1. Ancient Civilizations Review Part 2
What Characteristics were shared by Ancient Empires?
India, China, Europe, Middle East, Greece, Rome, Civilizations of the Americas and the significance of the Rise of Christianity.

2. Key Terms Polis Acropolis Monarchy Aristocracy Oligarchy Democracy
Hinduism
Buddhism
Reincarnation
Nirvana
Confucius
Filial piety
Legalism
Daoism
Minoans
Mycenaean’s
Polis
Acropolis
Monarchy
Aristocracy
Oligarchy
Democracy
Direct democracy
Republic
Patricians
Plebeians
Messiah
Sect
Olmec
Aztec
Maya
Inca
Zapotec
Tribute

3. Empires Some of the largest Empires emerged in India, China, Europe, and later in the Americas.
Empires had much larger political structures and many things in common such as:
Most Empires were built by military conquest and were usually ruled by hereditary emperors.
Empires developed centralized bureaucracies and sponsored the spread of major religions.

4. The Empires of India and China Main Ideas
In ancient India, two major religions developed
Hinduism
Buddhism
Under the Maurya and Gupta empires India grew into a center for trade.
Shi Huangdi united all of China. Under Han rulers who followed Shi Huangdi, Chinese civilization made huge advances.

5. Two major religions of India
Hinduism – believed that everything is part of the unchanging , all powerful spiritual force called barman.
The most important God are Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
The gods were able to take many forms
The ultimate goal of life was to achieve union with brahman.

6. Two major religions of India
Buddhism: Shares many characteristics with Hinduism.
However urges enlightenment through meditation.
Believes that desire causes suffering and that to overcome desire one should follow the eight fold path.
RIGHT views, aspirations, speech, conduct, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and contemplation.

7. India and China
India
Pillars of Indian life: order was maintained by the village and the family.
Caste system despite its inequality provided a stable social order.
China
Confucius philosophy was concerned with social order and good government.

8. India and China
China
Confucius taught the harmony was achieved when people accepted their place in society.
Legalism – strict laws and harsh punishment was the only way to maintain order.
Daoism – Daoist's sought to live in harmony with nature, rather than to bring order to human affairs. They viewed government as the problem.

9. China – What came to be over time?
China’s golden age
The Great Wall
The Han dynasty had major advances in:
Trade
Government
Technology
The Arts
The Silk Road (4,000 miles long)

10. Greece, Rome, and the Rise of Christianity
The beginnings of Europe as we know it:
The Minoans were the earliest civilization in the regions. (sea traders)
Mycenaean's a civilization of sea traders (Geek and Crete)
Egypt and Mesopotamian were absorbed by both civilizations.
They are most famously known for the Trojan War, and the epic poems the Iliad and the Odyssey.

11. Greece, Rome, and the Rise of Christianity
The Rise of Greek City-States
The Greeks had a unique type of City-State called a Polis.
Greeks built their cities on two levels; on the hilltop stood the acropolis or high city dedicated to the gods and goddesses, the main city was located on the lower ground.
Governing
Went from a monarchy to an aristocracy, and then to an oligarchy.
The city state of Athens eventually became a democracy and after the Persian wars further evolved into a direct democracy.

12. Greece, Rome, and the Rise of Christianity
The Roman World
Began as a small city-state in Italy.
Romans overthrew the Etruscan king (monarchy) and established a republic. At first the patricians were the most powerful people in government but eventually plebeians would gain the right to be elected.
Republic to Empire – after a series of civil wars a powerful Roman general restored order. (Octavian / Augusts the Emperor)

13. Greece, Rome, and the Rise of Christianity
The Rise of Christianity- Early during the time of the Pax Romana or time period know as “Roman Peace” rose Christianity out of Roman held lands in the middle east.
Leading figure was Jesus born in Bethlehem in 4 b.c.
Some believed him to be the messiah or savior sent by God to deliver the Jewish people to freedom.
His teaching were deeply rooted in the Jewish religion.

14. Greece, Rome, and the Rise of Christianity
Jesus believed in one God and the Ten Commandments.
His new beliefs included salvation and eternal life to all that believed in him.
He extended Jewish ideas of mercy & sympathy for the poor and helpless; including his enemies.
To Roman authorities Jesus was seen as a danger and was eventually executed.
Jesus’ followers believed that he rose from the dead.
Over time some Jewish people began to believe he was the messiah and they became the first Christians.

15. Greece, Rome, and the Rise of Christianity
The Decline of Rome
began with the death of Marcus Aurelius and was followed by turmoil that led to the splitting of the empire into 2 parts (East and West).
The Western Empire would eventually fall to invaders.
The Eastern Empire would continue to thrive under rulers such as Constantine and would come to be known as the Byzantine Empire. (lasting 1,000 yrs)