Mesopotamia
Political: City-states with god-kings
Economic: Agricultural with
unpredictable flood patterns from
the Tigris and Euphrates
Achievements: Wheel, Plow, sail; Code
of Hammurabi
Religion: Polytheism; Gloomy
afterlife between Earth’s Crust;
Temple is Ziggurat
Writing: Cuneiform
Phoenicians:
Sea-faring traders;
settle along coast;
Phonetic alphabet
Indus River Valley
Ancient Egypt
Political: Theocracy; 3 Kingdoms;
Dynasties
Economic: Agricultural with VERY
predictable flood patterns from
the Nile; conquer nubia
Achievements: Hieroglyphics,
pyramids and other tombs
Religion: Polytheism; Pharaoh is a
god on Earth
Writing: Hieroglyphics
Persian Empire
Tolerance of
Conquered peoples;
imperial
bureaucracy; Royal
road system
Ancient China
Political: Uknown until Mauryan
and Gupta Empires; Harappa &
Monhenjo-daro
Political: Feudalism, Dynasties (Shang,
Zhou, Qin, Han), Empires; Shi huangdi
(terracotta soldiers)
Economic: Agricultural unpredictable flooding from the
Indus River; Barriers from Hindu
Kush Mountains; caste system from
Aryan Migration
Economic: Agricultural with
unpredictable flood patterns from
the huang he River
Achievements: Arabic Numerals
(eventually); zero; Profit off of silk
roads; medical achievements; round
earth
Religion: Hinduism and Buddhism
(Asoka)
Writing: Has not been translated
Achievements: Silk, gun powder,
paper; civil service
Religion: Polytheism (Shang di) 
Buddhism
Writing: pictographs (not language
based)
Philosophies: Confucianism
(ancestors); Daoism; Legalism (strict)
Judaism
Christianity
Founder: Abraham in the Covenant
with Yahweh (God)
Founder: Jesus of Nazareth
(believed to be the Messiah) in
Judea in Ancient Rome
Beliefs: monotheism, “Chosen
People”
Beliefs: monotheism, origins in
Judaism; Jesus is son and
incarnation of God; Afterlife
Settled: Between the Mediterranean
and Jordan River Valley (Canaan,
Judea); Jerusalem
Scriptures: New Testament (life
and teachings of Jesus)
Scriptures: Torah (Old Testament)
and the Ten Commandments
Spread: popularity of message,
early martyrs, carried by apostles
(Peter and including Paul) through
Roman Empire
Spread:Exile and Diaspora
Islam
Founder: Muhammad, the Prophet
Beliefs: monotheism, Allah (Arabic for God); Five Pillars of Islam;
Acceptance of Judeo-Christian prophets (Moses and Jesus); worship at a
mosque
Settled: Starts in the Arabian deserts (Mecca and Medina); Across Asia and
Africa and into Spain; Geographic extent of 1st Muslim Empire
Scriptures: Qur’an (Koran)
Major Historical Points: Political Unity short-lived (Sunni-Shia split after
death of Ali); Conquests of Jerusalem and Damascus; Capital moved to
Baghdad; Fall of Baghdad to the Mongols
Spread: Across Asia and Africa and into Spain; Fertile Crescent, Iran,
Central Asia Geographic extent of 1st Muslim Empire; language spread with
Islam; Expansion stops with the Battle of Tours
Hinduism
Buddhism
NO FOUNDER
Founder: Siddhartha Gautama
Beliefs: Monotheisic Polytheism (many forms of 1
god); Reincarnation; karma; goal is moksha
Beliefs: Four Noble Truths; Eightfold Path to
Enlightenment
Scriptures: Vedas and Upanishads
Spread: Along trade routes in INDIA to China and
East Asia; Asoka’s Edicts and missionaries
Spread: Along trade routes in INDIA
**rejects the caste system**
** strengthens the caste system**
Zoroastrianism
Shinto
Founder: Zoroaster
Ethnic religion unique to Japan
Beliefs: 2 opposing forces battling for a soul…
Afterlife is either a paradise or a fiery pit
Importance of natural features, balance of nature
State religion- worship of Emperor
**Official Religion of the Persian Empire
Blended with Buddhism in Japan
3 Chinese Philosophies
Confucianism: Humans are good, not bad; Respect for elders; Code of politeness, ancestor worship;
emphasis on education (Practiced in the Han Dynasty)
Daoism: Humility; simplicity in life and inner peace; harmony with nature
Legalism: Strict rules and punishments (Practiced by the Qin Dynasty)
Greek Mythology:
Development:
Socio-EconomicAgriculture (limited arable land)
Shift from barter to money
economy (coins)
Political-
-
-
-
Mountainous terrain both helped
and hindered the development of
city-states.
