1. Title: Classical Civs Overview Notes
(~600 BCE – 600 CE)

2. Classical Themes:
Civs created after 1000 BCE have direct links to civs which exist today.
Chinese history flows from the Zhou dynasty to the present
India lacks political continuity but has cultural carry-over
Even Western society, with more interruptions can find direct philosophical and political connections to the Greek and Roman civs.

3. Themes, cont. Three Classical civilizations: China India
Mediterranean (Middle East, Southern Europe, & North Africa)
Assyrian/Persian empires also influential, but not as durable as the 3 Classical Civs
Mesoamerica – delayed – we will discuss later
Much larger than river valley civs but did not reach many of the world’s people.
Classical Civs established institutions and values that would have enduring effect.
China’s intense political centralization
India’s regionalism
Emotional restraint of Chinese and Japanese society
Greater emotional expression in the Mediterranean

4. Themes, cont.
Classical Civs more than just continuations of river valley civs.
Iron technology = military advantage
Larger & more complex political structures = control more territory
Geographical shift:
India from Indus to Ganges
China includes rice-growing Yangtze River as well as Huang He
More elaborate philosophy and religion
Expanded science, math, and technology

5. Themes, cont.
Expansion & Integration: each civ spread outward from a regional center to embrace a growing diversity of people and a growing amount of territory = challenge of building institutions and beliefs to integrate, but not necessarily homogenize these people.
Politics
Trade
Distinct cultural features

6. Themes, cont. Expansion: Integration: Contacts: existed, but limited
Massive population growth before 1 CE
Migration to seek new food supplies and avoid overcrowding
Military expansion & conquest
Integration:
China & India worked harder than Greece & Rome
Contacts: existed, but limited
Silk Road and Indian Ocean Trade Network
Exchange of luxuries, some artistic and religious influences

7. The Roman & Persian Empires

8. Classical India: Mauryan & Gupta

9. Classical China: The Han Dynasty

10. Cultural Zones Large regions unified by common traditions
Communication and trade caused the broad diffusion of religious ideas, artistic styles, & technologies.
Large regions unified by common traditions
Hellenistic
Roman
Chavin
Olmec
Hindu
China

11. Two major areas of trade
Indian Ocean
Silk Road