Unit 1: The Ancient World Greco/Roman Civilization - Lasting contributions of Greco/Roman civilizations - The Fall of Rome

The Middle Ages: Time period between Classical Rome and the Renaissance. 400 C.E. – 1450 C.E. In European history The “Dark” Ages: The Early Middle Ages are sometimes called the “Dark” because they appeared less “enlightened” than the ancient Greco – Roman or Renaissance (“rebirth”) periods, and because documentation of the period is often sparse and unreliable.

I. Greek Civilization A. A series of city-states begin to develop rich cultures circa 600 BC 1. Athens: seat of learning, philosophy, artistic and literary greatness; Athenians also value freedom of thought and expression 2. Sparta: a military-oriented society; stressed physical fitness and military/ obedience to one’s society B. Achievements of Greek Civilization 1. Great literary achievements: Epic poems by Homer (the Iliad & the Odyssey) Birth of theatre (dramas, comedies, tragedies) An enduring mythology tells of the origins of the world and offers morals for proper living 2. The birthplace of democracy Athens developed a government based on active participation of all citizens Decisions based on the will of the majority The concept of citizenship and devotion/patriotism to your city/country

Birthplace of philosophy in the western world Socrates (Father of logic), Plato, Aristotle search for wisdom and truth in themselves and in their fellow men Sought to better the human condition through use of logic Philosophy means “love of wisdom”

4. Art, Sculpture: emphasized realism, and the grace and beauty of the human form; architecture – Greek style commonly used today on govt buildings, college campuses 5. Physical fitness, athleticism emphasized, glorified 776 BC: first Olympic games held 6. Scientific, mathematical advancements Euclid: the father of geometry Archimedes: calculated the value of pi, developed the lever Erastosthenes: concluded that the Earth had a circumference of 24,662 miles (only 200 miles off!) 7. The first study of history Herdotus: the father of history; the first to attempt to gather the stories of the past together and present them as history

C. Greek Civilization Spreads 1. Conquests of Alexander the Great (356-323BC) spreads Greek culture throughout the world 2. 149 BC: the Greeks are conquered by the Romans, who adapt the Greek civilization to their own and build on it – Hellenistic Culture

II. Roman Civilization

A. Rome rose from a small village on the Tiber River in central Italy (ca. 800 BC) 509 BC: Rome overthrew their Etruscan rulers, became Independent Slowly expands its borders over the centuries by conquest/trade For five centuries, Rome is a republic (government of Elected officials) 14 BC: Augustus is crowned as Rome’s first emperor (republic ends) 120 AD: Roman emperor at its height 300s-400s: a slow decline 476 AD: the fall of Rome

The Roman Forum

Roman Forum Ruins

B. People of Rome Rome was divided up into several different groups who struggled for power Patricians: wealthy landowners who held most of the power Plebeians: the common farmers, artisans, and merchants; majority of pop.

Tribunes: elected representatives who protected the rights of the plebeians from patrician officials

Consuls: two officials with limited power and one year terms; one controlled the army the other directed the government Dictator: in times of crisis, the republic could appoint a leader with absolute power to make laws and control the army; power lasted for 6 months Legions: military units made up of 5,000 soldiers

B. Roman Achievements 1. Government systems, offices A republic; citizens elected to various offices for a term of years, public affairs A legislative branch to make laws (Senate) an executive branch to run the affairs of the state a judicial branch to administer Roman courts 2. A world-wide network of trade goods moved along established trade routes by land and sea Western Europe, north Africa, much of Asia, including China Use of money (gold and silver coins) replaced the less efficient barter systems of exchange 3. Latin: the language that became the basis for many modern languages French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian are today the Romance Languages, direct offshoots of Latin Much of English also of Latin origin

4. Grand architectural styles Temples, domes, aqueducts 5. Christianity’s origins: Began as an offshoot of Judaism in the Roman province of Judea, ca. 30 AD Early Christians persecuted by Rome in savage games 313 AD: Emperor Constantine ends persecutions grants religious tolerations to Christians 380 AD: Emperor Theodosius makes it the official religion of the empire Centered in Rome, the Roman Catholic Church grows in power as the empire goes into decline