Focus 1/20 The classic civilizations of Greece, Rome, and the Byzantine Empire created many advances. The Greek city state of Athens created democracy. Rome’s Laws of the Twelve Tables influenced modern legal codes. The Byzantine influenced Russia by introducing the Cyrillic alphabet to Russia and Justinian’s Code preserved Greek and Roman law.

Classical Civilizations

China Geographic Setting Yellow Sea High Mountains Gobi Desert Pacific Ocean Huang He (Yellow) River Yangzi River

China Geographic isolation caused them to become ethnocentric Middle Kingdom

China Like the Inca in South America, the Chinese practiced Terrace Farming

China Dynastic Cycle Mandate of Heaven – Divine approval to overthrow a dynasty

China Qin Dynasty – First emperor Shi Huangdi Strong centralized government based on legalism Shi Huangdi’s greatest achievement was building Great Wall

China Han Dynasty Most famous Emperor – Wudi Used Confucianism Used civil service system Like the Romans, built an extensive system of roads

China Advances of Han Dynasty Made paper from wood pulp Invented wheelbarrow Fishing rod Rudder Acupuncture anesthesia

India Geographic Setting Fertile Northern Plain Deccan Plateau – dry/desert like Coastal Plains Thar Desert Isolated by Mountains Khyber Pass – Invasion Route through mountains Monsoons Indus and Ganges Rivers

India Early cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro showed advanced urban planning

India Mauryan Empire Chandragupta Maurya was first to unite India ASOKA – converts to Buddhism, tolerant ruler, promotes trade Pillars of Asoka – written law codes

Gupta Empire In India Gupta Empire – GOLDEN AGE OF INDIA Influenced by Hinduism Expands caste system Advances in math and medicine Concept of Zero Decimal System Cave Paintings at Ajunta Stupas

Greece Geographic Setting Located in southeastern Europe Like Japan and England, had an irregular coastline Many mountains and isolated valleys Scattered Islands

Greece Develop political units known as city-states or polis Two most famous city-states = Sparta and Athens Sparta = strict military state Athens develops direct democracy and seeks well-rounded education

Athens Athens reaches a Golden Age under leadership of Pericles Pericles believes the biggest responsibility of the people is to participate in government

Greek Philosophy Greek Philosophers believed the best way to explain the world was through observation and reason Socrates Plato Aristotle

Alexander the Great Alexander the Great of Macedonia creates Hellenistic Civilization through conquests Hellenistic Civilization is a combination of Persian, Greek, Egyptian, and Indian cultures

Rome Geographic Setting Located on Italian Peninsula Mediterranean Sea Few Natural Barriers

Rome Rome establishes a republic Most powerful governing body was senate Plebians Patricians Law codes – Laws of the Twelve Tables

Rome Rome becomes an empire Pax Romana – 200 years of peace and stability in Roman Empire Like the Han, built an extensive system of roads

Rome Roman Contributions Legal System Republican form of government Laws of Twelve Tables Architecture Aqueducts