Greek cities were designed to
promote civic and commercial life.
Colonization was prompted by
overpopulation and the search for
arable land.
Polytheistic; explains natural
phenomena
Zeus- King of Gods; sky
Hera- Queen; marriage
Apollo- sun, music, poetry
Artemis- Moon and Hunt
Aphrodite- Love, Beauty
Athena- Wisdom, crafts
Athens
POLIS = Greek City state
Men: political rights and
responsibilities & expected to
participate in government
Monarchy  Oligarchy (Aristocracy) Tyranny (Draco and Solon)
Democracy
Women, slaves, & foreigners had
NO political rights.
Emphasis on art, literature, philosophy
Origins of Democracy: direct democracy, public debate, rights of citizens
Sparta
Persian Wars 499-449 BC:
Athen + Sparta
VS
Oligarchy, militaristic, aggressive society
Persian Empire
Rigid social structure
Battles: Marathon &
Women had more rights than Athenian women
Salamis (A wins) leave
Greeks in control of
Drama:
Doric
Aeschylus- “Father of Tragedy”
Sophocles- Oedipus Rex
Mediterranean
Poetry:
Spartans fight & lose at
History:
Homer- The Iliad & The Odyssey
Thermopylae
Launches Athens Golden
Age
Peloponnesian War 431-404 BCE
Athens (Delian League) v. Sparta
(Peloponnesian League)
Sparta wins, but Greece is weaker
overall!
Herdotus- “Father of History”
Thucydides- Wrote history of the Peloponnesian War
Sculptor:
Phidias- statue of Athena in the Parthenon
Science:
Archimedes- principle of a lever
Hippocrates- “Father of modern medicine”
Math:
Euclid- Father of Geometry
Pythagoras- Pythagorean Theorem
Philosophy:
Socrates- put on trial for corrupting Athens youth
Plato- The Republic & The Academy
Aristotle- Tutored Alexander the Great
Ionic
Corinthian
Alexander the Great
Philip II, King of Macedon (Alexander’s father)conquered most of Greece
Alexander the Great
-
Hellenistic Age
-
-
Blend of Greek, Indian, and Egyptian
culture
Spread through trade (Alexandria)
I will call it
“ALEXANDRIA”
Established an
empire from Greece
to Egypt to India
Extended Greek
cultural influences
Launched the
Hellenistic Age
Roman Mythology
-
Based on Greek Mythology
Explains natural phenomena, human qualities, and life
events
Jupiter (Zeus)– God of Sky, King of gods
Juno (Hera)- Queen of gods, Goddess of marriage
Apollo (Apollo)- God of sun, music, poetry
Diana (Artemis)- Goddess of the moon and the hunt
Minerva (Athena)- Goddess of wisdom
Punic Wars 264-146 BCE
3 Wars
Rome v. Carthage (North Africa)
Started: Rome and Carthage
competed for trade
Results: Rome wins! Carthage
destroyed. Rome’s trade network and
wealth expands
Roman Expansion: Mediterranean
basin(Africa, Asia, Europe and
Hellenistic world); Western Europe
(Gaul and British Isles)
Venus (Aphrodite)- Goddess of love and beauty
Roman Republic
Republic: a form of gov’t in which power
Rests in the hands of citizens who vote
And select their leaders
Citizenship: patricians and plebs,
Some foreigners
Rights/ Duties: Taxes, military service
Features of democracy: representative democracy, assemblies,
the Senate, consuls (1 year terms)
***Laws codified in the Twelve Tables***
Causes for Decline of the
Roman Republic
1. Spread of slavery in
agricultural system
2. Vast unemployment and
migration of workers to
cities
3. Civil War over Julius Caesar
4. Devaluation of Roman
currency (Inflation)
Julius Caesar and 1st Triumvirate
1st triumvirate (group of 3 rulers): Julius Caesar, Pompey,
and Crassus
Julius Caesar seizes power after a war with Pompey and
become dictator for life
March 15, 44 BCE (Ides of March): Senators stab Caesar to
death
Augustus Caesar
2nd Triumvirate: Octavian, Mark
Antony, and Lepidus
Octavian and Antony fight in civil war
Pax Romana
200 years of peace and prosperity
under imperial rule
Expansion and solidification of the
Roman Empire (Near East
especially)
Economic Impact: uniform $ system;
safe travel on Roman roads;
promoted prosperity and stability
Social Impact: returned stability to
the social classes; emphasis on the
family
Octavian become Rome’s 1st
EMPEROR and changes his name to
AUGUSTUS launching the PAX
ROMANA
Empire becomes unified and enlarged
due to imperial authority and the
military
***However, failed to provide a way
for peaceful succession of
emperors***
Impact of Christianity on Roman Empire
Political Impact: civil service;
