Classical Period: Directions, Diversities,

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Classical PeriodDirections, Diversities,
Declines by 500 CE(here, there everywhere)

• Chapter 5

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Beyond the classical civilizations
Kush
Upper Nile
1000BCE
expansion from Egyptian civilization
Japan
from Korean peninsula
tribal
ironwork
3
Northern Europe
regional kingdoms
little written language
primitive agriculture
Americas
Olmecs 800-400BCE
advanced agriculture - corn
4
Decline of Classical Civilizations
200-600BCE
invasions by Central Asians
internal problems
5
CHINA
100 CE Han dynasty decline
government control lessens
social unrest
imperial court intrigue
epidemics
3 centuries of chaos
recovers strong base
6
INDIA
500s CE Gupta destroyed by Huns
invaders integrated into warrior class
regional princes (Rajput)
7th century Islamic Arab invasions
culture persists
regionalism
7
ROME
prolonged complex fall
weak emperors
plagues - population declines
Roman elite factor
Constantine 312-337
stronger, held off dissolution of empire
8
Byzantine Empire
civilization more entrenched
eastern portion
fewer invasions
Greek language
vibrant, creative , trade
Justinian 527-565
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Religions
200-600 rise of major religions
intense devotion piety
better existence after death
Buddhism - altered as spread
leadership - monks
abandoned earthly life for spiritual dedication
10
Christianity
direct role in formation of post-classical
civilizations
emphasis on church organization
missionaries conversion
intolerance of competing beliefs
Jesus
believed sent to earth to redeem human sin
radical reform movement