Israelites Began Judaism, history and religious beliefs recorded in written form in the Hebrew Bible. Emerged as a distinct group of people, organized in tribes, who established a united kingdom known as Israel. Wise King Solomon of Palestine, made Jerusalem capital of Israel. Known for building a temple in the city of Jerusalem. Expanded the army and encouraged trade. Upon his death the kingdom split.

Jewish Beliefs One God called Yahweh, the creator of the world and everything in it. Monotheistic –belief in only 1 God Believe that made a covenant (contract) with them. He promised to guide them if they obeyed the law of God stated in the 10 Commandments. Believed that certain religious teachers called prophets were sent by God. They taught social justice.

Confucius believed that social order, harmony, and good government could be restored in china if society were organized around five basic relationship. 1. Ruler and Subjects 2. Father and Son 3. Husband and Wife 4. Older brother and Younger brother 5. Friend and Friend A code of proper conduct regulated each of these relationships. Ex. Rules should practice kindness and virtuous living, in return, subject should be loyal and law-abiding.

Confucianism was never a religion, but it was an ethical system, a system based on accepted principles of right and wrong. It became the foundation for Chinese government and social order. In addition, the ideas of Confucius spread beyond China and influenced civilizations throughout East Asia.

Mongol Religion & Gov’t. Buddhism and Daoism-world not real=illusion. From India to China in 1st Century Imperial court gets upset b/c of land and serfs-Tang Dynasty destroys temples and makes monks/nuns “get back to work” –non religious work. Confucianism  Neo-Confucianism Response to Buddhism's and Daoism influence on people. Teaches that the world is real not an illusion and that fulfillment comes from participation in material world

Buddhism in India Two schools of Buddhism decline in India Theravada vs. Mahayana Theravada: followers of Buddha’s teachings, saw Buddhism as a way of life and attaining nirvana Mahayana: less strict, viewed Buddhism as a religion and Buddha as a devine figure Devotion to Buddha = salvation after death Hinduism and Islam become increasingly popular around 600 AD Over 80% of modern India follows Hinduism

Islam in South Asia Buddhism travels to East and SE Asia Where it remains active today Later 10th Century Islam expands into India Fall of Gupta Empire Islamic armies moved into India to take new lands Islamic stated, called Ghazna, arose in NW India Mahmud of Ghanza (a leader) seizes land in Indus River valley

Muslim Tensions Muslim rulers and Hindu subjects Tolerate each other’s differences Most ppl were peasant farmers Paid share of harvest to city-dwelling rulers Trade continued despite warfare and cultural strife Architecture of temples flourished w/ conflict Literature Prose fiction pops up, The adventures of the Ten Princes by Dandin