Classical Civilizations in the Mediterranean and Middle East 5 Classical Civilizations in the Mediterranean and Middle East

Chapter Overview The Persian Tradition Patterns of Greek History Patterns of Roman History Greek and Roman Political Institutions Religion and Culture Economy and Society in the Mediterranean Toward the Fall of Rome

FIGURE 5.1 This famous statue depicts Pheidippides, the Athenian soldier who, according to legend, ran 26 miles to bring his fellow citizens news of victory at the Battle of Marathon and died as he made the announcement. The 26-mile endurance run was named the "marathon" to commemorate Pheidippides's heroic feat. FIGURE 5.1 This famous statue depicts Pheidippides, the Athenian soldier who, according to legend, ran 26 miles to bring his fellow citizens news of victory at the Battle of Marathon and died as he made the announcement. The 26-mile endurance run was named the "marathon" to commemorate Pheidippides's heroic feat.

TIMELINE 2000 B.C.E.–250 C.E. TIMELINE 2000 B.C.E.–250 C.E.

The Persian Tradition Cyrus the Great, 550 B.C.E. Persian Empire Political Styles Tolerance for other cultures Authoritarianism Infrastructure, especially roads Bureaucracy

Map 5.1 The Persian Empire in Its Main Stages At its height the Persian empire stretched through much of the Middle East to the shores of the Mediterranean, into Egypt, and into the northeast part of the Indian subcontinent. Map 5.1 The Persian Empire in Its Main Stages At its height the Persian empire stretched through much of the Middle East to the shores of the Mediterranean, into Egypt, and into the northeast part of the Indian subcontinent.

The Persian Tradition Zoroastrianism Zoroaster (c. 630–550 B.C.E.) Individual salvation Monotheism Magi, priests Great influence

The Persian Tradition Later Persian Empire Dominated Middle East Conquests into Africa and Indian subcontinent Conquered by Alexander the Great

FIGURE 5.2 Using ceremonial styles similar to those of earlier Mesopotamia, the Persian empire celebrated its powerful kings. This wall relief is on the great ceremonial stairway leading to the royal audience hall of Darius and Xerxes. FIGURE 5.2 Using ceremonial styles similar to those of earlier Mesopotamia, the Persian empire celebrated its powerful kings. This wall relief is on the great ceremonial stairway leading to the royal audience hall of Darius and Xerxes.

FIGURE 5.3 Persians established a distinct artistic tradition including fine craftwork, as shown in this chariot. FIGURE 5.3 Persians established a distinct artistic tradition including fine craftwork, as shown in this chariot.

Patterns of Greek History City-States, 800–600 B.C.E. Common culture Some periods of unity, cooperation Domination of Sparta and Athens, 500–449 B.C.E. High point of Greek culture Fifth Century B.C.E. Pericles dominates Athenian politics Peloponnesian Wars (431–404 B.C.E.)

Map 5. 2 Greece and Greek Colonies of the World, c. 431 B. C. E Map 5.2 Greece and Greek Colonies of the World, c. 431 B.C.E. On the eve of the Peloponnesian War, Greek civilization had spread throughout the eastern Mediterranean. Map 5.2 Greece and Greek Colonies of the World, c. 431 B.C.E. On the eve of the Peloponnesian War, Greek civilization had spread throughout the eastern Mediterranean.

Patterns of Greek History The Hellenistic Period Philip II of Macedonia Defeats Greeks, 338 B.C.E Alexander the Great Extends empire Period of merging of cultures

Map 5. 3 Alexander’s Empire and the Hellenistic World, c. 323 B. C. E Map 5.3 Alexander’s Empire and the Hellenistic World, c. 323 B.C.E. Note the movement through Persia and other parts of the northern Middle East, and into the Indian subcontinent and North Africa. Map 5.3 Alexander’s Empire and the Hellenistic World, c. 323 B.C.E. Note the movement through Persia and other parts of the northern Middle East, and into the Indian subcontinent and North Africa.

Patterns of Roman History Roman republic from 509 B.C.E. Military emphasis Punic Wars, against Carthage (264–146 B.C.E.) Hannibal

Map 5. 4 The Expansion of the Roman Republic, 133 B. C. E Map 5.4 The Expansion of the Roman Republic, 133 B.C.E. By the end of the Punic Wars, Rome dominated much of the Mediterranean world. Map 5.4 The Expansion of the Roman Republic, 133 B.C.E. By the end of the Punic Wars, Rome dominated much of the Mediterranean world.

