Decline of the Classical Civilizations AP WORLD

Fall of Classical Civs Between 200 and 600 CE all three classical civilizations collapsedBetween 200 and 600 CE all three classical civilizations collapsed Germanic invaders disrupt the Roman EmpireGermanic invaders disrupt the Roman Empire The Huns invaded RomeThe Huns invaded Rome Another Hun Group disrupted the Gupta Empire in IndiaAnother Hun Group disrupted the Gupta Empire in India

Han China/Roman Empire suffered from severe internal weaknesses well before the invasionsHan China/Roman Empire suffered from severe internal weaknesses well before the invasions By 100 CE Han China is in serious declineBy 100 CE Han China is in serious decline Han and Roman share many characteristics of declineHan and Roman share many characteristics of decline

Political ineffectivenessPolitical ineffectiveness Inability to push back invadersInability to push back invaders Revolution/Civil WarRevolution/Civil War Daoists: Yellow TurbansDaoists: Yellow Turbans Peasant unrestPeasant unrest EpidemicsEpidemics

China, post-classical China does revive itself towards the end of the 6 th centuryChina does revive itself towards the end of the 6 th century Sui DynastySui Dynasty Tang Dynasty (618 CE)Tang Dynasty (618 CE)

India India was always a REGIONAL kingdom, whereas the Emperor shared power with local princesIndia was always a REGIONAL kingdom, whereas the Emperor shared power with local princes This control was declining by the mid-5 th centuryThis control was declining by the mid-5 th century InvasionsInvasions Regional Princes, the Rajput, controlled the small states of IndiaRegional Princes, the Rajput, controlled the small states of India Indian Culture continues to evolveIndian Culture continues to evolve Affected by Muslim armies after 600 CEAffected by Muslim armies after 600 CE

Roman Decline After 180 CE, Roman fell into disrepairAfter 180 CE, Roman fell into disrepair CorruptionCorruption Declining populationDeclining population Declining tax revenueDeclining tax revenue Disputes over succession to the throneDisputes over succession to the throne Intervention of the armyIntervention of the army PlaguesPlagues International trade…International trade… Economic DeclineEconomic Decline

Roman Collapse DECLINE OF THE UPPER CLASSDECLINE OF THE UPPER CLASS InfluenceInfluence CreativityCreativity Deadening effect of authoritarian ruleDeadening effect of authoritarian rule Sole interest in luxurySole interest in luxury

In the West… As conditions worsened, as economic life became more precariousAs conditions worsened, as economic life became more precarious Farmers clustered under the protection of large landownersFarmers clustered under the protection of large landowners Offer food, work, shelter, and SAFETYOffer food, work, shelter, and SAFETY Local Stability, but weakened the power of the EmperorLocal Stability, but weakened the power of the Emperor Cities SHRINK in sizeCities SHRINK in size

Diocletian ( CE) tries to improve the EmpireDiocletian ( CE) tries to improve the Empire Improve administrationImprove administration Improve tax collectionImprove tax collection Worship Emperor as a GODWorship Emperor as a GOD Persecute ChristiansPersecute Christians

Constantine ( CE)Constantine ( CE) Set up second Capital City in the EAST to regulate that side of the Empire more effectively: Constantinople (the city of Byzantium)Set up second Capital City in the EAST to regulate that side of the Empire more effectively: Constantinople (the city of Byzantium) Adopts Christianity to help unify the empireAdopts Christianity to help unify the empire

Decline was exacerbated by the Germanic Invasions (which only totaled about 5% of the Population)Decline was exacerbated by the Germanic Invasions (which only totaled about 5% of the Population) BUT…Rome was so weak…they were successfulBUT…Rome was so weak…they were successful The final Roman Emperor was displaced in 476 CEThe final Roman Emperor was displaced in 476 CE

Post-Classical Mediterranean Eastern portion of Empire: Centered on ConstantinopleEastern portion of Empire: Centered on Constantinople BYZANTINE EMPIREBYZANTINE EMPIRE Justinian ( CE) tries to recapture heritage of RomeJustinian ( CE) tries to recapture heritage of Rome Justinians Code: Codified LawJustinians Code: Codified Law Middle East: Parthian and Sassanid empires serve as a bridge between Mediterranean World and the EastMiddle East: Parthian and Sassanid empires serve as a bridge between Mediterranean World and the East

North Africa: Regional KingdomsNorth Africa: Regional Kingdoms Coptic Church: EgyptCoptic Church: Egypt North African ChristianityNorth African Christianity WESTERN EUROPE: Middle AgesWESTERN EUROPE: Middle Ages FeudalismFeudalism Regional KingdomsRegional Kingdoms