Classical Civilizations Flashcards
common features of classical civilizations?
patriarchal family structures, agriculture-based economies, complex governments, expanding trade base
Greece
800 - 300 BCE
most enduring influences from athens:
valued education and human power, interest in political theory, celebration oh humans
government?
no centraized government - fortified state that formed the centers of city states
governing styles?
sparta = military state, athens = democracy for adult males
what was government rule like?
athenian gov’t dominatd by tyrants or strong rulers who gained power from military prowess
labor system?
slavery
women and slaves?
little freedom and neither group could participate in political affairs
rome dates?
about 500 BCE - 476 CE, but eastern hald continued for another 1000 yrs
religion?
polytheism derived from greeks - not important to most people
military policy
conquer but don’t oppress, division of army into legions, emphasized organization and military talent
Culture
art, philosophy, science, literature derived from Greece
Engineering and architecture:
superb techniques, monumental architecture, roads, sanitation systems, buildings, aqueducts, bridges
era of republic:
rule by aristocrats, power shared with assemblies, powerful senate and consuls
era of empire:
non-hereditary emperor (usually chosen by senate), extensive colonization and military conquest
social division
between aristocrats and farmers, middle class fo merchants developed
economy:
wealth based on land ownership, gap between rich and poor
families:
male-dominated
labor system:
all kinds of manual labor, and slavery
Dominant Religion in India and minor religion in India
Hinduism and Buddhism
Vedas
Religious stories written down by Aryans
Religion of the Mauryans
Buddhism
Religion of the Guptas
Hinduism
Great Epic Literature
Ramayana and Mahabarata
Mathematical advancements
10 based system
Trade Routes used
Indian Ocean and Silk Road
Remember these people coined money for trade
Political Organization of Classical India
Lack of Political Unity due to geographic barriers and diversity of people. Small Kingdoms and political authority less important than caste membership and group allegiances
Chandragupta Maurya
Founder of the Maurya Dynasty
Maurya Dynasty Dates
323 BCE-185 BCE
Mauryan Empire and Gupta dynasty were formed on what basis
formed on military Congrest
Ashoka
Mauryan Emperor who helped spread Buddhism in India
Theater State
techniques used during the Gupta dynasty where they created grand palaces and courts to impress visitors and hide political weaknesses
Capital city of Mauryan Empire
Pataliputra
Mauryan Government contained
an efficient but harsh bureaucracy, a powerful army, an organization of secret police
Empire was split into
provinces, districts, and villages. These places had state-appointed rulers and a hierarchical court system that led all the way up to the emperor
