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Major Belief Systems
& Religions
Comparison and influences on
the ancient world
By Kailey Ruiz
Confucianism in China
400 b.c.e
 Confucianism focused on an ethical instead of a religious system.
 Confucianism formed the basis for Chinese philosophical and
religious beliefs for over 2000 years.
 Government leaders embraced it; it was intended to create orderly
society.
 Created tight-knit communities where members had responsibilities
 The technological advancements, scholar-gentry bureaucracy, and
agrarian state motivated many great American and European
thinkers.
 Was the main religion of the Zhou, Qing, Han, Tang, and Song
dynasties of China.
 RESTRICTED TO CHINA
Buddhism Spread Throughout
Asia
483 b.c.e
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Buddhists did not believe at all in the caste system but
more in dharma
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Promoted equality of believers, no social discrimination
Appealed to lower classes
No social structure meant it could apply to anyone spread to China, Japan, and southeast Asia via trade
routes
Emperor Ashoka converted to Buddhism in 260 B.C.E.
Brought about one of the first centers of learning –
universities
Stirred strong opposition by Brahmans in India
Anti- Buddhist backlash by Confucian and Dao
supporters under emperor Wuzong in 9th century.
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Destroyed shrines and monks were forced to abandon religion
Hinduism in India
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Powerful local leaders promoted arts & education
Major Hindu philosophies like Vedanta emerged
Caste system became more enforced
You were born into a caste level and you could not
switch levels or intermarry – strictly patriarchal
 Brought about social divisions and discrimination between classes
 Indian rulers supported the caste system – more power
 Medical advancements and improvements to the
numerical/decimal system
 Social restrictions stirred negative response with the
globe
 Not accepted by many western nations
Spread of Hinduism
Islam in the Middle East
622 c.e.
 Egalitarianism for all believers
 5 pillars of faith – concept of jihad
 Founded by prophet Muhammad
 Later caused tension between Sunnis and Shia: led to Umayyad
decline
 Gathered large following – leaders converted
 Later alarmed Christian leaders – power threat
 During Umayyad dynasty the capital was moved to
Damascus (Mecca remained spiritual center)
 Patriarchal society, but women were respected under
the Qu’ran
 Veiling
 Harem
Catholicism in Europe
th
15 century c.e.
 Roused religious rivals
 Jean Calvin – calvinism, predestination
 Martin Luther – Lutheran, disagreed w/ chastity
 Protestantism – revolt against Catholic church
 Catholic Reformation: major church council to revive
Catholic doctrines – response to Protestantism
 Catholicism spread with explorers to Philippines, and
South America
 Calvinists vs Catholics = Treaty of Nantes
 Catholicism stirred tensions w/ everyone
 Christian unity could not be restored
Eastern Orthodox Christianity:
Russia & Byzantine
 Hagia Sophia
 Emperor Justinian – supported church
 Secular rulers headed the church
 Disagreed with Catholics on sacrament of
communion, priests not marrying and local
languages of the church
 Leaders excommunicated each other
 Religion was localized
 Emperors had power over church and state
 More secular than the West
Spread of Christianity
Christianity
 Christian missionaries traveled to
Americas and tried to convert Indians
 Built churches & missions, taught the Bible
 Emphasis on compassion, eternal life
 Appealed to lower class and women
 By 3rd century c.e. became the most
influential religion in the Mediterranean
 Official religion of the Roman Empire
 The West centralized power in the
Church
 Power came from Rome
Polytheism
600 c.e. - 1450
 Latin America, Greece, and Egypt all had religions
with numerous gods who were higher than humans
 Mesoamerica:
 Gods of rain, agriculture, fire, water, war
 Greece:
 Gods of the universe, the sea, the underworld,
love, wisdom, harvest, battle, music, poetry
 Egypt:
 Gods of the sun, harvest, death
 Was the center of art & architecture
 Filled w/ rituals  led to rise of priestly
class who controlled interaction between
people & gods
 Priestly class rose to the top of society
Christians and Muslims in
Africa
600 c.e.
 Islam entered north Africa in 640 c.e.
 Islam’s egalitarianism help African people with the
acceptance of new rulers
 African kings liked the idea of uniting state and church
powers under one ruler
 Social stratifications still remained important in African
societies
 Christian kingdoms:
 Nubia
 Ethiopia
 Translated the Gospels
 Strongly resisted Muslim forces/ influence
 Attempts by the Portuguese to bring Ethiopian Christianity
into the roman Catholic church failed
 Ethiopia remained isolated and independent
Judaism
1200 b.c.e.
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Became one of the first monotheistic faiths
Promoted ethics
Maintained identity of the people
Both a religious practice and societal custom - a way of
life
 Gave birth to Islam and Christianity
 All 3 believed to be ancestors of Moses, followed the Laws of
Moses
 No premium placed on converting non-Jews
 Kept them in minority position in middle east
 Changed the way humankind viewed God:
 He was powerful, just, orderly, and linked to proper moral
behavior