1. Decline of the Classical Civilizations
Chapter 5

2. Between 200 and 600 CE all three classical civilizations collapsed
Germanic invaders disrupt the Roman Empire
The Huns invaded Rome
Another Hun Group disrupted the Gupta Empire in India
Fall of Classical Civs

3. Han China/Roman Empire suffered from severe internal weaknesses well before the invasions
By 100 CE Han China is in serious decline
Han and Roman share many characteristics of decline

4. Political ineffectiveness Inability to push back invaders
Revolution/Civil War
Daoists: Yellow Turbans
Peasant unrest
Epidemics

5. China does revive itself towards the end of the 6th century
Sui Dynasty
Tang Dynasty (618 CE)
China, post-classical

6. India was always a REGIONAL kingdom, whereas the Emperor shared power with local princes
This control was declining by the mid-5th century
Invasions
Regional Princes, the Rajput, controlled the small states of India
Indian Culture continues to evolve
Affected by Muslim armies after 600 CE
India

7. Roman Decline After 180 CE, Roman Empire fell into disrepair
Corruption
Declining population
Declining tax revenue
Disputes over succession to the throne
Intervention of the army
Plagues
International trade…
Economic Decline
Roman Decline

8. Roman Collapse DECLINE OF THE UPPER CLASS Influence Creativity
Deadening effect of authoritarian rule
Sole interest in luxury
Roman Collapse

9. As conditions worsened, as economic life became more precarious
Farmers clustered under the protection of large landowners
Offer food, work, shelter, and SAFETY
Local Stability, but weakened the power of the Emperor
Cities SHRINK in size
In the West…

10. Diocletian (284-305 CE) tries to improve the Empire
Improve administration
Improve tax collection
Worship Emperor as a GOD
Persecute Christians

11. Constantine ( CE)
Set up second Capital City in the EAST to regulate that side of the Empire more effectively: Constantinople (the city of Byzantium)
Adopts Christianity to help unify the empire

12. The final Roman Emperor was displaced in 476 CE
Decline was exacerbated by the Germanic Invasions (which only totaled about 5% of the Population)
BUT…Rome was so weak…they were successful
The final Roman Emperor was displaced in 476 CE

13. Post-Classical Mediterranean
Eastern portion of Empire: Centered on Constantinople
BYZANTINE EMPIRE
Justinian ( CE) tries to recapture heritage of Rome
Justinians Code: Codified Law
Middle East: Parthian and Sassanid empires serve as a bridge between Mediterranean World and the East
Post-Classical Mediterranean

14. North Africa: Regional Kingdoms
Coptic Church: Egypt
North African Christianity
WESTERN EUROPE: Middle Ages
Feudalism
Regional Kingdoms