Patterns of Roman History Empire Julius Caesar victory over rivals, 45 B.C.E. Augustus Caesar, rules from 27 B.C.E. Empire strong until about 180 C.E. Renewed vigor under Diocletian, Constantine Constantine's conversion to Christianity

The Classical Civilizations in Comparative Perspective Each classical civilization distinctively defined the position of the lowest orders. Different elite values India: priests; little mobility unless wealthy China: bureaucrats; education Mediterranean: aristocrats; money Differing community bonds for a sense of common purpose

Greek and Roman Political Institutions Greece The Polis Athens Direct democracy The assembly Lottery for positions Citizen body a minority of the population Most city states were oligarchies Aristocratic assemblies Sparta

Greek and Roman Political Institutions Rome Balance Senate Dominated by aristocrats Consuls Dictator

Greek and Roman Political Institutions Political Theory in Ancient Greece and Rome Duties of citizens, political ethics, oratory Participation stressed Comparison of the merits of different forms Romans developed law code Twelve Tables, by 450 B.C.E. Law comes to take the place of fathers Spread of code to empire, and citizenship

Greek and Roman Political Institutions Roles of Government Public works Help to unite empire Maintaining law courts, police power Official religion

Religion and Culture Religious Values Religion largely concerned with the here and now Mystery religions offered a more spiritual approach Division between elite and popular belief

FIGURE 5.4 After murdering his wife and children, Hercules, who became the Greeks’ greatest mythical hero, was sentenced to perform 12 tasks that would have been impossible for most mortals. This vase depicts the fourth labor of Hercules, in which he was ordered to capture the Erymanthian boar and bring it to his master, Eurystheus. The frightened Eurystheus has hidden in a wine jar. (Copyright The British Museum.) FIGURE 5.4 After murdering his wife and children, Hercules, who became the Greeks’ greatest mythical hero, was sentenced to perform 12 tasks that would have been impossible for most mortals. This vase depicts the fourth labor of Hercules, in which he was ordered to capture the Erymanthian boar and bring it to his master, Eurystheus. The frightened Eurystheus has hidden in a wine jar. (Copyright The British Museum.)

Religion and Culture Philosophy Provided a system of ethical behavior Aristotle, Cicero Stressed balance Stoics stress inner life

Religion and Culture Science and Philosophy Socrates Encouraged questioning Speculation on the physical world Theories about the universe, the nature of matter Mathematics, especially geometry Hellenistic period More empirical work in physics Euclid, Galen

Religion and Culture The Arts Drama: comedy and tragedy Balance between virtue and emotions Sophocles, Oedipus Rex Epics, the Iliad, Odyssey Architecture Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian styles Roman engineering, athleticism

FIGURE 5.5 This is an artist’s recreation of the Forum in imperial times. The use of decorative styles that originated in classical Greece was a central feature of Roman architecture, but as the empire grew, buildings became steadily more massive. Larger columns and greater heights reflected the Roman taste for the monumental. Ultimately, Roman architects also developed the capacity to build domed structures—a feat of engineering. (Hypothetical reconstruction of the Roman Forum in Imperial Times. Southern part. Watercolor. Soprintendenza alle Antichita, Rome, Italy/Scala/Art Resource, NY.) FIGURE 5.5 This is an artist’s recreation of the Forum in imperial times. The use of decorative styles that originated in classical Greece was a central feature of Roman architecture, but as the empire grew, buildings became steadily more massive. Larger columns and greater heights reflected the Roman taste for the monumental. Ultimately, Roman architects also developed the capacity to build domed structures—a feat of engineering. (Hypothetical reconstruction of the Roman Forum in Imperial Times. Southern part. Watercolor. Soprintendenza alle Antichita, Rome, Italy/Scala/Art Resource, NY.)

FIGURE 5.6 This mosaic from the city of Ravenna depicts the Last Supper, which took place on the night before Jesus was crucified. According to Christian belief, at this supper Jesus broke bread and drank wine with his disciples, teaching them the ritual of the Eucharist. Mosaic designs like this one were common in Roman buildings, often inlaid into floors and depicting both secular and religious scenes. The mosaic tradition continued in the Eastern empire, mainly used there to depict Christian figures, becoming ever more elegant and richly detailed. FIGURE 5.6 This mosaic from the city of Ravenna depicts the Last Supper, which took place on the night before Jesus was crucified. According to Christian belief, at this supper Jesus broke bread and drank wine with his disciples, teaching them the ritual of the Eucharist. Mosaic designs like this one were common in Roman buildings, often inlaid into floors and depicting both secular and religious scenes. The mosaic tradition continued in the Eastern empire, mainly used there to depict Christian figures, becoming ever more elegant and richly detailed.

VISUALIZING THE PAST Political Rituals in Persia

Economy and Society in the Mediterranean Agriculture and Trade Constant trend to market farming Grapes, olives Led to trade Grain from Egypt Merchants Legally respected Not socially esteemed

Economy and Society in the Mediterranean Slavery From conquest Becomes a motive for expansion Technological innovation in farming lacking Unfavorable trade balance with eastern Asia

Economy and Society in the Mediterranean Family Patriarchal Women have economic role Some women active in commerce Women could own property Pressing the Environment Deforestation Air pollution Garbage

Toward the Fall of Rome A Complex Legacy Enduring ideas No polities Comparison to contemporary North America Direct and indirect Consciously imitated, revived Mingled with Middle Eastern legacy Persia's separate identity