uniform code of law
-
Emperor Constantine  converts and makes it LEGAL
Later made into OFFICIAL STATE RELIGION OF ROME
Church  Source of moral authority
Loyalty to the Church > Loyalty to the Emperor
Church becomes main unifying force in Western Europe
Causes for the Decline of Rome
-
Size: too big and difficult to defend or administrate
-
Economy: cost of defense, INFLATION
-
Military: constant civil war, army made up of non-
Division of the Roman Empire
(Diocletian)
-
Move capital (Constantine) from
Rome to Byzantium (Eastern
Empire) and called it
Constantinople
-
Western Empire collapsed in 476 CE
when there is no longer an Emperor
-
Eastern Empire continues as the
Byzantine Empire
Romans (mercenaries), decline in discipline
-
Moral decay: loss of faith in Rome and the family
-
Political Problems: civil conflict (constant civil
war) and very weak rulers (the “BAD” emperors)
-
Invasions: Attacks on the borders from the
Germanic tribes being pushed in by the Hun
Contributions of Ancient Rome
Architecture: Pantheon, Colosseum, the Forum
Technology: Roman Roads, Aqueducts, Roman Arches
Science: Achievements of Ptolemy
Medicine: Emphasis on public health (public baths, public water systems, medical schools)
Language: Latin  Romance languages (Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian)
Literature: Virgil’s Aeneid
Law: Principle of “innocent until proven guilty” (from the Twelve Tables)
Byzantine Empire – Rome Part II
Importance of
Constantinople
Location: Protected on Eastern
frontier; Distance from Germanic
invasions; crossroads of trade;
easily fortified on a peninsula
bordered by natural harbors
Role: Seat (capital) of Byzantine
Empire until taken over by
Ottoman Turks; Preserved GrecoRoman culture; Center of trade
Emperor Justinian
-
Codified Roman law (Justinian’s Code)  impacts European
legal codes
Re-conquers former Roman territories
Expands trade
Byzantine Achievements
Byzantine Culture
Inspired by Christianity and
imperial power
Continues Greco-Roman
traditions
Icons (religious images)
Greek language (Latin
in West)
Mosaics in public and
religious structures
Hagia Sophia
Greek Orthodox
Christianity
Greek and Roman
knowledge preserved in
libraries
Western Church
(Roman Catholic)
Eastern Church (Greek
Orthodox)
Centered in Rome
Centered in
Constantinople
Farther from seat of
power
Latin used in liturgy
Pope is authority
Priests take vow of
celibacy
Close to seat of power
when capital moved
Use Greek in liturgy
Patriarch is authority
(answers to Emperor)
Schism in the Christian Church
Achievement of Islamic Empire
Russia (Rome Part III)
-
Influenced by Byzantines
-
Architecture: Dome of the Rock
-
Trade with Byzantines between Black
Sea and Baltic Sea
-
Mosaics
-
Arabic alphabet
-
Universities
-
Translated ancient texts into Arabic
-
Adopted Eastern Orthodox Christianity
-
Adopted Greek alphabet for Slavic
languages created by St. Cyril
-
Church architecture and religious art
similar to Byzantines
-
Arabic numerals
-
Algebra
Ivan III shifts power to Moscow, marries
last Byzantine Emperor’s daughter, and
Russia released from Mongol occupation
-
Medicine
-
Geographic knowledge
-
Major Trade Routes
Silk Roads – Asia to Mediterranean
Sea Routes across the Indian Ocean
Trans-Saharan routes across North
Africa
Northern Europe through Black Sea
Western Europe sea and river trade
South China Sea and SE Asia
Trade
From West Africa: Gold,
Islam spread into West
Africa
Indian Ocean: spices,
textiles, new crops (sugar),
lateen sails, Hinduism and
Buddhism spread to SE Asia
China: Paper money,
compass, paper, silk,
textiles, porcelain,
Buddhism spreads to China
onto Japan
Middle East: textiles,
porcelain, waterwheels,
windmills
Baltic Region: Amber
Japan
-
Mountainous
archipelago
Close to China and
Korea
Influenced by Chinese
writing, architecture
and Buddhism
Africa:
East Africa: Aksum (Axum) around modern
Ethiopia; Christian kingdom
Zimbabwe: “Great Zimbabwe” on Zambezi and
Limpopo Rivers
West Africa: Ghana, Mali, Songhai; Important
for gold and salt trade across Sahara; Timbuktu
center of trade and learning; animism to Islam
Americas
Maya: in Mexico and Central
America; Chichen Itza; citystates ruled by kings;
agriculture and trade;
polytheistic religion; built
pyramids; Calendar and math!
