THE END OF THE THE END OF THE CLASSICAL ERACLASSICAL ERA

A REVIEWA REVIEW

The three great classical The three great classical civilizations, Rome, Han civilizations, Rome, Han China, and Gupta India either China, and Gupta India either collapsed or declined.collapsed or declined.

All three suffered from All three suffered from invasions by nomads from invasions by nomads from Asia who took advantage of Asia who took advantage of internal imperial weakness.internal imperial weakness.

Rome also endured invasions Rome also endured invasions by Germanic tribesby Germanic tribes

The western portion of the The western portion of the Roman Empire lost more of Roman Empire lost more of its earlier achievements than its earlier achievements than other civilizations.other civilizations.

The general collapse forms a The general collapse forms a significant break in world significant break in world historyhistory

Many components of classical Many components of classical achievement survived the achievement survived the period of decline, and new period of decline, and new forms appeared as civilizations forms appeared as civilizations altered to meet the changes.altered to meet the changes.

New periods in history are New periods in history are infrequent; they must be infrequent; they must be defined carefullydefined carefully

At the close of the Classical At the close of the Classical Period the decline of empires Period the decline of empires and the rise of religions and the rise of religions marks a new periodization.marks a new periodization.

Three shifts, or changes, Three shifts, or changes, must occur to mark a new must occur to mark a new period in world history.period in world history.

#1#1

Some civilizations will Some civilizations will divide in new ways, divide in new ways, altering the world map:altering the world map: Cultural and political Cultural and political boundaries shifted in India boundaries shifted in India and the Mediterranean and the Mediterranean world.world.

#2#2

Different kinds of contacts Different kinds of contacts must be established must be established among civilization areas:among civilization areas: Buddhism, Christianity, and Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam spread quickly.Islam spread quickly.

#3#3

New parallels must arise New parallels must arise in the patterns displayed in the patterns displayed by major civilizations:by major civilizations: The Islamic world replaced The Islamic world replaced India as the most expansive India as the most expansive civilization.civilization.

The major world religions, The major world religions, Christianity, Buddhism, and Christianity, Buddhism, and Islam, rose or expanded as Islam, rose or expanded as the great empires declined.the great empires declined.

UPHEAVALS IN EASTERN AND UPHEAVALS IN EASTERN AND SOUTHERN ASIASOUTHERN ASIA

The key transition in Asian The key transition in Asian civilizations came with the civilizations came with the decline of the Han in China, decline of the Han in China, the Gupta in India, and the Gupta in India, and nomadic pressures.nomadic pressures.

DECLINE AND FALL IN HAN DECLINE AND FALL IN HAN CHINACHINA

The Han Dynasty appeared to The Han Dynasty appeared to recover vitality during the 2recover vitality during the 2ndnd century C.E.century C.E.

However, poor rulers and However, poor rulers and popular unrest fueled by popular unrest fueled by landlord exploitation landlord exploitation culminated in revolution. culminated in revolution.

Daoist leaders, the Yellow Daoist leaders, the Yellow Turbans, began a period of Turbans, began a period of disorder ending with the fall disorder ending with the fall of the Han in 220 C.E.of the Han in 220 C.E.

China split into three unstable China split into three unstable kingdomskingdoms

The landowning class The landowning class operated beyond government operated beyond government control.control.

There were no firm dynasties There were no firm dynasties for 350 years for 350 years

The instability turned The instability turned interest toward the spiritual interest toward the spiritual calm and order of Buddhismcalm and order of Buddhism

Brought from India by Brought from India by merchants and missionaries, merchants and missionaries, Buddhism overcame Daoist Buddhism overcame Daoist attacks and spread attacks and spread throughout China by the 5throughout China by the 5thth century.century.

In the process, Chinese cultural values, including the

subordination of women, were

incorporated into Buddhism

The growing influence of The growing influence of Buddhism influenced Buddhism influenced Daoists…Daoists… They formalized their They formalized their religionreligion

Adopted beliefs about Adopted beliefs about achieving immortality achieving immortality through good worksthrough good works

Political revival occurred at the Political revival occurred at the end of the 6end of the 6thth century when the century when the Sui Dynasty reunited China.Sui Dynasty reunited China.

They collapsed in 618 and were They collapsed in 618 and were replaced by the Tangreplaced by the Tang

During these troubled years old During these troubled years old values survived and China values survived and China retained greater homogeneity retained greater homogeneity than other civilizations.than other civilizations.

DECLINE IN INDIADECLINE IN INDIA

Chandragupta Chandragupta II brought the II brought the Gupta Gupta Dynasty to Dynasty to the high point the high point of its rule in of its rule in the early 5the early 5thth century.century.

