Key Concept 2.1: The Development and Codification of Religious and Cultural Traditions Period 2: 600 BCE-600 CE Spread of Religion

Why now? States and empires increase in size and contacts between regions multiplied… religious and cultural systems were transformed

Religion and Belief Systems Provided a bond among the people and an ethical code to live by Influence and reinforce political, economic, and occupational stratification Religious and political authority merged- rulers used religion, along with military and legal structures, to justify and ensure its continuation Generate conflict- partly because beliefs and practices varied greatly within and among societies

Existing Religious Traditions Codifications and further developments of existing religious traditions provided a bond among the people and an ethical code to live by Judaism Hinduism

Judaism First MONOTHEISTIC religion Torah (Holy Book)- codified around 500 BCE Reflected Mesopotamian culture and values Hebrew communities conquered leading to the DIASPORA

Hinduism Vedic Religion codified in Sanskrit by 500 BCE Basis for the CASTE SYSTEM and REINCARNATION NOT polytheistic Many manifestations of the ONE Brahma

New Belief Systems New belief systems and cultural traditions emerged and spread, often asserting universal truths Buddhism Confucianism Daoism Christianity Philosophy

Buddhism Founded by SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA around 500 BCE Taught that desire led to suffering End suffering by ending desires Spread through the work of MAURYAN EMPEROR ASOKA

Confucianism Founded by Kong Qiu (Confucius) Spread by key disciples (Ex: Mencius) Taught proper relationships from Emperor to local villages Stressed PATRIARCHY and FILIAL PIETY

Daoism Dao = The Way (Path) Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu Balance between humans and nature HUGE role in Chinese history: Political system Medical theories/practice Poetry Metallurgy Architecture

Christianity Founded by Jesus of Nazareth around 30 CE Believe that Jesus was the son of God Spread despite ROMAN persecution Eventually gained Roman Imperial support (Constantine)

Greco-Roman Philosophy and Science Also solidified/codified around 500 BCE Questioned a diverse range of topics and ideals Science, mathematics, elements, gods, the universe, reasoning, logic, Socratic Method, Scientific Method, etc. Key Thinkers: Socrates Plato (founder of WESTERN PHILOSOPHY) Aristotle

Gender Roles Monasticism- encouraged by both Buddhism and Christianity Filial Piety- Basis of Confucianism

Other Traditions Continue Shamanism and Animism Mainly used outside the CORE civilizations Stressed daily reliance on natural world

Ancestor Veneration Worship of your ancestors Africa East Asia Andean Mediterranean

Artistic Expression Literature and Drama Took on distinctive styles that had repercussions into later eras

Artistic Expression Distinct Architectural Styles What you stereotypically think of buildings in different areas took root in this era Indian Temples, American Pyramids, Greek Temples

Artistic Expression Greco-Buddhism- blending of two cultures (syncretism) Between Alexander and Islam