Classical Mediterranean

Chapter 4Pg. 76-95

Persian Tradition• Key civilizations rose neighboring

& influencing the Mediterranean:– Persian Empire during Greek Era– Sassanid Empire during Roman Era

• Cultural contributions include:– Zoroastrianism

Patterns in Classical Greece

• 800BCE-500BCE: early Greek diversity, common language from Phoenicians

• 500BCE-431BCE: Greek city-states flourish & expand

• 431BCE-338BCE: decline due to Peloponnesian Wars

• 338BCE-100BCE: Alexander the Great & Hellenistic period

Patterns in Classical Rome

• 509BCE-45BCE: Roman Republic expands vigorously

• 27BCE-180CE: Roman Empire’s peace & prosperity

• 180CE-476CE: Roman Empire declines as society loses effectiveness

Political Institutions• Political theory & citizenship

create cultural preoccupation with gov

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Political Institutions - Greece

• Characteristic Greek city-states innovate two forms:– Direct democracy = decisions

made by voting citizens attending assemblies

– Aristocratic assembly = aristocrats gather to check executive power

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Political Institutions - Rome

• Common threads of Roman politics:– Local autonomy & religious freedom

– Codified objective law: held territory together & limited aristocratic privilege

– Function based on military, infrastructure, entertainment

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Religion & Culture• Religion: polytheism classical

mythology regulating human powers & nature– Christianity: only historically

significant during Rome’s decline– Had clear limitations

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Religion & Culture• Philosophies fulfilled some

religious shortfalls through– Ethical codes of moderation– Abstract theories about human nature

• Science & math weak empirically– Yet contributed geometry, anatomy,

engineering• Art & literature

– Sculpture, Plays, Poems

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Religion & Culture• Architecture &

engineering– Roman aqueducts– Greek Parthenon– Column styles

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Economy & Society• Commercial agriculture

dominated– Free farmers indebted to landlords– Olive & grape agriculture required

trade & expansion

• Slavery was a key ingredient– Hindered production technology

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Economy & Society• Families patriarchal, but

women had some rights

• Rural culture differed significantly than urban cultural legacy

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Toward the Fall of Rome• Decline after 180 CE & fall in 476:

– More definitive than other civs

– Result of •Loss of territory & population•Political & Economic

ineffectiveness•Nomadic invasions

Global Connections• Greek connections framed by

belief in own superiority

• Roman connections complex due to size, diversity of population, economic clout, yet confidence in own style

Question

• What are the short-term & long-term effects of the Mediterranean civilizations’ lack of a dominant unifying religion?