Chapter 4Classical Greece and Rome

OverviewThese civilizations did not dominate the

classical period China and India rival them in terms of their effect

on world history

C. 800 through 476 CE

Institutions and values that reverberated throughout Europe and its colonies

Greek and Roman political, social, and economic institutions have some similarities, but many unique aspects

The First Persian Empire (c. 550-330 BCE)

The Persian Tradition Cyrus the Great

550 BCE Freed the Jews from Babylonian captivity

Influenced in some degree Greece and Rome

Absorbed some attributes of early Mesopotamian societies

Zoroastrianism

Advance halted by Greece (300 Spartans) Xerxes

Toppled by Alexander Darius III

Replaced by Sassanid Empire during the time of Imperial Rome

Patterns in Greek History Crete

Influenced by Egyptian culture and art, 2000 BCE

Mycenae Southern Greek kingdom, 1400 BCE

Rise of the Greek polis: 800 to 600 BCE High point under Athenian Pericles

Direct democracy by citizens Role of geography Common cultural forms and written language The Olympics

Defeat of the Persian invasion, 500 to 449 BCE

Peloponnesian Wars, 431 to 440 BCE

Rise of Macedon

Greece during the Peloponnesian War

Alexander the GreatAlexander united Greece and

Persia

Died at 33 in Babylon Empire split among his generals

Hellenism The spread of Greek philosophy,

art, and architecture throughout the Middle East

Alexander’s Empire

Rome’s Rise As Hellenism declined, Rome ascended to power

753 BCE Rome founded as a monarchy

Conquered and/or assimilated nearby territories

509 BCE Republic founded

Militaristic culture Punic Wars, 264 to 146 BCE Rome became the strongest power in the

Mediterranean region

Caesar and Empire Marian military reforms

Soldiers more loyal to generals than to the state

The poor became a greater voice in politics

Caesar emerged victorious after conquering Gaul then decades of civil war Assassinated in 44 BCE Adopted Octavian posthumously

Octavian emerged victorious after more civil war in 27 BCE Established the basics for centuries of Imperial

rule Pax Romana

Closed the doors of the Temple of Janus Through the reign of Marcus Aurelius, 180 CE

Roman Empire

Fall Western Roman Empire “conquered” in 476 CE

Economic deterioration Non-Romans in the army Constant invasions

Borders were too extensive No more land to distribute to veterans Christianity Social mobility

Constantine had moved the capital to Byzantium

Greek and Roman Politics Favored aristocratic rule with elements of

democracy “Citizens” were the minority

The important role of politics is similar to Confucianism Less cohesive than China; smaller bureaucracy

Numerous types of political systems is reflective of Classical India

Classical Mediterranean politics stressed duties of the citizen, ethics, and skills such as oratory

Government allowed the practice of numerous religious faiths as long as loyalty to the state was first

Women had no right of political participation As mothers or wives, some did have influence

Bread and circuses

Political legacies: intense loyalty to the state, preference for aristocratic rule, distaste for monarchy, and the development of a uniform set of legal principles to unite many lands, property law

Religion Greeks and Romans did not create a significant

world religion Complex set of deities regulated human life

Along with India, reflected the common heritage of Indo-European invaders

Practical approach Lessons that illustrated human passions and flaws Modeled few ethical behaviors

The appeal of Christianity Lack of spiritual passion did not satisfy workers,

peasants, and slaves Paganism lacked ethical codes Greek/Roman philosophy highly influenced

Christianity Moral independence, moderation, personal bravery

Culture Philosophy played a large role, especially

among aristocracy Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, etc.

Allegory of the cave Taught the importance of moderation and

balance

Socrates Taught to question conventional wisdom with

logical

Science Geometry, anatomy, engineering

Aqueducts, roads, grand structures

Art Sculpture, architecture, plays, The Iliad, The

Odyssey, The Aeneid

Architecture Doric, Ionic, Corinthian orders The arch Practicality

Economics and Society Most Greeks and Romans were subsistence farmers

Commercial agriculture fueled empire building Large landlords imposed heavy fees/burdens on their farmers Farmers depended on their landlords for protection Olives and grapes became the predominant crops in Italy and Greece

The requirements for these crops allowed landlords even more power

Extensive trade Merchant class made up the second highest social order in Rome

Romans were masters of engineering

Slavery was pervasive

Family was a tight social structure Men in clear control Women better off than in China

Comparison of the Three Classical Civilizations Similarities:

Empire development Agriculture economy Each supported scientific developments Clear social strata

Elites were far separated from the masses

Differences: Social mobility

Least: India; Most: Rome Mediterranean society focused on civic duty Indian society focused on good behavior leading to better

reincarnation Chinese society focused promoted obedience and self-restraint Indian and Chinese culture structures survived longer because

of Christianity’s absence

Greater ConnectionGreeks established a widespread colonial and

trading network Peaked with Alexander, declined rapidly

Romans were much more aware of a greater world Chinese goods traded in Rome Romans only interested in material goods, not

Chinese technology or governance