Period 2: Organization and Reorganization of Human Societies, 600BCE to 600CE Key Concept 2.1: The Development and Codification of Religious and Cultural Traditions Key Concept 2.2: The Development of States and Empires Key Concept 2.3: Emergence of Transregional Networks of Communication and Exchange
Codification of Religion States and empires increased in size, religion was transformed Belief systems provided a bond among people and ethical codes to live by Reinforced political, economic, and social hierarchies (caste system) Religious and political authority merged Belief systems generated conflict Judaism and Hebrew Code Vedic Religions
Codification of Religion Hinduism Buddhism-reaction to the Vedic beliefs of South Asia-desire, suffering, enlightenment all apply to both Buddhism spread and changed Confucianism Daoism-influence on Chinese culture Christianity Greco-Roman philosophy Ancestor veneration, Shamanism, Animism (Africa, East Asia, Mediterranean, Andes)
Literature and Drama Greek plays Indian Epics Distinctive Architecture Greece Rome Mesoamerica
Development of States and Empires Empires grew in population and size, lites to manage affairs Currencies, internal improvements Cities Competed for resources and land causes conflict Powerful militaries Administrative institutions-centralized governments, diplomacy, infrastructure Ethnically and culturally diverse populations By expanding, created unmanageable political, cultural, and administrative difficulties Social and economic problems Environmental challenges External problems (borders)
Important Classical Age States SW Asia: Persian Empires (remember there are three: Achaemenid, 550-330 B.C.E., Parthian, 247 B.C. E.-228 C.E., Sassanid, 224-651C.E.) E Asia: Qin and Han S Asia: Maurya and Gupta Mediterranean: Phoenicia, Greece, Hellenistic, Rome Mesoamerica: Teotihuacan, Maya Andes: Moche
Networks of Exchange Long distance trade increased Demand for luxury goods and raw materials Land and water routes linked many regions Exchange of people, technologies, religions, cultural beliefs, food crops, domesticated animals, disease pathogens America and Oceania had localized networks
Networks of Exchange Eurasian Silk Roads Tran-Saharan Caravan Indian Ocean Sea Lanes Mediterranean Sea Lanes
New Transportation Technologies Yokes Saddles Stirrups Horses Oxen Llamas Camels Improved maritime technologies (E. Asia to E. Africa) Dhow
Impacts of Trade New farming and irrigation techniques- Qanat Disease-Rome and China Religions were reformed Christianity Hinduism Buddhism
Persepolis: Persia
Carthage: Phoenician
Athens: Greece
Pataliputra: Mauryan
Chang’an (present day Xi’an)
Rome
Constantinople
Alexandria
Teotihuacan