with older civilizations

Nomadic societies were very important Particularly in central Asia Linked and disrupted classical civilizations Important popular migrations across Eurasia led to the rise of new cultures

DECLINE IN CHINA AND INDIA Happened first in China and then in India Caused by internal weakness and nomadic invasions Huns attacked all three classical civilizations China’s decline 100 CE—Han Dynasty began a serious decline Caused by: Weakened central government Social unrest led by overtaxed peasants Epidemics Inability to stop nomadic invasions China revived briefly under the Sui and Tang Dynasties HUNS Central Asian nomads SUI DYNASTY By 600

India’s decline Wasn’t as drastic as decline in China 600 CE—Huns destroyed the Gupta Empire No native Indian led a large state there for several centuries Hinduism gained ground Buddhism declined Was unappealing to the warrior caste After 600 CE—Islam entered India Arab traders took control of Indian Ocean trade routes Only Hinduism and the caste system survived

DECLINE AND FALL IN THE MEDITERRANEAN Greece was absorbed by Rome Rome’s decline was complex Western empire collapsed in the 400s Eastern empire continued as the Byzantine Empire for 1,000 years

THE NEW RELIGIOUS MAP DURING CLASSICAL DECLINE Buddhism and Christianity expanded rapidly This had wide cultural, social, and political implications Islam appeared later Spread following the previous spread of Hinduism across south and southeast Asia

Collapse of classical civilizations THREE MAJOR THEMES FOR WORLD HISTORY IN SUBSEQUENT PERIODS DEVELOPED AROUND 500 CE Collapse of classical civilizations Eurasia had to revive or rework their institutions after decline and invasion New religions appeared and older ones spread Formed basis for future civilizations New developments led to the rise of new civilizations Through indigenous developments or contacts with older civilizations