Civilization moves to the West... Greek City States, The Roman Empire, the Rise of Christianity, and the Challenge of the Barbarians, 700 BCE – 500 CE
Timeline Ancient Civilization
Europe and the Mediterranean Today
Europe and the Mediterranean
Civilization Moves West to Europe and the Mediterranean Middle East
Europe and the Mediterranean Today
Timeline 8 th century - 4 th century BCE (700s-300s): Hellenic Era of Greek Civilization (rise of the Greek city states, e.g., Athens, Sparta) 4 th Century - 30 BCE: Hellenistic Era of Greek Civilization: Alexander’s reign 6th Century BCE - 31BCE: Era of the Roman Republic
Ancient Greece
Ancient Rome, 218 BCE
Expansion of Rome
Timeline, cont. 31 BCE to about 476 CE: Era of the Roman Empire: Octavian became Augustus Caesar and initiated the Pax Romana, or Roman Peace. Palestine or Ancient Israel had lost its political independence around 586 BCE. Palestine and the Jews came under control of the Romans at the time of the birth of Christ (CE 4). and uro/roman.html for maps. uro/roman.html
Significance for our purposes... The ‘center’ of civilization shifted to Rome and the Mediterranean and social practices, economic activity, knowledge were drawn into Rome and ‘radiated’ from Rome to provinces and frontiers. Roman world was pagan, i.e., polytheistic, and embodied a variety of religions among the many peoples it ruled.
Types of Households in Rome Population of Roman Empire at peak: –Total: million people –City of Rome: ,000 –Provinces: 75% of Total Latifundia: large scale plantations farmed by gang slave labor Freehold farms: farmed by retired legionnaires, or freemen.
Significance…. Society continued to be organized into nobility (in Rome: patricians), freemen of lesser wealth (plebeians), and slaves (captured in warfare).
Types of Households... Rome settled colonies at its frontiers, and thus incorporated “foreigners” into the state. The “paterfamilias” “owned” his wife, children, slaves and could dispose of them at will.
The Challenge of Christianity Christianity, –a monotheistic and –missionary religion, –articulated a new and different moral and spiritual vision: including ideals of humility, charity, ecumenicism and brotherly love: “do unto others as you would have others do unto you…” and the hope of a “Second Coming.”
Jewish Diaspora
The Spread of Christianity
Timeline, cont The Christian religion spread within the Roman Empire, faced persecution from time to time from the first to the 4 th centuries of the Common Era (CE). Meanwhile, managing the expanding Empire was administratively difficult: Diocletian split the empire in the late 3 rd century to try to develop efficiency.
Roman Empire, 2d Century, CE
Timeline, cont. Emperor Constantine recognized Christianity (313 AD), and the Christian church modeled itself on the organizational structure of the empire. Fifth Century (400s): Empire was attacked by barbarians and Rome collapsed in 476.
Rome Divided
Germanic Invasions
Significance for our purposes... The ‘center’ of civilization shifted to Rome and the Mediterranean and social practices, economic activity, knowledge were drawn into Rome and ‘radiated’ from Rome to provinces and frontiers. Roman world before Constantine (4 th century) was pagan, i.e., polytheistic, and embodied a variety of religions among the many peoples it ruled.
The Challenge of Christianity and the Barbarians… Christianity, a monotheistic and missionary religion, articulated a different moral and spiritual vision: including ideals of humility, charity, ecumenicism and brotherly love: “do unto others as you would have others do unto you…” and the hope of a “Second Coming.” The barbarian tribes of Europe and Asia presented military threats to the “Holy Roman Empire.”