Chapters 2-5 Classical Era Review

Major Civilizations

Classical China Civ w/ largest territory & population Dynasties – Zhou: unified language, Mandate of Heaven – Qin: peace & order, infrastructure – Han: cultural flowering, professional bureaucracy, decline = dynastic cycle

Classical China Philosophies – Confucianism: role, obligation, order – Daoism: harmony, balance, avoid excess – Legalism: rule by law, harsh punishments – Buddhism: suffering, end desire, reincarnation Foundations of exchange established – Silk Road necessary b/c of quality of Chinese goods & technology

Classical India Centralized gov’t exception rather than rule – regional gov’t = less political focus – Mauryan: largest empire – Gupta: period of cultural flowering Culture & religion become emphasis of Indian society – Hinduism & Caste System – Buddhism

Classical India Regional govt & beliefs of Hinduism lead to cultural diversity – Language, religious beliefs Indian Ocean fuels economy based on trade & spread Indian influence

Classical Mediterranean Two centers of civilization – Greece: then shifts to … – Rome: became extensive empire throughout Europe & N Af Known for political innovations – Democracy & republic – Administration not as innovative as theory – Result of lack of world religion

Classical Mediterranean Decline was catastrophic – Economic deterioration, population lost, nomadic invasion – Ends civ in region, allows Christianity to grow Culture based on rationality w/ greatest advances in art & architecture Economy based on slavery, commercial agriculture, & trade on sea

People to Know

Example Questions Hellenistic culture brought together the traditions of which of the following regions? A. Mediterranean, Mesoamerican, sub-Saharan African B. Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Scandinavian C. Mesoamerican, Scandinavian, Mediterranean D. East Asian, South Asian, sub-Saharan African E. Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, South Asian

Which example from the classical world best characterizes the principle of cultural diffusion? A. Preference for silk garments among the Roman elite B. Victory of Sparta in the Peloponnesian War C. Conversion of Asoka to Buddhism D. Growing influence of Confucianism in China during the Han dynasty E. Sacking of Rome by the Visigoths in 410 CE

Which of the following early crops was unique to the early civilizations of the Western Hemisphere? A. Oats B. Millet C. Barley D. Wheat E. Maize

Which of the following best describes BOTH the Roman and the Han empires? A. Both empires used the family as the model for state organization. B. Mounting costs associated with defending imperial frontiers led to economic and political crises. C. New religions were easily assimilated into existing imperial religious ideologies. D. Taxation of mercantile activity accounted for most government revenue.

Which pair of rulers underwent a religious conversion process that had a broad-based impact on the lands under their control? A. Julius Caesar and Shi Huangdi B. Hammurabi and Julius Caesar C. Tutankhamen and Pericles D. Asoka and Constantine E. Henry VIII and Justinian

Which policy did both Roman and Han armies tend to implement upon taking control of a foreign land? A. Enslavement of the entire working-age population B. Repression of local worship and imposition of a state religion C. Cessation of trade contact with the rest of the world D. Construction of libraries & universities E. Relative autonomy for cooperative local elites

In Greek civilization, women A. Held slave status in every household B. Enjoyed political equality with men C. Were afforded the same rights no matter the city-state in which they happened to reside D. Dominated trade E. Were considered inferior to men in both the private and public spheres

Which of the following ancient texts did not serve as a spiritual guide for those who lived by it? A. Vedas B. Analects C. Torah D. New Testament of the Bible E. Koran

Example Questions Compare the social structures of two of the following societies: – China India Mediterranean Compare the role of trade in Indian and Mediterranean civilization. Compare the role of technology in Chinese and Mediterranean civilization. Compare the administration of government in Han China and the Roman Empire.