The Classical Period

600 b.c.e to 600 c.ePaul Tully, Skylar Mullins, Sam Dietz, Mark

Kreutzer

Characteristics of the Classical World Asia- 221- Qin unified China- 220 ce- Han Dynasty ends (maintained dynastic cycle)

Europe- 476 ce- Fall of Rome- 323 bce - Alexander the Great - 32 ce - Christianity, Europe divided

Americas - Olmec, Chavin

Population Shifts

-China - Rice terracing provides more food causing more population -Roman Empire- The Romans took over Europe causing expansion-Mauryan/ Gupta- Maurya Empire was large, the Guptas made it smaller-Persians- In control/ took over Middle East meaning they had control of a larger population

Development and Interactions of Cultures

● The empires of the Classical period developed their own institutions:

○ Confucianism developed a bureaucracy in China.

○ Hinduism created the Caste system in India.

○ City states in Southern Europe grew into empires.

● Enhanced trade - The empires of the Classical period were connected through the Silk Roads.

● Many merchants traveled throughout Eurasia, spreading their cultures and ideas which also affected the development of empires.

Religions in the Classical Period● Hinduism- pantheistic religion with polytheistic beliefs that focuses on living

life according to the dharma, which is the principle of cosmic order. Women in this religion also practiced sati, which is the action of throwing themselves on their husbands burning funeral pyre.

● Buddhism- is a religion in which people live according to the dharma, the teachings of Buddha, to achieve Nirvana or spiritual enlightenment. The women of Buddhism had convents in which they gained more rights. This practice also spread throughout China and Ashoka converted his entire empire to Buddhism.

● Polytheism- the belief in more than one god. The Greeks were a polytheistic society that based their culture off of the greek gods. The Greeks based most of their plays on the actions of the gods.

● Daoim- founded by Lao Tze and was made to fulfill the lack of a spiritual element in China. It allows the people to become more connected with the world and the natural order of things.

Religions in the Classical PeriodConfucianism- founded by Confucius and based upon his teachings. It allowed for things like the Mandate of Heaven and the civil service exams to be created. Confucianism also solidified the social hierarchy in China. Christianity- it was the main religion of the Roman Empire. The pope had most of the power in the empire and gave power to the rulers. Eastern Orthodox Christianity also split the empire into west and east.Judaism- the religion of the jewish people, also known as Hebrew. It was not adopted by any empire at first, but used by nomadic groups and diaspora communities. The Hebrew walls were based off of the Old Testament. Islam- monotheistic faith based on the findings of Muhammad. The Islamic practices are based off of the Five Pillars of Islam - faith, prayer, fasting, pilgrimage to Mecca, and alms.

Women and social structures.● Most empires were patriarchies.● Religion and culture had a negative effect

on women’s status:o Sati in India forced women to be

burned on their husbands grave.o Confucianism in China emphasized

obedience to their husbands.

● Religion and culture also had a positive effect on women’s status:o Hindu gods were feminine.o Both Christianity and Buddhism had

convents which gave women more freedom and authority than a married woman.

Rise and Fall of EmpiresEmpires

● Rome began to fall in 476 C.E.o It split into to the east and

west and the west collapsed while the east turned into the Byzantine empire.

● The Han dynasty collapsed and that began the era of the warring states.

Nomads● The Huns repeatedly attacked Han

China.● The Germanic people attacked the

western half of the Roman Empire.

Major Events B.C.E

- 323 B.C.E - Reign of Alexander The Great - 221 B.C.E Fall of Zhou; beginning of Qin- 44 B.C.E. Fall of Roman Republic

- 27 B.C.E Rise of Roman Empire- 6th century B.C.E - rise of Confucianism, Buddhism, Daoism.

Major Events C.E.

- 4 C.E. - Formation of Trans-Saharan trade routes - 30 C.E. - Rise of Christianity - 220 - Fall of Han Dynasty; period of warring states- 476 - Fall of Holy Roman EmpireDivision of East (Byzantine)West (small divided rival states)- 523 - Justinian Rule of Byzantine