The Classical Period Objective; understand the directions, diversities, and declines of the...
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The Classical Period
Objective; understand the directions, diversities, and declines of the
classical period by 500CE
Expansion & Integration
• Common themes for the classical civilization involve territorial expansion and related efforts to intergrade the new territories
• China united through centralization, India through religious values and the Mediterranean through cultural achievements
• Integration required territorial & social cohesion• Each civilization valued social distinctions
Beyond the Classical Civilizations
• Outside the centers of civilization important developments occurred
• Significant civilization operated in the Americas – The Olmec, Maya, and Incas
• In Africa – the Kush, Axum and Ethiopia• Agriculture and other advancements spread across
Europe and Northern Asia where semi-civilized developed and contact with older civilization
Nomadic Societies
• They will play a vital role, particularly in central Asia
• They will link and occasionally disrupt classical civilization
• Most important popular migrations across Eurasia led to the rise of new cultures
Decline of China & India • Internal weakness and nomadic invasions led to
important changes in China & India • The Huns will attack all three classical civilizations• Around 100CE the Han dynasty began a serious
decline– Weak central government, social unrest led by over tax
peasants, and epidemics combined with the government unable to stop invading nomads led to the fall of the Han
• By 600 China revived 1st with the short Sui dynasty then the glorious Tang dynasty
Decline of China & India
• The decline in India was not as drastic• The Huns destroyed the Gupta empire and for
several centuries no native led a large state• Hinduism gained ground as Buddhism,
unappealing to the warrior caste decline • After 600 Islam entered India and Arab traders
took control of Indian ocean trade routes• But Hinduism survived and Islam never gain a
strong following
Fall of Rome
• The Decline of Rome is complex and is still debated but something that everyone agrees on are; population decline, failed leadership, economy faltered, tax collection become difficult, plagues , a sense of hopelessness.
• When Germanic tribes invaded in 400’s there was little power or will to resist
• The roman empire will divide and the eastern part will be known as the Byzantine Empire will continue for another 1000 years.
New Religions
• The classical decline saw the rapid expansion of Buddhism and Christianity
• These religions will have a wider cultural, social and political implications
• Later Islam will spread quickly across the south and into southeast Asia
500CE Three Major Themes
• Collapse of classical civilizations. Societies across Eurasia will have to revive or rework their key institutions and values after the invasions
• New religions arose and older ones spread. These would form the basis of future civilizations
• Developments around the world spread and will lead to the rise of new civilizations