The Classical Period 1000BC-500 AD

When we last left off… Many people continued to be hunters and gatherers Some people became pastoralists Civilizations developed in the river valleys of Asia and Africa

Key trends of the Classical Period Development of iron metallurgy Empires become a key political unit Trade networks grow to connect classical empires Expansion of civilization to the Mediterranean World The Axial Age of Religion—500 BC –Origin and/or development of major religions and belief systems

Classical China Chaos causes development of new belief systems –Daoism The way, yielding harmony with nature –Legalism Strict law and harsh punishment necessary for order –Confucianism 5 defined relationships Filial piety Superiors and inferiors understand their position Merchants on lowest social rung Women must be subordinate to men

First Empire in China Qin Shi Huangdi –Legalist Crackdown on dissenters –Built Great Wall –Standardized weights, measures, coins –36 military districts –Nobility must live in Xianyang

Golden Age of Classical China Han –Emperor Wudi –Confucianism Civil Service Exams –Revenue from government monopoly on salt, liquor, and iron –Opened up Silk Road in Central Asia –Golden Age Technology Medicine The arts

First Empire in India Maurya –Chandragupta Maurya –Prosperous capital at Pataliputra –Well-organized bureaucracy –Effective but harsh rule

Most Famous Classical Emperor Asoka –Buddhist Goal of nirvana Reject caste and priestly power Meditative, reflective 4 Noble Truths 8 Fold Path Tripitaka Later splits from Orthodox Theravada form to Mahayana Buddhism –Asoka’s Pillars to promote Buddhist ideals –Send missionaries to SE Asia –Father figure

Golden Age of Classical India Gupta –Decentralized rule –Key units are village –Hindu priests are influential Goal of moksha Karma, dharma Supports caste by hope of reincarnation Vedas, Upanishads –Golden Age Learning Architecture

Classical Greece Separate city-states due to geography Evolution of Polis Athens –Limited democracy –Male dominance –Cultural center of Greece –Importance of trade

Sparta –Militaristic tradition –Reliance on helots Shared cultural traditions –Language –Religion –festivals

Conflict in the Mediterranean World Persian Wars –Persia was large Classical Empire –Known for excellence of administration –Zoroastrianism; but religious tolerance –Darius most famous ruler Conflict with Greek colonies –Greek city-states unite to defeat common enemy

Golden Age of Athens Post-Persian War –Delian League funds used to rebuild Athens –Pericles promotes greatness of Athens –Philosophy –Architecture –Sculpture –Painting –Poetry and drama

Greek Against Greek Sparta and their allies resent Athens –Peloponnesian War –Sparta sides with old enemy Persia –Athens defeated –All Greeks were losers… Alexander the Great –Hellenistic Culture

Classical Rome Republic –Not democratic –Senate represents patrician class –Reforms to plebeians –Laws of the 12 Tables –Tribunes-veto power

Punic Wars Conflict with trade rival Carthage –Three wars –Great Carthaginian general Hannibal –Rome dominates Mediterranean –Wealth destroys old republic –Rise of dictators Julius Caesar Social reforms Assassinated for defying republican tradition

Golden Age of Rome Rivalry post Caesar Octavian declares himself Caesar August 200 Years of Pax Romana Silk Road Greece conquerors her rude conqueror

Christianity Early Christians persecuted Builds on Judaic heritage Monotheistic Jesus as messiah The Bible Conversion of Constantine

Crisis of Late Antiquity 200 AD Classical Empires fall apart Domestic Problems –Reliance on slave labor, mercenaries, high taxes, poor leadership, sinking middle class, land distribution problems Foreign Invaders –Huns –Germanic Invaders in the East

Belief Systems Spread in face of chaos –Buddhism to China –Christianity throughout the Roman Empire