The Classical Period

Objective; understand the directions, diversities, and declines of the

classical period by 500CE

Expansion & Integration

• Common themes for the classical civilization involve territorial expansion and related efforts to intergrade the new territories

• China united through centralization, India through religious values and the Mediterranean through cultural achievements

• Integration required territorial & social cohesion• Each civilization valued social distinctions

Beyond the Classical Civilizations

• Outside the centers of civilization important developments occurred

• Significant civilization operated in the Americas – The Olmec, Maya, and Incas

• In Africa – the Kush, Axum and Ethiopia• Agriculture and other advancements spread across

Europe and Northern Asia where semi-civilized developed and contact with older civilization

Nomadic Societies

• They will play a vital role, particularly in central Asia

• They will link and occasionally disrupt classical civilization

• Most important popular migrations across Eurasia led to the rise of new cultures

Decline of China & India • Internal weakness and nomadic invasions led to

important changes in China & India • The Huns will attack all three classical civilizations• Around 100CE the Han dynasty began a serious

decline– Weak central government, social unrest led by over tax

peasants, and epidemics combined with the government unable to stop invading nomads led to the fall of the Han

• By 600 China revived 1st with the short Sui dynasty then the glorious Tang dynasty

Decline of China & India

• The decline in India was not as drastic• The Huns destroyed the Gupta empire and for

several centuries no native led a large state• Hinduism gained ground as Buddhism,

unappealing to the warrior caste decline • After 600 Islam entered India and Arab traders

took control of Indian ocean trade routes• But Hinduism survived and Islam never gain a

strong following

Fall of Rome

• The Decline of Rome is complex and is still debated but something that everyone agrees on are; population decline, failed leadership, economy faltered, tax collection become difficult, plagues , a sense of hopelessness.

• When Germanic tribes invaded in 400’s there was little power or will to resist

• The roman empire will divide and the eastern part will be known as the Byzantine Empire will continue for another 1000 years.

New Religions

• The classical decline saw the rapid expansion of Buddhism and Christianity

• These religions will have a wider cultural, social and political implications

• Later Islam will spread quickly across the south and into southeast Asia

500CE Three Major Themes

• Collapse of classical civilizations. Societies across Eurasia will have to revive or rework their key institutions and values after the invasions

• New religions arose and older ones spread. These would form the basis of future civilizations

• Developments around the world spread and will lead to the rise of new civilizations