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Classical Civilizations in World History
CHINA (QIN AND HAN)
INDIA (MAURYA AND GUPTA)
GREECE
ROME
What is a Classic?
 Music
 Movies
 Clothing
 Sports
 Art
 Architecture
 Theater
 Literature
Classical Characteristics
1) Something in the past
2) Original – Unique - One of a Kind
3) Memorable
4) Influential
5) Easily Recognized
Four Areas of the World Had Classical Civilizations
 China
 India
 Greece
 Italy (ROME)
All Classic Civilizations Have…
 A “Golden Age” – Period of Peace and Prosperity
(great accomplishments and wealth)
 Advances in culture – Art, Architecture, Literature
 Science, Technology, and Math
 An impact on others
Classical Civilizations in China
Qin Dynasty
Leader: Shi Huangdi
Time Period: 221 BCE – 202 BCE
Philosophy: Legalism
Type of Government:
 TOTALITARIAN/Strong Central Government
 Eliminate Confucianism (No Education)
 Military and Agriculture are Most Important
Accomplishments:
 Great Wall for Protection (Construction Begins)
 Major Public Works (Flood Control, Irrigation)
 Writing System
 Standardized Weights and Measures
Decline/Fall:
 Overthrown by Han due to harsh policies
Classical Civilizations in China
Han Dynasty
Leader: Liu Bang/Han Wudi
Time Period: 206 BCE – 220 CE
Philosophy: Confucianism
Type of Government:
 Confucian Bureaucracy
 Merit Based System
 Education and Family are Most Important
Accomplishments:
 Civil Service Exam System
 Technological Innovation: Paper, Shipbuilding
Decline/Fall:
 Weak Leadership
 Invasion
 High Taxes
Classical Civilizations in India
Maurya Empire
Chandragupta Maurya created 1st Indian Empire through CONQUEST.
Chandragupta Maintains Order in India
1) Well maintained Bureaucracy
2) Royal Court – Justice System
3) Effective Tax System
4) Public Works: Roads and Buildings for Trade
Asoka – “The Most Honored Emperor”
Accomplishments:
1) Peace and Prosperity to Empire
2) United diverse Empire
3) Buddhist Principles – Law throughout empire
Conversion to Buddhism:
 Missionaries spread beliefs
 Stupas (Buddhist Shrines) throughout empire
Classical Civilizations in India
Gupta Empire
500 years after the Maurya Empire ended the Guptas began their empire;
it is considered India’s GOLDEN AGE or Period of Peace and Prosperity.
India’s GOLDEN AGE
Math: Concept of zero, Decimal system
Medicine: Surgery, Vaccines, Hospitals
Architecture: Buddhist Stupas, Travel lodges
Literature: Drama and Poetry
Government: Elected leaders, Schools
DECLINE OF THE GUPTA
 Civil War
 Weak leaders
 Foreign Invaders
The Parthenon
The Coloseum
Common Features of Golden Age Civilizations
Period of Peace and Prosperity: Empires are free from invasion and
are considered secure, which leads to more trade and greater wealth and
happiness.
Advancements in Art/Architecture: Greater specialization leads to
advances in both areas. Examples: Coloseum (Rome), Parthenon (Greece)
Stable Government: Governments meet the needs of their people and
provide stability and order. Examples: Roman Republic, Chinese
Bureaucracy.
Economic Success: Massive surpluses, profitable trade and urbanization
cause unprecedented economic growth.
Emphasis on Learning/Education: Stability and order allows people
to focus on education and learning by building schools, libraries and
museums. Examples: Greek philosophy (Socrates), Hellenistic Libraries
(Alexandria).
Major Belief Systems in India and China
Confucianism (CHINA): Philosophy which promotes
education, 5 basic relationships (social class structure)
and responsible government.
Legalism (CHINA): Philosophy that focuses on a
STRONG CENTRAL GOVERNMENT (Totalitarian) and
emphasizes Military and Agriculture.
Buddhism (INDIA): Non-Violent religion in which
followers seek to attain Nirvana and strive for inner peace
by eliminating desires through the Eightfold Path.
Hinduism (INDIA): Religion that creates a rigid social
class structure (CASTE SYSTEM) and focuses on
reincarnation, karma and dharma. Provides stability and
order for India.
Classical Civilization in Greece
GEOGRAPHIC FEATURES
IMPACT
Mountainous Topography Lack of Unity, Division
(Rocky Land)
into City-States
Peninsula (Aegean,
Mediterranean Sea)
Profitable sea trade and
travel
Mediterranean Climate
Long growing season for
OLIVES and GRAPES
(Wine)
Greek Government
City-State: A city that forms an independent state with
the surrounding territory (Autonomous).
Types of Government in Ancient Greece
Monarchy – Government is controlled by one person
Aristocracy – Power is controlled by a small, wealthy,
privileged ruling class.
Oligarchy – Government controlled by a small group
(Sparta – 5 Ephors)
Democracy – Power is in the hands of the people who
participate directly in their own governance. (AthensDirect Democracy)
Athens and Sparta
Athens
Government: Direct
Democracy
Values:
 Freedom
 Philosophy
 Education
 Citizenship
Sparta
Government: Oligarchy
Values:
 Military
 Order
 Discipline
 Loyalty to Sparta
Greek Philosophy
Socrates: “Father of
Philosophy,” Socratic
Method
Plato: Wrote “The
Republic,” PhilosopherKing
Aristotle: Plato’s
Student, School of
Athens, Human Reason
The Age of Pericles
Greece’s Golden Age
 Glorification of Athens

