Download Classical Civilizations

Classical Civilizations
The Gupta Empire
 Gupta
Dynasty: In India about 500 years
after the rule of the Maurya dynasty.
 Untouchables: Outcasts in the Gupta
Empire. Lived harsh lives, given jobs
considered impure.
Characteristics of Government
 Efficient
central government, allowed
farming and trade to prosper.
 Central government gave power to local
leaders.
Hinduism and the Caste System
4
Basic castes.
 People believed Karma determined class.
 Untouchables were outcasts.
Contributions

Math:

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Concept of zero.
Decimal System.
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Medicine:
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Used herbs and other
remedies to treat
illnesses.
Surgeons set bones
and repaired facial
injuries.
China: Tang and Song Dynasty
 Tang
Dynasty: Ruled China from 618 to
907.
 Song Dynasty: Ruled China from 960 to
1279.
 Gentry: Wealthy landowners who wanted
education over physical labor.
 Calligraphy: Fine handwriting.
What was the guiding principle of
Chinese government?
 People
who wanted to hold office had to
pass a difficult exam that emphasized
Confucian philosophy.
 Led to a highly educated ruling class.
Achievements of Tang and Song
 Government:

Used civil service to create a highly educated
upper ruling class.
 Economy:

Expanded trade, built canals, created world’s
1st paper currency.
 Art:
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Calligraphy.
Porcelain.
Pagoda: Temple with a roof curved on the
corners.
How did China influence Japan?
 Japan
began to blend Chinese with their
own culture.
 Japanese nobles adopted Chinese
language, food, style of dress, ceremony,
dance and garden.
Byzantine Empire and Russia
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Justinian: Leader of the Byzantines at its peak
from 527 to 565.
Justinian’s Code: Code of law set up by
Justinian.
Icon: Holy images of Jesus, Mary and saints in
the orthodox church.
Schism: Split between the Orthodox Christian
Church in the East and the Roman Catholic
Church in the East.
Czar: Autocratic rulers in Russia.
Geographic Setting
 Capital
City: Constantinople.
 Justinian’s Code is important because:

It was a body of civil laws used as a basis for
international law today.
Orthodox Christian Church
 Split


because:
Priests could marry.
Greek was the language.
Byzantine Empire affect Russia in
the following areas:
 Language:
Gave Russia a written
language. Adapted the Greek alphabet.
 Religion: Carried Russian Orthodox
Christianity. Became the basis for Russian
government and religion.
 Government: Autocratic rule. Czars.
 Art and Architecture: Transformed into
onion domes.
Islamic Civilization
 Describe


the division in Islam.
Sunnis: Caliph chosen by Muslim leaders.
Shiites: Only the descendants of the prophet
Muhammad should be his successors.
Islamic Achievements

Math: Algebra, Developed astronomical tables,
measured the earth’s circumference within a few
thousand feet.
 Art: Calligraphy, mosques and palace walls had
elaborate art with abstract geometric patterns.
 Medicine: Pass a test before practicing, set up
hospitals.
 Economics: Trade, manufacturing. (steel swords,
leather goods, carpets, fruits and vegetables.)
Medieval Europe and the Crusades
 Medieval:
Middle Ages 500 to mid 1400s.
 Chivalry: Code of Conduct knights were
bound by.
 Manorialism: Economic system structured
around the lord’s manor or estate.
 Serfs: Peasants who lived on the estate.
 Excommunicate: Excluded from the
Catholic Church.
Why did the feudal system
develop?
 Because
kings in the early middle ages
were too weak too keep invaders out, so
people banded together for protection.
Create a chart of the feudal system
Kings
Lords
Lesser Lords
Knights
Peasants and Townspeople
Why does the term mutual responsibility best
describe the feudal system?
 In
order for a manor to be successful and
survive, each person/group had
responsibilities.
Why does the term self-sufficient
best describe manorialism?
 Everything
needed for survival was
on/near the manor.
 They didn’t rely on others.
Why was the Church the most powerful
institution during the Middle Ages?
 It
stabilized Western Europe, provided
worldly leadership and preserved and
revived learning.
Describe the manor system and how it
provided for the basic needs of people.
 Serfs
worked the land for the lords, lords
gave the peasants several acres of land to
farm, lord would protect the serfs in times
of war.
What were the secular powers of
the church?
 Economic:
10% of income.
 Political: Own laws. Could excommunicate
people.
Describe the relationship between
religion and art in medieval Europe.
 Focused
on glorifying God.
 Reflection of the Church’s power.
Contributions of Medieval Europe
 Literature:
stories of knights, feudal lords
and common people.
 Art and architecture: Stone churches,
stained glass windows.
The Crusades
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Crusades: religious war between Muslims and
Christians to drive the Muslims out of the Holy
Land (200 years).
Urban II: Pope who called for the Crusades.
Council of Clermont: Where Pope urban asked
French and German bishops to recapture the
Holy Land.
Holy Land: Palestine.
Saladin: Muslim leader who united them in
1100s.
List the reasons for the Crusades
 1.
Pope believed Crusades would expand
his power in Europe.
 2. Christians believed their sins would be
forgiven if they participated.
 3. Nobles hoped to gain wealth and land.
 4. Some saw it as a chance for travel and
excitement.
 5. Serfs hoped to escape feudal
oppression.
Impact the Crusades had on
Medieval life.
 Global
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Economy:
Trade was increased as Europeans became
interested in Eastern products.
Ships were built, allowing trade routes to be
developed.
 European
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interest in learning:
Gained a broader outlook. (Interest in other
cultures).
Were introduced to new ideas they wanted to
learn about.
 Christian
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Church:
Temporarily increased the pope’s power,
eventually decreased it.
Split between East and West churches.
How the Crusades affect the feudal
system.
 1.
Gave monarchs more power.
 2. Institution of Feudalism weakened.
 3. Economy based on money, not land
began.