CLASSICAL CIVILIZATIONS
Based on POLYTHEISTIC religion
Offered explanations of NATURAL
phenomenon, HUMAN qualities,
and life events
- Symbols and Images used in
Western Literature, Art, and
Architecture
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499-449 B.C.E
Persians Wars united ATHENS and
SPARTA against the Persians
- Athenian victory at Marathon & Salamis
gave Greeks control of Aegean Sea
- Athens preserved its independence and
continued innovations in government
and culture
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431-404 B.C.E
Caused in part by competition for
control of the Greek world
- Athens (Delian League) vs Sparta
(Peloponnesian League)
- Resulted in the slowing of cultural
advance and the weakening of
political power.
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Extended Democracy
Rebuilt and Beautified Athens after
Persian Wars
- One example was the Parthenon
- Designed by the sculptor Phidias
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Drama: Aeschylus and Sophocles
Poetry: Homer (Illiad and Odyssey)
History: Herodotus & Thucydides
Sculpture: Phidias
Architecture: Columns (3 types)
Science: Archimedes & Hippocrates
Mathematics: Euclid & Pythagoras
Philosophy: Socrates, Plato, & Aristotle
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Phillip II, King of Macedonia conquered most
of GREECE
His son, ALEXANDER THE GREAT,
established an empire that stretched from
EGYPT to the edge of INDIA
HELLENISTIC Culture: Blending of Greek,
Egyptian, Persian, and Indian Cultures by
Alexander
Spread of Hellenistic Culture through Trade
Based on POLYTHEISTIC religion
Offered explanations of NATURAL
phenomenon, HUMAN qualities,
and life events
- Symbols and Images used in
Western Literature, Art, and
Architecture
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264to 146 B.C.E.
War revolved around competition for trade
Three wars resulted in Roman victory,
Destruction of Carthage, extended trade &
wealth of Rome
During the 2nd Punic War, Hannibal
invaded Roman Peninsula and was
defeated by Scipio who attacked Carthage.
Rome after 1st Punic War
Rome after 2nd Punic War
Rome after 3rd Punic War
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Rome included all of
the Mediterranean
Basin (Africa, Asia,
Europe, & Hellenistic
World of the Eastern
Mediterranean
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Western Europe
(Gaul, British Isles)
DECLINE OF THE REPUBLIC
ORIGIN & EVOLUTION OF THE
ROMAN EMPIRE
Spread of Slavery in the
Agricultural System
Migration of small farmers
into the cities
(unemployment)
Civil War over the power of
Julius Caesar
Inflation (value of currency
goes down, costs of good
go up)
First Triumvirate (Caesar,
Crassus, & Pompey)
Julius Caesar: Seizing power,
Dictator for Life,
Assassination in the Senate
Augustus Caesar (Octavian)
Civil War, Defeated Marc
Antony, 1st Emperor
Failure to provide peaceful
succession of leaders
ORIGINS OF CHRISTIANITY
Had its roots in Judaism
 Was led by Jesus of
Nazareth
 Jesus was proclaimed the
Messiah: Son of God
 Conflicted with the
polytheistic beliefs of the
Roman Empire
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BELIEFS OF CHRISTIANITY
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Monotheistic
Jesus was seen as both the
son and incarnation of God
Life after Death
New Testament of the
Bible contains accounts of
Jesus’ life and teachings
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Message was popular with common people
Early martyrs inspired each other
Carried by apostles (disciples) throughout the
Roman Empire
Paul, a Roman Citizen, traveled across the
empire using the road system created by the
Romans spreading Christianity.
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Constantine converted to Christianity & made
it legal to practice
Theodosius made Christianity the official
religion of Rome
The Church became a source of moral
authority
Loyalty to the church was more important
that loyalty to the Emperor
Main Unifying force in Western Europe after
the fall of Rome.
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Art and Architecture: Pantheon, Colesseum,
& the Forum
Technology: Roads, Aqueducts, Arches
Science: Ptolemy
Medicine: Emphasis on Public Health
Language: Latin & influence on Romance
Languages
Literature: Virgil’s Aeneid
Religion: Mythology & then Christianity
Law: “Innocent until proven guilty”
Roman Forum
Pantheon
Aqueducts
Colosseum
Roman Arches