Classical Civilization in the Mediterranean: Greece and Rome

The Persian Tradition & Etruscans Founded by Cyrus the Great Founded by Cyrus the Great Developed Iron tech. Developed Iron tech. Developed new religion Developed new religion Zoroastrianism -mid- 5th century BCE Zoroastrianism -mid- 5th century BCE Etruscan civilization pre- dated Rome Etruscan civilization pre- dated Rome Romans overthrew them in 509 BCE Romans overthrew them in 509 BCE

Patterns of Greek/Roman History Rise of city-states around 800 BCE Rise of city-states around 800 BCE After Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta, decline set in After Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta, decline set in New expansion occurs under Alexander the Great New expansion occurs under Alexander the Great Hellenistic Period Hellenistic Period Rome emerged as Hellenism/Greek culture declined Rome emerged as Hellenism/Greek culture declined Carthage (Hannibal) is defeated in the Punic Wars, Rome expands Carthage (Hannibal) is defeated in the Punic Wars, Rome expands

Economy & Society in the Mediterranean Agricultural economy Agricultural economy Large peasantry Large peasantry Land-owning aristocrats Land-owning aristocrats Dependence on trade and commerce Dependence on trade and commerce Patriarchal family structure Patriarchal family structure Slavery Slavery Slightly less repressive towards women (compared to China) Slightly less repressive towards women (compared to China)

Rome in Decline Rome declines after 180 CE Rome declines after 180 CE Symptoms were gradual Symptoms were gradual Loss of territory and economic reversals Loss of territory and economic reversals Empire over expanded Empire over expanded Corruption of officials Corruption of officials Invaders raided Rome until empire finally collapses Invaders raided Rome until empire finally collapses

Ch. 5: Changes by 500 CE

Expansion and Integration Common themes: territorial expansion and new territories Common themes: territorial expansion and new territories China united through centralization China united through centralization India united through religious values India united through religious values Mediterranean united through cultural achievements Mediterranean united through cultural achievements Each civilization valued social distinctions Each civilization valued social distinctions

Beyond Classical Civilizations Significant civilizations developed in Significant civilizations developed in The Americas (Olmecs, Maya, Incas) The Americas (Olmecs, Maya, Incas) Africa (Kush, Axum, Ethiopia) Africa (Kush, Axum, Ethiopia) Agriculture spread Agriculture spread N. Europe N. Europe N. Asia N. Asia Nomadic societies played a vital role Nomadic societies played a vital role Central Asia Central Asia Linked and disrupted classical civs. Linked and disrupted classical civs.

Decline in China and India Internal weakness & nomadic invasions Internal weakness & nomadic invasions Huns attacked all three civilizations from Central Asia Huns attacked all three civilizations from Central Asia 100 CE: Han dynasty declines 100 CE: Han dynasty declines Weakened central gov. Weakened central gov. Overtaxed peasants Overtaxed peasants Disease Disease China revives with Sui and Tang dynasties by 600 CE China revives with Sui and Tang dynasties by 600 CE In India, Huns destroy Gupta Empire by 600 In India, Huns destroy Gupta Empire by 600 After 600, Islam enters India After 600, Islam enters India Arab traders take control of trade routes Arab traders take control of trade routes Hinduism and caste system remain Hinduism and caste system remain

Decline and Fall of Rome Central issues Central issues Population decline Population decline Leadership faltered Leadership faltered Difficult tax collection/corruption Difficult tax collection/corruption Diseases Diseases Germanic invasions in the 400s Germanic invasions in the 400s Empire splits in two Empire splits in two Byzantium in the east continues for another 1000 years Byzantium in the east continues for another 1000 years

The World Around 500 C.E. Collapse of classical civilizations Collapse of classical civilizations Societies across Eurasia forced to rework key institutions and values Societies across Eurasia forced to rework key institutions and values New religions arose New religions arose Christianity Christianity Later, Islam Later, Islam Rise of new civilizations Rise of new civilizations Both indigenous developments and through contact Both indigenous developments and through contact