Classical Civilizations Review

Classical Civilizations Time frame? 500 bce-500ce Why is this period called “classcial”? Answer: the term highlights the enduring traditions that have persisted until the 21 st century: Religion: Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism (and a little later Islam) as well as Greco-Roman philosophical and political influences. Overarching continuities: type of government (monarchy/dynasty), patriarchy, sharp social divisions endured, as well as slavery Overarching changes: population growth across the world (pg. 89), rise and fall of large empires, distinctive philosophical-religious traditions developed, modest technological innovations (mostly in China), far more elaborate networks of communication and trade

Persia : begins earlier than traditional “classical civ”, Cyrus the Great 600 bce. Massive 35 million people, large landmass of diverse languages, cultures. Extensive administrative over 23 provinces (governors-administrators tax collectors, record keepers, translators) standard coins, roads, canals) VERY wealthy Absolute monarchy Greece : also begins earlier (750 bce) lasts about 400 years before becoming enveloped into other empires. (see ? at bottom) Small pop=2 to 3 million Not a Persian style empire, Greeks had independent city- states tied together only by language and religion. They expanded by creating colonies (so not all one connected empire as in Persia) Democracy How does this change under Alexander the Great?

Rome & China Similarities: flourish at same time (200bce-200ce), similar area and population (1.5 million square miles/50-60 million people), they have very little knowledge of each other. Rome: begins as a city-state with a monarchy 700 BCE. By 509, they threw off their king and established a republic, led by 2 consuls and advised by a Senate of patricians (wealthy class). Over time, a written code of laws, a public assembly and an office of Tribune which represented the plebeians (lower class). It was with this law code that the Romans launched their empire building (takes 500 years). By early 2 nd century CE they reached their maximum extent. This expansion depended on their army. Resources (such as metals and food supplies) and wealth fed the Roman empire as they expanded. **This wealth created a rich class which depended on slavery. Riches also empowered military leaders (Caesar, etc.) who recruited their own troops…leading to civil war. After this, power now rested solely with the emperor, no republic.

China: during the classical age they are not creating something new but restoring. Their civilization went back much further to 2200 bce under Xia and Shang dynasties. By 500 disunity and civil war, “warring states period”. The Qin dynasty succeeded under the leader Shihuangdi in unifying China. Like Rome, China’s empire building is dependent on a strong army. However, China’s empire was built much more quickly. The Han dynasty that followed the Qin (from 206 bce-220ce) kept the centralizing features (best example=bureaucracy). It was the Han who consolidated China’s imperial state. The foundation for a unified state was set and it endures to the present day! A good and moral government became understood in Confucian ideology. Ideas such as the Mandate of Heaven helped unify the state even more. (government & philosophy tied together) Romans also began to view their emperor as a god.

Rome & China continued Both empires absorbed a new religious tradition: Christianity in Rome and Buddhism in China. Christianity in the Roman empire spread slowly and mostly amongst the poorer classes. Communication networks of the Roman empire aided this cultural diffusion. By 4 th century CE, Roman emperors began to support Christianity in an attempt to unify people behind the government. This helped it spread even faster. Buddhism in China: comes from India. Doesn’t really become popular until after the Han collapses. People probably turned to it due to the chaos and confusion of the collapsed dynasty. Under the Sui dynasty ( ce) Buddhism receives state support.

Rome & China continued Citizenship: The people conquered by the Chinese in effect became Chinese. By 212 CE, almost all free people of the Roman empire were given citizenship. So, Roman empire tied together through legal status (issues related to land, family, commerce ) Chinese, on the other hand, were held together through a unified culture, language and a government based on merit/civil service. Culture: As the Roman empire expanded, they did bring their culture with them (Latin language, city life, public buildings, religious rituals). However, they also adopted foreign cultures too, especially Greek. (Today we refer to Greco-Roman culture). Whereas the Chinese experienced little competition from foreign cultures. So, the conquered people of the Roman empire could maintain their cultural traditions far more so than in China (especially due to their unified language).

Rome & China continued Both of these civilizations collapsed! Han in 220 CE and Rome in 476 CE (western half only). Common features: too big, too overextended (meaning they were difficult to govern and maintain), and too expensive. The growth of (and competition between) large landowning families who didn’t pay taxes and impoverished tenant farmers also contributed to the weakening of the central government; i.e. they have too much power. Rivalry affects government as power struggles ensue. Disease also a factor: 25% decrease in Roman population over 200 years= less production, less $ for gov., fewer soldiers. Nomadic tribes: as the Han dynasty weakened CE, the Xiongnu tribes breached the frontier defenses, setting up barbarian states in northern China. Germanic tribes (who were fleeing the Huns) entered the Roman empire 300 CE, establishing their own kingdoms. Displaced the Roman emperor by 476 CE. (new HYBRID mixed culture=Latin & Germanic)

Collapse continued: in both China and Rome, this collapse means the decline of urban life, less cultivated land, diminished trade and insecurity. China reassembled itself (after 300 years of disunion and political chaos). A single emperor ruled, and a bureaucracy influenced by Confucian ideas returned. (Sui, Tang and Song) This equals one of the longest political traditions of any civilization in world history. In Western Europe, no large-scale centralized imperial authority has ever been successfully reestablished. Small territories run by kings, lords and nobles took its place. (Feudalism) These kings were frequently at odds with the Catholic Church. Whereas in China, Confucianism was largely secular, focusing on political matters. Economically, China was more productive at this time, which gave the government a lot of resources and stability.

Indo-Aryan invasion 1750 B.C.

The Caste System Has there been any flux or change within the caste system? A= Yes, Brahmins/Ksatriya switch, encompasses other people as empire expands, Sudra ceases to be lowest varna to the untouchables.