1. Classical Civilizations
Global Review #2

2. Classical Civilizations
What are the three characteristics of Classical Civilizations?
All Classical Civilization have a GOLDEN AGE!!!! P
Strong, Centralized Government
eace
Strong trade networks
and strong economy
rosperity
Contributions/ ideas
lasting until today
rogress

3. Greece Geography Accomplishments
Mountains: Lack of fertile land; Divided Greeks  City- States
-Athens: Education, art
-Sparta: Militarism
Sea: Dependent on Mediterranean Sea for food and resources; skilled sea traders
DEMOCRACY!
-Philosophy- human reason (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle)
Traded with Phoenicians (alphabet), Persians and other Mediterranean seatraders

4. Rome Geography Accomplishments
Mediterranean Sea: location at center = control of Med. Sea trade
Large Empire controlled many diverse peoples
LAW! The Twelve Tables
Advances in Engineering
aqueducts, ROADS
-Greco-Roman Culture
-Split in half—Western Rome (Middle Ages) and Byzantine Empire

5. Gupta Geography Accomplishments Subcontinent
Himalayas in North: isolate and protect India; passage through Hindu Kush
Monsoons- seasonal winds that bring rain and fertile soil
MATH! Concept of zero and decimals
Influenced by Hinduism
Sanskrit record keeping

6. Han Geography Accomplishments
Chinese Government?
Mountain, plateaus and deserts in Western China isolation  ethnocentrism
Population in East (arable land, river valleys)
Influenced Korea and Japan
Civil Service exams based on Confucianism (rule by example)
Trade on Silk Road
Dynastic Cycle- rise and fall of dynasties (ruling families)
Mandate of Heaven- divine approval to rule

7. All Empire Fall for the same reasons: What are they?
Internal
External
Outside invaders!
Attacks!
Weak Borders
Corrupt Government
High Taxes
Weak Military
Declining infrastructure (bad roads= lack of trade)