Ch. 4 Classical Civilizations in the Mediterranean and Middle East Persia Greece Rome
Map of Persia Around 550 BCE
Map Activity
The Persian Empire: A New Perspective in the Middle East Cyrus the Great (550-530) Emerged by 550 BCE and established the massive Persian Empire Was the successor to the Mesopotamian states in the past He allowed some parts of the empire to preserve older traditions (example the use of cuneiform) but he brought changes as well
Persian Politics Tolerance for different languages, cultures, and religions Authoritarian Centralized laws Taxes No wide participation in the govt. Political Styles
Political Styles Infrastructure Major system of roads led to trade Inns, rest stops, and fresh horses First regular postal service Bureaucracy and Military Created measures to control officials, tax systems and spies to ensure officials were loyal
Movie on Xeres 1:37-1:45 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4nd 9yPzc1s
Innovations Distinct painting and architecture style Affected India and the Middle East Coin Money Advanced Iron technology in the Middle East
Founder: Zoroaster (630-550 BCE) Turned the Sumerian polytheistic faith into a monotheistic faith Banned animal sacrifices and drugs Introduced the idea of individual salvation through God Beliefs Saw life as a battle between two divine forces: Good/Evil It was a moral choice which side you were on and would you be judged in the end Righteous would go to House of Song (Heaven) Evil would be condemned to eternal pain Impacted Judaism, Christianity, and Islam New Religion: Zoroastrianism
Fall of the Empire Taken over by Alexander the Great Political and cultural presence still visible in present day Iran http://www.youtube.co m/watch?v=xvrwucf APs0
Wanted Poster Assignment Create a wanted poster for the Persian Empire Must Include a Picture that Represents the Empire, date of birth, last seen Description of the Empire Criminal Record = History and Accomplishments Caution = Negatives about the Empire Reward for Capture
Geography of Greece
Greece: Locations and Places Aegean Sea Balkan and Peloponnesus peninsula, Europe, Asia Minor (Turkey) Mediterranean Sea Black Sea, Dardanelles Athens, Sparta, Troy, Macedonia
Economic and social development Agriculture (limited arable land) Commerce and the spread of Hellenistic culture Shift from barter to money economy (coins)
Political development Mountainous terrain both helped and hindered the development of citystates. Greek cities were designed to promote civic and commercial life. Colonization was prompted by overpopulation and the search for arable land.
Greek Gods
Greek mythology Based on polytheistic religion Offered explanations of natural phenomena, human qualities, and life events Greek gods and goddesses Zeus, Hera, Apollo, Artemis, Athena, Aphrodite Symbols and images in Western literature, art, and architecture
Daily Life
Social structure and citizenship in the Greek polis Citizens (free adult males) had political rights and the responsibility of civic participation in government. Women and foreigners had no political rights. Slaves had no political rights.
Challenging View Points Athens Stages in the evolution of Athenian government: Monarchy, aristocracy/oligarchy, tyranny, democracy Tyrants who worked for reform: Draco, Solon Origin of democratic principles: Direct democracy, public debate, duties of the citizen Sparta Oligarchy (rule by a small group) Rigid social structure Militaristic and aggressive society https://www.youtube.c om/watch?v=ulyw5u YPYYs
Important Battles http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncqn2jtrp4u Importance of Persian Wars (499 449 B.C. [B.C.E.]) Persian wars united Athens and Sparta against the Persian Empire. Athenian victories over the Persians at Marathon and Salamis left Greeks in control of the Aegean Sea. Athens preserved its independence and continued innovations in government and culture.