Under his successors the Under his successors the decentralized Gupta could decentralized Gupta could not repel Hun invasionsnot repel Hun invasions

By 500 the Huns controlled By 500 the Huns controlled northwestern Indianorthwestern India

The Gupta collapsed in 550The Gupta collapsed in 550

Despite the attempts of Despite the attempts of Gupta descendants to rebuild Gupta descendants to rebuild the dynasty, India divided the dynasty, India divided into regional dynasties ruled into regional dynasties ruled by princes called by princes called rajputrajput

Buddhism declined in favor Buddhism declined in favor of Hinduismof Hinduism

Worship of the Worship of the mother goddess mother goddess Devi spread Devi spread widely.widely.

The caste system The caste system strengthened, assimilating strengthened, assimilating invaders, and extending invaders, and extending through southern Indiathrough southern India

The economy flourished, with The economy flourished, with new trade links opening new trade links opening southern India and southeast southern India and southeast Asia.Asia.

An important threat to Indian cultural continuity came from the

7th century expansion of Islam as Muslim

invaders entered northwest India and won converts.

By the 8th century, Arab traders gained control of Indian commerce.

THE DECLINE OF ROMETHE DECLINE OF ROME

The decline of Rome was The decline of Rome was much more disruptive than much more disruptive than the fall of the Gupta and Hanthe fall of the Gupta and Han

For many reasons, the For many reasons, the Roman Empire was in decline Roman Empire was in decline from the late 2from the late 2ndnd century C.E. century C.E.

REASONSREASONS

A shrinking population A shrinking population hindered army recruitinghindered army recruiting

Emperors had less abilityEmperors had less ability Disputes over succession led Disputes over succession led

to continual army interventionto continual army intervention Tax revenues fell during hard Tax revenues fell during hard

economic times.economic times.

REASONS (continued)REASONS (continued)

Pervasive despondency meant a Pervasive despondency meant a loss of meaning in lifeloss of meaning in life

Expansion ended in 180, thus Expansion ended in 180, thus closing a source of slave laborclosing a source of slave labor

The economic system lost vitalityThe economic system lost vitality Environmental deterioration Environmental deterioration

diminished grain importsdiminished grain imports Plague was recurringPlague was recurring

REASONS (continued)REASONS (continued)

Germanic soldiers had to be Germanic soldiers had to be hired to protect the frontiers… hired to protect the frontiers… from Germanic tribes!from Germanic tribes!

In the midst of these problems In the midst of these problems Rome’s upper classes turned Rome’s upper classes turned from political service to pleasure from political service to pleasure seeking livesseeking lives

Cultural activity, except for Cultural activity, except for works by Christian writers, works by Christian writers, decayed. decayed.

As cultural authority declined, As cultural authority declined, farmers seeking protection, farmers seeking protection, clustered around large landlordsclustered around large landlords

Political decentralization was Political decentralization was most pronounced in the western most pronounced in the western empireempire

Political power passed to Political power passed to landlords and the economy landlords and the economy contracted. contracted.

Tax revenues declined, cities Tax revenues declined, cities fell in size and trade declinedfell in size and trade declined

Some emperors tried to Some emperors tried to restore central authority.restore central authority.

Diocletian (r 284-Diocletian (r 284-305) improved 305) improved administration administration and tax and tax collecting, and collecting, and increased increased controls on the controls on the economy.economy.

Constantine (r Constantine (r 312-337) 312-337) established a established a second capital at second capital at Constantinople Constantinople and accepted and accepted Christianity.Christianity.

The measures did not restore The measures did not restore vitality to the empire as a vitality to the empire as a wholewhole

The eastern half flourished, The eastern half flourished, the western half did notthe western half did not

Economic regulation curbed Economic regulation curbed initiative and lowered initiative and lowered production.production.

Many overburdened peasants Many overburdened peasants welcomed the changes welcomed the changes brought by the Germanic brought by the Germanic invasionsinvasions

The last Roman emperor was The last Roman emperor was removed in 476.removed in 476.

RESULTS OF THE FALL OF RESULTS OF THE FALL OF ROMEROME

Rome’s collapse ended Rome’s collapse ended Mediterranean unityMediterranean unity

Three Zones emerged, each Three Zones emerged, each would later produce distinct would later produce distinct civilizations.civilizations.

ZONE 1ZONE 1

The northeastern part of the The northeastern part of the Roman Empire did not fallRoman Empire did not fall

The vibrant, artistically The vibrant, artistically creative and commercially creative and commercially active Byzantine Empire active Byzantine Empire incorporated Hellenistic and incorporated Hellenistic and Roman patterns.Roman patterns.

ZONE 2ZONE 2 North Africa and the shores of North Africa and the shores of

the southeastern Mediterranean the southeastern Mediterranean suffered serious disruptionsuffered serious disruption

Temporary regional kingdoms Temporary regional kingdoms emergedemerged

Although Christianity spread, Although Christianity spread, differing interpretations split its differing interpretations split its unityunity

Eventually, North Africa would Eventually, North Africa would fall to Islam.fall to Islam.

