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: Limited fertile land; Divided Greeks  City- States
-Athens: Education, art
-Sparta: Militarism
Sea: Dependent on Mediterranean Sea for food and resources; skilled sea traders
Direct DEMOCRACY!
-Philosophy- human reason (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle)
-Pillars, human form
-Traded with Phoenicians (alphabet), Persians and other Mediterranean sea traders
Alexander the Great: Spread Hellenistic culture (Greek blended w/ Persian)

4. Rome Geography Accomplishments
Lasts for almost 1,000 years
Geography
Accomplishments
Mediterranean Sea: location at center = control
of Med. Sea trade
An empire: controls many diverse peoples, from one capital or a centralized gov’t
Julius Caesar – 1st dictator Augustus Caesar - 1st Emperor
LAW! The Twelve Tables
-Republic: Indirect democracy
-Advances in Engineering
aqueducts, ROADS
Architecture: arch & dome
-Greco-Roman Culture
-Split in half—Western Rome (Middle Ages) and Byzantine Empire

5. Gupta Geography Accomplishments Subcontinent of India
Himalayas in North: isolate and protect India; passage through Hindu Kush
Monsoons - seasonal winds that bring rain & fertile soil
Arabic numerals! Concept of zero & 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)
Huang He/Yellow River Valleys
Influenced Korea & Japan
Civil Service exams based on Confucianism (rule by example)
Trade on Silk Road
Dynastic Cycle- rise & fall of dynasties (ruling families)
Mandate of Heaven- divine approval to rule

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