1. Key Concept 2.1: The Development and Codification of Religious and Cultural Traditions
Period 2: 600 BCE-600 CE
Spread of Religion

2. Why now?
States and empires increase in size and contacts between regions multiplied… religious and cultural systems were transformed

3. Religion and Belief Systems
Provided a bond among the people and an ethical code to live by
Influence and reinforce political, economic, and occupational stratification
Religious and political authority merged- rulers used religion, along with military and legal structures, to justify and ensure its continuation
Generate conflict- partly because beliefs and practices varied greatly within and among societies

4. Existing Religious Traditions
Codifications and further developments of existing religious traditions provided a bond among the people and an ethical code to live by
Judaism
Hinduism

5. Judaism First MONOTHEISTIC religion
Torah (Holy Book)- codified around 500 BCE
Reflected Mesopotamian culture and values
Hebrew communities conquered leading to the DIASPORA

6. Hinduism Vedic Religion codified in Sanskrit by 500 BCE
Basis for the CASTE SYSTEM and REINCARNATION
NOT polytheistic
Many manifestations of the ONE Brahma

7. New Belief Systems
New belief systems and cultural traditions emerged and spread, often asserting universal truths
Buddhism
Confucianism
Daoism
Christianity
Philosophy

8. Buddhism Founded by SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA around 500 BCE
Taught that desire led to suffering
End suffering by ending desires
Spread through the work of MAURYAN EMPEROR ASOKA

9. Confucianism Founded by Kong Qiu (Confucius)
Spread by key disciples (Ex: Mencius)
Taught proper relationships from Emperor to local villages
Stressed PATRIARCHY and FILIAL PIETY

10. Daoism Dao = The Way (Path) Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu
Balance between humans and nature
HUGE role in Chinese history:
Political system
Medical theories/practice
Poetry
Metallurgy
Architecture

11. Christianity Founded by Jesus of Nazareth around 30 CE
Believe that Jesus was the son of God
Spread despite ROMAN persecution
Eventually gained Roman Imperial support (Constantine)

12. Greco-Roman Philosophy and Science
Also solidified/codified around 500 BCE
Questioned a diverse range of topics and ideals
Science, mathematics, elements, gods, the universe, reasoning, logic, Socratic Method, Scientific Method, etc.
Key Thinkers:
Socrates
Plato (founder of WESTERN PHILOSOPHY)
Aristotle

13. Gender Roles Monasticism- encouraged by both Buddhism and Christianity
Filial Piety- Basis of Confucianism

14. Other Traditions Continue
Shamanism and Animism
Mainly used outside the CORE civilizations
Stressed daily reliance on natural world

15. Ancestor Veneration Worship of your ancestors Africa East Asia Andean
Mediterranean

16. Artistic Expression Literature and Drama
Took on distinctive styles that had repercussions into later eras

17. Artistic Expression Distinct Architectural Styles
What you stereotypically think of buildings in different areas took root in this era
Indian Temples, American Pyramids, Greek Temples

18. Artistic Expression
Greco-Buddhism- blending of two cultures (syncretism)
Between Alexander and Islam