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AP World History
Chapter 4: The Classical Civilization in the Mediterranean:
Persia, Greece and Rome
Mr. Soff
The Persian Tradition:
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Founded by Cyrus the Great, the Persian Empire was tolerant of local customs,
developed iron technology, organized an effective government and military, developed a
new religion (Zoroastrianism), and supported a great artistic tradition.
Patterns of Greek and Roman History:
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The rise of the dynamic city-states of classical Greece began around 800 BCE, reaching a
high point in the fifth century BCEW, when Pericles governed Athens.
Following the Peloponnesian Wars between Athens and Sparta, decline set in, but a
new pattern of expansion occurred under Alexander the Great. Greek values spread
widely in the ensuing Hellenistic period.
As Hellenism declined, Rome was emerging as an expanding republic, defeating
Carthage in the Punic Wars and later becoming the Roman Empire after the death
of Julius Caesar. For roughly 200 years, the Empire enjoyed great power and
prosperity.
Despite the efforts of emperors like Diocletian and Constantine, the ensuing 250
years brought a slow but decisive fall.
Greek and Roman Political Institutions:
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Greece and Rome featured an important variety of political forms. Both tended to
emphasize aristocratic rule, but there were significant democratic elements as well.
In the Greek polis, those who were citizens participated actively in political life. In
Athens, the system of direct democracy allowed citizens to shape policy in general
assemblies.
In the Roman republic, the senate was the main legislative body, but under the
autocratic empire, the Senate’s influence waned.
Later, Rome added emphasis on law and created the institutions necessary to run a vast
and decentralized empire.
Religion and Culture:
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Greek and Roman culture did not directly generate a lasting major religion, though
Christianity arose in the classical Mediterranean context. Greco-Roman religion used
epic poetry and mythology to explore human foibles and passions.
An emphasis on rationality, especially in philosophy, science, and a strong artistic and
architectural tradition, permeated classical Mediterranean culture.
Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle are the most well known Greek philosophers.
Economy and Society in the Mediterranean:
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Greek and Roman societies mirrored many standard social features of the agricultural
economy, including a large peasantry and a land-owning aristocracy, and dependence on
trade and commerce.
Differing versions of the patriarchal family structure existed in both Greek and Roman
culture.
Distinctive features included slavery and a slightly less oppressive attitude towards
women than was true in classical China.
Toward the Fall of Rome:
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Rome began to decline after about 180 CE. Symptoms were gradual, including loss of
territory and economic reversals.
Ultimately, invaders periodically raided Rome until the empire finally collapsed.
Key terminology:
1. Zoroastrianism:
2. Hellenism:
3. Polis:
4. Direct democracy:
5. Persian Wars:
6. Peloponnesian War:
7. Stoics:
8. Doric, Ionic, Corinthian:
9. Consuls:
10. Punic Wars:
Focus Questions:
1. If the Greek genius was politics, what was the Roman genius?
2. Compared to modern American ideas of democracy, how was Athenian democracy distinctive?
3. How did Greek politics resemble Indian politics?
4. From a Confucian viewpoint, the Roman Empire might have been criticized for placing too much confidence in…?
5. Who did the Senate of republican Rome particularly represent?
6. How did Roman emperors try to prevent popular disorder?
7. Explain the Greek and Hellenistic approach in science.
8. How did Greek and Roman architecture compare to Chinese architecture?
9. Where (what kind of occupations/labor) were Roman slaves used and not used?
10. Both ancient Rome and Greece depended on slavery. What were some of the results of this dependence?