The Classical Period Objective; understand the directions, diversities, and declines of the classical period by 500CE

Expansion & Integration Common themes for the classical civilization involve territorial expansion and related efforts to intergrade the new territories China united through centralization, India through religious values and the Mediterranean through cultural achievements Integration required territorial & social cohesion Each civilization valued social distinctions

Beyond the Classical Civilizations Outside the centers of civilization important developments occurred Significant civilization operated in the Americas – The Olmec, Maya, and Incas In Africa – the Kush, Axum and Ethiopia Agriculture and other advancements spread across Europe and Northern Asia where semi- civilized developed and contact with older civilization

Nomadic Societies They will play a vital role, particularly in central Asia They will link and occasionally disrupt classical civilization Most important popular migrations across Eurasia led to the rise of new cultures

Decline of China & India Internal weakness and nomadic invasions led to important changes in China & India The Huns will attack all three classical civilizations Around 100CE the Han dynasty began a serious decline – Weak central government, social unrest led by over tax peasants, and epidemics combined with the government unable to stop invading nomads led to the fall of the Han By 600 China revived 1 st with the short Sui dynasty then the glorious Tang dynasty

Decline of China & India The decline in India was not as drastic The Huns destroyed the Gupta empire and for several centuries no native led a large state Hinduism gained ground as Buddhism, unappealing to the warrior caste decline After 600 Islam entered India and Arab traders took control of Indian ocean trade routes But Hinduism survived and Islam never gain a strong following

Fall of Rome The Decline of Rome is complex and is still debated but something that everyone agrees on are; population decline, failed leadership, economy faltered, tax collection become difficult, plagues, a sense of hopelessness. When Germanic tribes invaded in 400’s there was little power or will to resist The roman empire will divide and the eastern part will be known as the Byzantine Empire will continue for another 1000 years.

New Religions The classical decline saw the rapid expansion of Buddhism and Christianity These religions will have a wider cultural, social and political implications Later Islam will spread quickly across the south and into southeast Asia

500CE Three Major Themes Collapse of classical civilizations. Societies across Eurasia will have to revive or rework their key institutions and values after the invasions New religions arose and older ones spread. These would form the basis of future civilizations Developments around the world spread and will lead to the rise of new civilizations