Chapters 2-5

Classical Era Review

Theodore I. Rubin

“Happiness does not come from doing easy work but from the afterglow of satisfaction

that comes after the achievement of a difficult task that demanded our best.”

Comparison Practice

1. List facts & ideas that relate to the question.

2. Identify similarities & differences in this list of facts.

3. Write a statement of direct comparison for 1 similarity

4. Write a statement of direct comparison for 1 difference

5. List the reason for either the similarity or difference.

Example Questions

Compare the social structures of two of the following societies:

– China India Mediterranean

Compare the role of trade in Indian and Mediterranean civilization.

Compare the role of technology in Chinese and Mediterranean civilization.

Compare the administration of government in Han China and the Roman Empire.

Example Questions

Compare the decline of two of the following civilizations:– Han China Gupta India Roman Mediterranean

Compare the spread of Buddhism & Christianity during the classical age.

Foundations Period Review

8000 BCE – 1200 BCE: Ancient Era– Major characteristic or development of

period? 1200 BCE – 600 CE: Classical Era

– Major civilizations?– Major characteristic or development of

period?– Sub-period = 200 CE – 600 CE: Decline

Periodization

Analyze the guided timeline at the start of your Chapter 4 reading notes.

– What trends or themes do you notice?

– Does the timing of any of the events/empires surprise you? Why?

Classical Periodizationevents? accuracy? trends?

600 BCE – 200 BCE 200 BCE – 0 0 – 200 CE 200 CE – 600 CE

VedasCaste systemConfucianismDaoismLegalismBuddhismRationalism

MauryaZhouQinGreece

Civil Service Exams

Indian regionalismHanHellenistic empiresRoman Republic

Expansion of trade

Indian regionalismHan declineRoman EmpirePax Romana

Spread of Buddhism

Spread of Christianity

GuptaChina w/o political orderRoman Empire in decline

Classical China

Civ w/ largest territory & population Dynasties

– Zhou: unified language, Mandate of Heaven– Qin: peace & order, infrastructure– Han: cultural flowering, professional

bureaucracy, decline = dynastic cycle

Classical China

Philosophies– Confucianism: role, obligation, order– Daoism: harmony, balance, avoid excess– Legalism: rule by law, harsh punishments– Buddhism: suffering, end desire,

reincarnation Foundations of exchange established

– Silk Road necessary b/c of quality of Chinese goods & technology

Classical India

Centralized gov’t exception rather than rule – regional gov’t = less political focus

– Mauryan: largest empire– Gupta: period of cultural flowering

Culture & religion become emphasis of Indian society

– Hinduism & Caste System– Buddhism

Classical India

Regional govt & beliefs of Hinduism lead to cultural diversity

– Language, religious beliefs Indian Ocean fuels economy based on

trade & spread Indian influence

Classical Mediterranean

Two centers of civilization– Greece: then shifts to …– Rome: became extensive empire throughout

Europe & N Af Known for political innovations

– Democracy & republic– Administration not as innovative as theory– Result of lack of world religion

Classical Mediterranean

Decline was catastrophic– Economic deterioration, population lost,

nomadic invasion– Ends civ in region, allows Christianity to grow

Culture based on rationality w/ greatest advances in art & architecture

Economy based on slavery, commercial agriculture, & trade on sea