Parthenon/Acropolis
 Strong Democracy
 Athenian Empire
 Philosophy/Drama
 Oedipus the King
 The Apology of Socrates
 Courts/Justice
 Homer – The Iliad and
the Odyssey
Alexander the Great
In just 10 years Alexander conquered a huge empire that stretched 20,000
miles from Greece to India. He spread Greek culture and civilization
throughout Eurasia.
1) Peloponnesian War (431 BCE-404BCE): War between Athens
and Sparta for power, weakens all Greeks and makes them
vulnerable to attack.
2) Extraordinary Military Leader – Conquers 90% of the known
world (Egypt to India)
3) Dies at 33 and his empire is divided into 3 “Hellenistic”
Empires – Hellenistic Culture: Combines Greek, Egyptian,
Indian and Persian cultures
4) Achievements: Advanced Cities (Alexandria), Learning
(Libraries and Museums), Math, Science, Astronomy,
CULTURAL DIFFUSION
Hellenistic Culture
Cultural Diffusion: The Spread of ideas, goods, culture from
one society to another.
Alexander’s Empire combines the cultures of: Greece, Egypt,
Persia and India.
Attractions/Learning
a. Museum
a. Temple dedicated to
the muses (Greek
Goddesses)
b. Zoo, Botanical
Gardens, Research,
Art Galleries
b. Alexandrian Library
a. ½ Million Papyrus
Scrolls
b. 1st research library in
the world
Astronomy
a. Ptolemy
a. Earth Centered
Universe
b. Eratosthenes
a. Calculated
circumference
of the Earth.
Mathematics and
Physics
a. Archimedes
a. Pi
b. Lever, Screw,
Pulley
b. Euclid
a. Geometry
The Roman empire
All Roads Lead to Rome
Geography
 Mediterranean
(Strategic
 Fertile
Sea
location with key trade routes)
Soil
 Warm Climate
Roman Expansion
Punic Wars (264 BCE-146 BCE)
Battle
with Carthage
Roman expansion throught
Mediterranean Sea. (Mare Nostrum)
Roman Military Strengths
 Citizen
Soldiers
 Road Network
 Military Values
Hannibal
The Early Republic
 Rome was founded as a REPUBLIC and was controlled
by the PATRICIANS. Over time the Plebeians revolted
and gained elected representatives and a Code of Law
known as the 12 TABLES.
Republic – A form of government in which power rests with
citizens who vote to elect representatives.
 Patricians – Aristocratic landowners (most power)
 Plebeians – Commoners, farmers and merchants (most
people)
 Citizens - all free born males are an active part of the empire
 12 Tables – Roman laws provided order and stability for all

Aim: Strong leaders create and
empire
Strong Leaders Create an Empire
 Struggles For Power


First Triumvirate (Rule of 3) – Julius Caesar, Pompey, Crassus
Second Triumvirate – Octavian, Mark Antony, Lepidus

Mark Antony v. Octavian – Battle of Actium
 Julius Caesar
 44 BC – Dictator for life
 Helped poor, public works, extended citizenship to provinces
 Assassinated March 15th, 44 BC
 Augustus Caesar (Octavian)
 Imperator of Rome – Absolute Ruler
 Begins Pax Romana –ROMES GOLDEN AGE
 Best Emperor: Stabilized Government
 Public Works, Civil Service, Postal System
Julius Caesar
Battle of Actium
Aim: What was the Pax Romana?
Characteristics of the Pax Romana
The Pax Romana or “Roman Peace” is considered Rome’s
Golden Age. This period of Peace and Prosperity is the
height of the Roman Empire.
1) Economic Prosperity
2) Roman Roads (Trade and Military)
3) Silk Road Trade Strengthens- Connects Rome to Asia
4) Roman Culture
5) Glorification of Rome (1 million people in the city)
6) No Major Wars
7) Stable Government
1)
5 Good Emperors
8) Women Gain Respect
 Still no political power
Time to Split for Rome
Emperor Diocletian
Emperor Constantine
In 284 CE the Empire is
divided into 2 parts
Continued Diocletian's
reforms.
Empire was TOO LARGE
to rule efficiently
CHRISTIANITY-Tolerant,
Christianity grows
Improved economy,
increased prestige of the
Emperor
Moves Capital to
CONSTANTINOPLE:
Eastern Rome becomes
more powerful than
Western Rome (Invasion)
THE FALL OF ROME (PERMS)
 Political
 Corruption
 Weak Leaders
 Division  Inefficient Government
 Citizens lack interest in politics
 Economic
 Rapid Inflation
 Government Overspending (Bread and Circus, Mercenaries)
 High Taxes
 High Poverty
 Decline in trade
 Religious
 Old religious values die
 Christian Values: Non-Violence, “turn the other cheek”
 Military
 Empire too large to defend
 Constant barbarian invasions (Western Rome)
 Mercenary soldiers are not as good as citizen soldiers
 Social
 Military values wear down
 CLASS TENSION: Patricians vs Plebeians
 People just want to be entertained (Bread and Circus)…No
value in HARD WORK