Important Battles Importance of Peloponnesian War (431 404 B.C. [B.C.E.]) Caused in part by competition for control of the Greek world: Athens and the Delian League versus Sparta and the Peloponnesian League Resulted in slowing of cultural advance and the weakening of political power
Golden Age of Pericles Occurred mostly between the Persian and the Peloponnesian Wars Pericles extended democracy; most adult males had an equal voice. Pericles had Athens rebuilt after destruction in the Persian Wars; the Parthenon is an example
End of Greece Philip II, King of Macedon Conquered most of Greece Alexander the Great Established an empire from Greece to Egypt and the margins of India Extended Greek cultural influences Hellenistic Age Blend of Greek and oriental elements Spread of Hellenistic culture through trade https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bmy3h4ghoa
Contributions of Greek culture to Western civilization Drama: Aeschylus- (525-456 BCE)- Father of Drama/Tragedy Theatre- three tragedies to make one complete story Sophocles-(496-406 BCE)- One of the greatest Greek Playwrights one tragedy to make one complete story Poetry: Homer first and greatest Greek Epic writer Illiad and Odyssey
Types of columns Doric (Parthenon) Ionic Corinthian. Architecture:
Phidias- (490-430 BCE), Greatest Greek Sculpturer Gave rise to the classical style of sculpture Sculpture:
History: Herodotus- the world s first historian, wrote about the Persian War Herodotus of Halicarnassus hereby publishes the results of his inquiries, hoping to do two things: to preserve the memory of the past by putting on record the astonishing achievements both of the Greek and the non-greek peoples; and more particularly, to show how the two races came into conflict. Thucydides-(460-404 BCE)- Another historian wrote about the Peloponnesian War Externally the body was not very hot to the touch, nor pale in its appearance, but reddish, livid, and breaking out into small pustules and ulcers. But internally it burned so that the patient could not bear to have on him clothing or linen even of the very lightest description; or indeed to be otherwise than stark naked. What they would have liked best would have been to throw themselves into cold water; as indeed was done by some of the neglected sick, who plunged into the rain tanks in their agonies of unquenchable thirst; though it made no difference whether they drank little or much. Though many lay unburied, birds and beasts would not touch them, or died after tasting them 1 ".
Science: Archimedes (287-212BCE)- regarded as one of the greatest scientist and mathematicians of our time Hippocrates-(460-370 BCE) Hippocratic Oath
Mathematics: Pythagoras- (500 BCE) described as the first pure mathematician Pythagorean Theory Euclid- (300 BCE)took the ideas of other mathematicians and placed them in one book called The Element and made geometry easier to understand
Philosophy: Socrates- (469-399BCE) Socratic Method Questioning until finding the truth Plato- (429-347 BCE) Student of Socrates, published many of the ideas of Socrates Aristotle- (384-322BCE) Student of Plato and teacher of Alexander Divided learning into disciplines Founder of the Lyceum
Locations and Places Rome: Centrally located in the Mediterranean Basin and distant from eastern Mediterranean powers Italian Peninsula Alps: Protection Mediterranean Sea: Protection, seaborne commerce
Geography How was geographic location important to ancient Rome s political, social, and economic development? Far away from eastern powers & empires On Italian peninsula, with few geographic neighbors/enemies The Alps: mountains provided natural protection Mediterranean Sea: gave protection & allowed trade
Ancient Italy (c. 6 th century B.C.)
Rise of Rome Roman legend of how the Latins created Rome: 2 bros. Romulus & Remes fought over who would control the city they were building Romulus wins & named it after himself (Rome) Real beginning of Rome: Between 800 & 700 BCE, the Latins the first Romans created many villages around what would be Rome Villages eventually decided to form one community, thus creating Rome
600s BCE: Etruscans kings ruled over the Latins in Rome Etruscans did some good things for the Latins: Taught the Latins how to build with brick & tile Drained marshes to create farmland & get rid of mosquitoes Created a Forum in the center of the city a square where all Roman government & law was located
Hypothetical reconstruction of Roman Forum in Imperial times. Watercolor (18th century), Giuseppe Becchetti
Etruscan alphabet adopted by the Romans
Etruscan pottery depicting Odysseus & his men fighting Cyclops
Etruscan architectural plans (ca. 510 BCE)
Roman Religion Roman Republic lasted nearly 500 years During this time, it was heavily influenced by Greek culture The Romans adopted Greek gods and mixed in their own ancient gods
Roman Mythology Based on the Greek polytheistic religion Explanations of natural phenomena, human qualities, and life events Roman gods and goddesses Jupiter, Juno, Apollo, Diana, Minerva, and Venus Symbols and images in literature, art, and architecture
The Roman Republic (509 BCE 27 BCE) 509 BCE: Latins/Romans rejected Etruscan king (monarchy) and established a republic. Power rests with the citizens who have the right to vote for their leaders. In Rome, citizenship with voting rights was granted only to free-born male citizens.
