1. The Classical Period 1000BC-500 AD

2. When we last left off… Many people continued to be hunters and gatherers Some people became pastoralists Civilizations developed in the river valleys of Asia and Africa

3. Key trends of the Classical Period Development of iron metallurgy Empires become a key political unit Trade networks grow to connect classical empires Expansion of civilization to the Mediterranean World The Axial Age of Religion—500 BC –Origin and/or development of major religions and belief systems

4. Classical China Chaos causes development of new belief systems –Daoism The way, yielding harmony with nature –Legalism Strict law and harsh punishment necessary for order –Confucianism 5 defined relationships Filial piety Superiors and inferiors understand their position Merchants on lowest social rung Women must be subordinate to men

5. First Empire in China Qin Shi Huangdi –Legalist Crackdown on dissenters –Built Great Wall –Standardized weights, measures, coins –36 military districts –Nobility must live in Xianyang

6. Golden Age of Classical China Han –Emperor Wudi –Confucianism Civil Service Exams –Revenue from government monopoly on salt, liquor, and iron –Opened up Silk Road in Central Asia –Golden Age Technology Medicine The arts

7. First Empire in India Maurya –Chandragupta Maurya –Prosperous capital at Pataliputra –Well-organized bureaucracy –Effective but harsh rule

8. Most Famous Classical Emperor Asoka –Buddhist Goal of nirvana Reject caste and priestly power Meditative, reflective 4 Noble Truths 8 Fold Path Tripitaka Later splits from Orthodox Theravada form to Mahayana Buddhism –Asoka’s Pillars to promote Buddhist ideals –Send missionaries to SE Asia –Father figure

9. Golden Age of Classical India Gupta –Decentralized rule –Key units are village –Hindu priests are influential Goal of moksha Karma, dharma Supports caste by hope of reincarnation Vedas, Upanishads –Golden Age Learning Architecture

10. Classical Greece Separate city-states due to geography Evolution of Polis Athens –Limited democracy –Male dominance –Cultural center of Greece –Importance of trade

11. Sparta –Militaristic tradition –Reliance on helots Shared cultural traditions –Language –Religion –festivals

12. Conflict in the Mediterranean World Persian Wars –Persia was large Classical Empire –Known for excellence of administration –Zoroastrianism; but religious tolerance –Darius most famous ruler Conflict with Greek colonies –Greek city-states unite to defeat common enemy

13. Golden Age of Athens Post-Persian War –Delian League funds used to rebuild Athens –Pericles promotes greatness of Athens –Philosophy –Architecture –Sculpture –Painting –Poetry and drama

14. Greek Against Greek Sparta and their allies resent Athens –Peloponnesian War –Sparta sides with old enemy Persia –Athens defeated –All Greeks were losers… Alexander the Great –Hellenistic Culture

15. Classical Rome Republic –Not democratic –Senate represents patrician class –Reforms to plebeians –Laws of the 12 Tables –Tribunes-veto power

16. Punic Wars Conflict with trade rival Carthage –Three wars –Great Carthaginian general Hannibal –Rome dominates Mediterranean –Wealth destroys old republic –Rise of dictators Julius Caesar Social reforms Assassinated for defying republican tradition

17. Golden Age of Rome Rivalry post Caesar Octavian declares himself Caesar August 200 Years of Pax Romana Silk Road Greece conquerors her rude conqueror

18. Christianity Early Christians persecuted Builds on Judaic heritage Monotheistic Jesus as messiah The Bible Conversion of Constantine

19. Crisis of Late Antiquity 200 AD Classical Empires fall apart Domestic Problems –Reliance on slave labor, mercenaries, high taxes, poor leadership, sinking middle class, land distribution problems Foreign Invaders –Huns –Germanic Invaders in the East

20. Belief Systems Spread in face of chaos –Buddhism to China –Christianity throughout the Roman Empire