Classical Civilizations Global Review #2
Classical Civilizations What are the three characteristics of Classical Civilizations? All Classical Civilization have a GOLDEN AGE!!!! P Strong, Centralized Government eace Strong trade networks and strong economy rosperity Contributions/ ideas lasting until today rogress
Greece Geography Accomplishments Mountains: Limited fertile land; Divided Greeks City- States -Athens: Education, art -Sparta: Militarism Sea: Dependent on Mediterranean Sea for food and resources; skilled sea traders Direct DEMOCRACY! -Philosophy- human reason (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle) -Pillars, human form -Traded with Phoenicians (alphabet), Persians and other Mediterranean sea traders Alexander the Great: Spread Hellenistic culture (Greek blended w/ Persian)
Rome Geography Accomplishments Lasts for almost 1,000 years Geography Accomplishments Mediterranean Sea: location at center = control of Med. Sea trade An empire: controls many diverse peoples, from one capital or a centralized gov’t Julius Caesar – 1st dictator Augustus Caesar - 1st Emperor LAW! The Twelve Tables -Republic: Indirect democracy -Advances in Engineering aqueducts, ROADS Architecture: arch & dome -Greco-Roman Culture -Split in half—Western Rome (Middle Ages) and Byzantine Empire
Gupta Geography Accomplishments Subcontinent of India Himalayas in North: isolate and protect India; passage through Hindu Kush Monsoons - seasonal winds that bring rain & fertile soil Arabic numerals! Concept of zero & decimals Influenced by Hinduism Sanskrit record keeping
Han Geography Accomplishments Chinese Government? Mountain, plateaus and deserts in Western China isolation ethnocentrism Population in East (arable land, river valleys) Huang He/Yellow River Valleys Influenced Korea & Japan Civil Service exams based on Confucianism (rule by example) Trade on Silk Road Dynastic Cycle- rise & fall of dynasties (ruling families) Mandate of Heaven- divine approval to rule
All Empires Fall for the same reasons: What are they? Internal External Corrupt Government High Taxes Weak Military Declining infrastructure (bad roads= lack of trade) Weak Borders Outside invaders! Attacks!