GLOBAL REVIEW #2

Classical Civilizations

Classical Civilizations

What are the three characteristics of Classical Civilizations?

1.

2.

3.

All Classical Civilization have a GOLDEN AGE!!!!

P

P

P

Strong, Centralized Government

Strong trade networks and strong economy

Contributions/ ideas lasting until today

eace

rosperity

rogress

GreeceGeography Accomplishments

Mountains: Lack of fertile land; Divided Greeks City- States-Athens: Education, art-Sparta: Militarism

Sea: Dependent on Mediterranean Sea for food and resources; skilled sea traders

DEMOCRACY!

-Philosophy- human reason (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle)

Traded with Phoenicians (alphabet), Persians and other Mediterranean seatraders

RomeGeography Accomplishments

Mediterranean Sea: location at center = control of Med. Sea trade

Large Empire controlled many diverse peoples

LAW! The Twelve Tables

Advances in Engineering-aqueducts, ROADS

-Greco-Roman Culture

-Split in half—Western Rome (Middle Ages) and Byzantine Empire

GuptaGeography Accomplishments

Subcontinent

Himalayas in North: isolate and protect India; passage through Hindu Kush

Monsoons- seasonal winds that bring rain and fertile soil

MATH! Concept of zero and decimals

Influenced by Hinduism

Sanskrit record keeping

HanGeography Accomplishments

Chinese Government?

Mountain, plateaus and deserts in Western China isolation ethnocentrism

Population in East (arable land, river valleys)

Influenced Korea and Japan

Civil Service exams based on Confucianism (rule by example)

Trade on Silk Road

Dynastic Cycle- rise and fall of dynasties (ruling families)

Mandate of Heaven- divine approval to rule

All Empire Fall for the same reasons: What are

they?External Internal

Outside invaders!

Attacks!

Weak Borders

Corrupt Government

High Taxes

Weak Military

Declining infrastructure (bad roads= lack of trade)