STRUGGLE FOR POWER: CLASS CONFLICT Patricians- wealthy landowners who held most of the power: inherited power and social status Plebeians- (Plebs) common farmers, artisans and merchants who made up the majority of the population: can vote, but can t rule Slaves: Not based on race
Social structure in the Roman Republic Citizenship Patrician and plebeian men Selected foreigners Rights and responsibilities of citizenship (e.g., taxes, military service)
When the patricians set up the Roman Republic, they created 2 branches of govt.: Executive Branch (Consuls) Consuls were 2 patrician officials elected for 1 yr. terms who ran the day-to-day affairs of the city both had to agree on a decision Only one person had veto power over the consuls this was a dictator who was appointed briefly in times of crisis Legislative Branch (Assembly of Centuries & the Senate) Both were controlled by the patricians
Plebeians vs. Patricians Plebs were very upset because they had no power or representation in government 494 BCE: plebeians went on strike, refusing to serve in the military Without the plebeians=no Roman military or workforce The patricians gave into some demands Tribunes (Plebeian representatives) would be elected by the Assembly of Tribes & could veto any government decision
Roman laws had never been written down. The Plebeians want them to be written down to ensure that justice was being applied fairly. THE TWELVE TABLES 451 BCE: officials carved Roman laws on twelve bronze tablets and hung in Forum. Laws confirm right of all free citizens to protection of the law. Become the basis for later Roman law. 287 BCE: The Assembly of Tribes given the right to make laws for the city this move made Rome into a true democracy (government by the people)
Expansion & Crisis The city always faced threats from other people in Italy. As a way of protecting the city, Romans took over other cities or forced others to ally with Rome. By 264 BCE, the city had taken over the Italian Peninsula.
1 st Punic War (264 BCE-241 BCE) Carthage trying to take over the Strait of Messina
2 nd Punic War (218 BCE-202 BCE) Carthage wants revenge. New Carthaginian general who is only 25 years old- Hannibal 218 BCE- Hannibal takes Roman city in Spain Hannibal, an army of 40,000, & 40 elephants attempt to invade Rome by passing through the Alps. ½ his men die Nearly all the elephants die
3 rd Punic War (149 BCE-146 BCE) After 2 nd war, 50 years of peace 149 BCE: Carthage lost fight against one of Rome s allies Rome used this as a reason for war Roman soldiers invaded Carthage Burned the city to the ground Made Carthaginians into slaves Put salt into the soil so no crops would grow
Expansion of Rome Punic Wars: Rome vs. Carthage (264 146 B.C. [B.C.E.]) Rome and Carthage were in competition for trade. Hannibal invaded the Italian Peninsula. Three wars resulted in Roman victory, the destruction of Carthage, and expanded trade and wealth for Rome.
