The Classical Period: Directions, Diversities, and Declines by 500 CE

Chapter FiveAP World HistoryMs. Tully

Common Themes in Classical Civilizations Expansion Integration Unification Decline

Beyond the Classical Civilizations Africa: Kush,

Axum, and Ethiopia

Japan & Shintoism Northern Europe:

Teutonic and Celtic Peoples

Mesomerica: Olmecs

Polynesia Nomadic societies

Expansion & Integration: China Expansion to west

and south Language unity Greater political

centralization Zhou – feudalism Qin – eliminate

feudalism, strong centralized gov’t

Han – educated bureaucracy, strong centralized gov’t

Decline: China Began around 100 CE▪ Heavy taxes on peasants▪ Poor harvests▪ Decline of interest in

Confucianism▪ Weak emperors and

influence of army generals▪ New epidemics▪ Invasions by Huns and

other nomadic tribes • Yellow Turban Rebellion

184 CE• Three Kingdoms Era until

Sui dynasty in 589 CE

Expansion, Integration, Decline: India Expansion –

regional gov’t Integration –

Hinduism Decline – Hun

Invasions Arrival of Islam

after 600 CE

Expansion, Integration, Decline: Greece Use of common

language Unification of

Persian war Disunity &

Peloponnesian War Decline

Expansion & Integration: Rome Common law Political & religious

tolerance Extensive trade

network Golden Age until

180

Decline: Rome

Most disruptive collapse

Decline began by 180 CE

Multiple factors Epidemics Cultural decline Decentralization

The Byzantine Empire

Diocletian’s division

Constantine and Constantinople

Greek language, Roman political tone

Justinian (527-565 CE)

Connections with Middle East

Lasted until 1453

Western Europe

Fall of Rome reduced level of civilization – Dark Ages

Germanic kingdoms

Sense of inferiority Spread of

Christianity

Buddhism Spread outside of India Bodhisattvas Shift from ethics to

emotion Mahayana Buddhism Buddhism and women

in China Syncretism Chinese resistance Daoist reaction Buddhism also spread

to Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand

Christianity

Emphasis on church organization and structure

Missionary activity & widespread conversions

Exclusive nature of truth & intolerance

The Beginning of Christianity

Jewish reform movement

Jesus of Nazareth Emphasis on

behavior and rituals

Growth of Christianity

Paul of Tarsus Formalization of

doctrine New Testament

The Growth of Christianity

Periodic persecution Constantine’s

conversion The Church & the Pope St. Augustine and

theology Syncretism in

Christianity Monasticism Appeal to political

leaders New Culture