Aztec: Central Mexico;
Tenochtitlan; Emperor;
Agriculture and tribute;
polytheistic w/ pyramid and
human sacrifice; Calendar
Inca: Andes of S. America;
Machu Picchu; Emperor; highaltitude agriculture;
polytheism; roads system;
Writing and quipus
(accounting)
Influence of the Roman Catholic Church
Foundations of Middle
Ages
-
Classical heritage
of Rome
-
Christian beliefs
-
Customs of
Germanic tribes
-
Pope crowned Charlemagne
Holy Roman Emperor
Power of Church established
in political life
Roman culture reinterpreted
Areas of Settlement of Germanic Peoples
France
-
Charlemagne
-
Capet starts Capetian
dynasty, moves throne
to Paris and expands
control in France
-
Hundred Years’ War
define France as a
nation
-
Joan of Arc was a
unifying factor in the
war
people exchange
land and other
services for
protection
(land grants) to
vassals/ knights in
Angles and Saxons  England
exchange for
Magyars  Hungary
loyalty and
protection. Serfs
Vikings  Russia
Influence: manors, castles, etc. provided protection
from invaders which reinforced the feudal system.
Invasions also disrupted trade. Cities declined. Europe
became more rural  strengthening the feudal system.
work on and are
tied to the land.
They are born into
these roles and will
remain in that role
Majority of Western Europe
in this Empire
Churches, roads and schools
built to unite empire
system where
Lords give fiefs
Age of Charlemagne
Franks emerged as a force
in Western Europe.
Secular authority declined while Church authority
GREW
Monasteries preserved Greco-Roman achievements
Missionaries brought Christian alphabet to Germanic
tribes
Pope anointed Charlemagne “Holy Roman Emperor”
Priests served religious and social needs of the people
Feudalism: political
England
-
their ENTIRE
William the Conqueror (Norman) united most of
England
Magna
Carta
-
Common law starts during Henry II
-
King John signs Magna Carta – limits king’s powers
-
Hundred Years’ War helps define England as a nation
The Crusades
Key Events: Pope Urban II speech starts the “Holy Way”;
Captured Jerusalem in 1st and 3rd Crusade; Founding of
Crusader states (Jerusalem divided into 4); Lose Jerusalem to
Saladin; Sacking of Constantinople by WESTERN CRUSADERS
Effects: Weakens Pope and nobles; strengthens monarchs;
stimulated trade through Mediterranean and Europe; Legacy
of bitterness between Jews, Muslims, and Christians;
weakened the Byzantines
Mongol Armies: Invaded Russia, China and Muslim states in
SW Asia. Built an empire
Constantinople falls to the Ottoman Turks in 1453, and the
Byzantine Empire collapsed. Becomes capital (Istanbul).
LIFE.
Manorialism/
Manor System is
the ECONOMIC
side of this
arrangement.
Manors are selfsufficient.
Spain
Ferdinand and
Isabella unify
Spain and expel
Moors and Jews
Spanish Empire
in the New World
expands under
Charles V.
End of the Middle Ages
Results of the Plague
Among the few who could read and write
Decline in population
-
Worked in monasteries
-
Scarcity of labor
-
Translated Greek and Arabic works in Latin
-
Towns freed from feudal
obligations
-
Made new knowledge in philosophy, medicine, science available in
Europe
-
Decline of Church
Influence
-
Foundations for universities in Europe
-
Disruption of trade
-
Increased demand for
Middle Eastern products
-
Stimulated production of
goods to trade in Middle
Eastern markets
-
The Renaissance
New Economic Concepts:
Church rules against usury and the bank’s practice of
charging interest helped secularize northern Italy
CREDIT helps expand and expedite trade
New accounting and book-keeping practices were used
including Arabic numerals
Encouraged use of credit
in banking
Machiavelli’s The Prince


-
-
Crusades


Church Scholars in the Middle Ages
Early treatise of government
Supports the absolute power of
a ruler
“ends justify the means”
Do good if possible BUT evil
when NECESSARY
Northern Renaissance
Wealth increasing in northern
Europe supports the Renaissance
Florence, Genoa, Milan
Access to trade routes connecting them to Middle Eastern markets
Trading centers for the distribution of goods to northern Europe
Initially city-states that governed as republics
Leonardo da Vinci
The Last Supper

Mona Lisa

Merge humanism and Christianity
Gutenberg’s printing press and
Gutenberg’s Bible help spread
ideas
Erasmus – Praise of Folly (1511)
Sir Thomas More – Utopia (1516)
***Portrayed religious and secular
subjects***
David
Petrarch
Sonnets
Humanist scholarship
Celebrates
individual
Inspired by
Greek and
Michelangelo
Ceiling of Sistine Chapel
Humanism
Roman works

Supported by
wealthy patrons