Expansion of Rome Evolution of the Roman Empire and spread of Roman culture Mediterranean basin (Africa, Asia, Europe, including the Hellenistic world of the Eastern Mediterranean) Western Europe (Gaul, British Isles)
Roman Republic in Crisis Ruling such a large area was very difficult for Rome Rome began to face severe political and economic problems To help rule the large land holdings, the Roman government made all of the non- Italian areas into provinces
Roman Republic in Crisis Each province was required to pay tribute to Rome Most of the taxes collected never reached Rome, but stayed in the pockets of the tax collectors The people knew their money was being stolen The people began to rebel
Roman Republic in Crisis Many poor farmers flocked to the city of Rome because of The low cost of food The free entertainment A hope of finding a job Unfortunately, the slaves did all the work in the city The poor farmers were left unemployed and living off the Roman government
Death of the Roman Republic Causes for the decline of the Roman Republic Spread of slavery in the agricultural system Migration of small farmers into cities and unemployment Civil war over the power of Julius Caesar Devaluation of Roman currency; inflation
Death of the Roman Republic First triumvirate Julius Caesar: Seizure of power, assassination Augustus Caesar: Civil war, defeat of Marc Anthony, Rome s first emperor Empire: Unified and enlarged, using imperial authority and the military Failure to provide for peaceful succession of Emperors
1 st Emperor 1. Augustus (Octavian): (27 BCE-14 CE) Rebuilt the city of Rome Great patron of the arts Imported grain from N. Africa to feed more people Constructed new roads & repaired old ones Under Augustus--- Pax Romana begins
The Pax Romana 27 BCE-180 CE Two centuries of peace and prosperity under imperial rule Expansion and solidification of the Roman Empire, particularly in the Near East Economic impact of the Pax Romana Established uniform system of money, which helped to expand trade Guaranteed safe travel and trade on Roman roads Promoted prosperity and stability
The Pax Romana 27 BCE-180 CE Social impact of the Pax Romana Returned stability to social classes Increased emphasis on the family Political impact of the Pax Romana Created a civil service Developed a uniform rule of law
The Pax Romana saw the rise of Christianity Origins of Christianity Had its roots in Judaism Was led by Jesus of Nazareth, who was proclaimed the Messiah Conflicted with polytheistic beliefs of Roman Empire
Beliefs, traditions, and customs of Christianity Monotheism Jesus as both Son and incarnation of God Life after death New Testament, containing accounts of the life and teachings of Jesus, as well as writings of early Christians Christian doctrines established by early church councils
Spread of Christianity Popularity of the message Early martyrs inspired others Carried by the Apostles, including Paul, throughout the Roman Empire
Impact of the Church of Rome in the late Roman Empire The Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity and made it legal. Christianity later became the official state religion. The Church became a source of moral authority. Loyalty to the Church became more important than loyalty to the Emperor. The Church became the main unifying force of Western Europe.
Contributions of Classical Rome Art and architecture: Pantheon: Temple to the gods of ancient Rome Coliseum: Here, people could watch gladiators fight against each other or wild animals to the death Forum: a center of political and social activity. The Forum was the marketplace of Rome and also the business district and civic center. It was expanded to include temples, a senate house and law courts.
Pantheon
Coliseum
The Forum
Technology: Roads: Used for trade and moving the military Aqueducts: Artificial channels for carrying water (some brought water from 60 miles away) Roman arches/domes
Roman Roads
Aquaducts
Arches/Domes
Achievements of Ptolemy Geocentric Solar System Science:
Medicine: Emphasis on public health (public baths, public water systems, medical schools)
Language: The Roman people spoke Latin. Latin had less letters/symbols than Greek. Some Latin words had multiple meanings It was the common language of Europe up until the 1500s CE. Basis for the Romance languages. French, Spanish, Italian, & Portuguese
Literature: Virgil s Aeneid- is modeled after Homer s Odyssey and Iliad It is the story Aeneid and his journey back home after becoming a Trojan refugee.
Roman mythology; adoption of Christianity as the imperial religion Religion:
Law: The principle of innocent until proven guilty (from the Twelve Tables)
Causes for the decline of the Western Roman Empire Geographic size: Difficulty of defense and gov. Economy: The cost of defense, and devaluation of Roman currency Military: Army membership started to include non-romans, resulting in decline of discipline Moral decay: People s loss of faith in Rome and the family Political problems: Civil conflict and weak gov. Invasion: Attacks on borders by Germanic barbarians
Division of the Roman Empire Move of the capital by Constantine from Rome to Byzantium, renaming it Constantinople Survival of the Western Roman Empire until 476 A.D. (C.E.), when it ceased to have a Roman Emperor Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire)
Map of the Division of the Roman Empire