Classical Conclusions : Comparisons, Declines, & New Directions Chapter 5 Pg
Expansion & Integration Political, territorial, & social integration –China: centralization, common language –India: Hinduism –Mediterranean: weaker integration = more complete fall?
Decline in China Characteristics of decline: –Nomadic invasions –Reduced intellectual creativity –Reduced government control –Overburdened peasants –Epidemics Postclassical preview: –Buddhism spreads, Daoism popularized –Sui & Tang dynasties revive civilization
Decline in India Characteristics of decline: Least drastic due to vigor of trade & Hinduism –Loss of central control –Nomadic invasions Postclassical preview: –Arab armies in NW India –Hinduism popularized –Scientific & economic vigor decline
Decline in Rome Characteristics of decline: Most drastic due to lack of commonalities –Weak emperors –Epidemics –Cultural decay –Nomadic invasion –Exceptions: Diocletian Constantine 1 of 2
Decline in Rome Postclassical preview: –East= continues as Byzantium, culturally strong –N. Af= power vacuum –West= chaos, farmers offer land & labor to landlords for protection 2 of 2
New Religious Map End of classical period: rise & spread of many major religions –Invasions –Epidemics –Trade World religions begin displacing polytheistic & animistic faiths
Hinduism, Buddhism, Daoism Buddhism spread to East & SE Asia while becoming increasingly: –Led by monks –Emotionally spiritual –Artistic –Organized –Based on prayer & ritual Hinduism & Daoism gained popularity
Spread of Buddhism Spread of Christianity By 325 CE By 600 CE
Christianity, Islam Christianity= beliefs & worship of Jesus –1 supreme God: trinity –Spiritual dedication over worldly concerns –Afterlife through belief, good deeds, rituals –Equality of all believers –Intolerance of other beliefs 1 of 2
Christianity, Islam Spread due to disciples, organization, & historical context –Modeled Rome’s imperial government –Organized Bible & missionaries –Infrastructure made travel easy Significantly altered European culture Islam rises soon in postclassical era 2 of 2
Global Connections Civ’s must face reviving institutions Societies must react to new religions Civilization continued to spread to new societies International contacts accelerated in the wake of classical decline