ZONE 3ZONE 3

In the 3In the 3rdrd zone, the western and zone, the western and northern portions of the empire, northern portions of the empire, the level of civilization declinedthe level of civilization declined

Regional Germanic kingdoms Regional Germanic kingdoms appearedappeared

The only vital force was The only vital force was Christianity, but it was not able Christianity, but it was not able to prevent the decline of to prevent the decline of civilizationcivilization

DEVELOPMENT AND SPREAD DEVELOPMENT AND SPREAD OF WORLD RELIGIONSOF WORLD RELIGIONS

Buddhism, Christianity, and Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam became the only Islam became the only religions spreading far religions spreading far beyond a single regionbeyond a single region

Hinduism and Daoism, Hinduism and Daoism, remained regional religions, remained regional religions, but gained new followersbut gained new followers

CHRISTIANITY AND CHRISTIANITY AND BUDDHISM COMPAREDBUDDHISM COMPARED

SIMILARITIESSIMILARITIES

Both religions stressed Both religions stressed otherworldliness; the otherworldliness; the possibility of an afterlifepossibility of an afterlife

Both produced important Both produced important monastic movementsmonastic movements

Chinese Buddhism, called Chinese Buddhism, called Mahayana, emphasized Mahayana, emphasized Buddha as a savior god Buddha as a savior god similar to Christ.similar to Christ.

SIMILARITIES (continued)SIMILARITIES (continued)

Each religion accepted the Each religion accepted the role for holy men – among role for holy men – among Buddhists called Buddhists called bodhisattvas – aiding bodhisattvas – aiding believers in gaining holiness.believers in gaining holiness.

DIFFERENCESDIFFERENCES

Christianity, the heir to Christianity, the heir to Mediterranean religions and Mediterranean religions and Roman traditions, emphasized:Roman traditions, emphasized: Church organizationChurch organization Gave more value to missionary Gave more value to missionary

activityactivity Claimed possession of exclusive truthClaimed possession of exclusive truth Christianity began as a Jewish reform Christianity began as a Jewish reform

movement only gradually turning to movement only gradually turning to missionary activity.missionary activity.

DIFFERENCES (continued)DIFFERENCES (continued)

Christianity believed that Christianity believed that there was a single god who there was a single god who loved humanityloved humanity

A virtuous life would be A virtuous life would be devoted to his worshipdevoted to his worship

Under Paul, Christianity Under Paul, Christianity became a separate religion became a separate religion open to all.open to all.

Despite competition from Despite competition from Eastern mystery religions and Eastern mystery religions and government persecution, government persecution, Christianity won over 10% of Christianity won over 10% of the Roman Empires the Roman Empires population.population.

There were doctrinal There were doctrinal controversies during the time controversies during the time of Constantine.of Constantine.

The Council of Nicea in 325, The Council of Nicea in 325, demonstrated the importance of demonstrated the importance of unified doctrine to Christianityunified doctrine to Christianity

It ruled in favor of the Nicene It ruled in favor of the Nicene CreedCreed

This interpretation holds that one This interpretation holds that one Christian god had three personasChristian god had three personas

This belief was called This belief was called transubstantiationtransubstantiation

Shortly Shortly afterwards, Pope afterwards, Pope Leo I clearly Leo I clearly established the established the papacy as the papacy as the supreme supreme religious religious authority in authority in western Europe.western Europe.

Christianity continued to appeal to all classes,

especially the poor and women.

Christianity promoted a new Christianity promoted a new culture different from that of the culture different from that of the classical world by its beliefs in classical world by its beliefs in spiritual quality and spiritual quality and otherworldly emphasis.otherworldly emphasis.

The state was accepted but The state was accepted but made secondary to religion made secondary to religion

Greater emphasis was awarded Greater emphasis was awarded to disciplined workto disciplined work

Classical values retained were:Classical values retained were: Philosophical themesPhilosophical themes Architectural stylesArchitectural styles Latin language in the westLatin language in the west Greek language in the eastGreek language in the east Monastic libraries preserved Monastic libraries preserved

classical literatureclassical literature

The world religions, a new The world religions, a new force in world history, force in world history, provoked beliefs that provoked beliefs that transcended political transcended political entities.entities.

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

By 600, the major civilizations had By 600, the major civilizations had altered in permanent waysaltered in permanent ways

China maintained political cohesion; China maintained political cohesion; along with India it preserved much along with India it preserved much cultural cohesion as well.cultural cohesion as well.

In contrast, the Roman Empire In contrast, the Roman Empire disintegrated and successor disintegrated and successor civilizations did not restore civilizations did not restore geographical unity or a unified geographical unity or a unified classical culture.classical culture.

Nomadic invaders toppled Nomadic invaders toppled empires and spread new empires and spread new ideas and techniquesideas and techniques

Missionaries brought Missionaries brought Buddhism, Christianity, and, Buddhism, Christianity, and, as you will see, Islam into as you will see, Islam into new regions.new regions.