What Is Classical Civilization And How Did It Spread
Chapter 5
The Classical Period: Directions, Diversities, and Declines by 500 C.E.
I. Expansion and Integration A. Key point – how did classical civilizations adjust to expansion 1. Between 550>400 BCE Confucius, Laozi, Buddha, Socrates a. Need to articulate central values B. How did they all unite? 1. China – more centralized 2. Mediterranean – more localized/diverse 3. India – key religious values – not as vulnerable to collapse – like Rome C. What are the two challenges of integration? 1. Territorial – how to command a. China – language for elite, resettlement b. Rome – local autonomy, tolerance c. India – spread caste system 2. Social – inequality between men/women – upper/lower class a. China – …show more content…
Cult/reaction movements started – promised afterlife for virtuous a. Jesus of Nazareth – gentleness + charisma b. initially no desire to spread c. message
1. one God, virtuous life dedicated to God, fellowship among believers, life of poverty better for holiness
2. Sacrifice for sins
3. Afterlife > belief, good works, discipline, perform rituals d. why did it spread? 1. Solace in negative world 2. Missionaries travel easily around Roman Empire 3. early leaders made adjustments to match needs a. Bishop system matched provincial governments 4. attractive to rich/poor – promise of salvation – like Hinduism 5. women – souls equal, men and women worship together 3. Gradual growth a. Competed w/ eastern cults, persecuted b. Constantine converted only 10% 1. Theocracy in East – emperor strong 2. Provincial leaders more power in West – papa – Pope in Rome 4. Beliefs a. Trinity – Father, Son, Holy Spirit b. formal theology – writers – Augustine – mixed w/ classical philosophy c. Notion of free will d. state not first e. worked against slavery – brotherhood more important – across class lines f. respect for disciplined
The Classical Period: Directions, Diversities, and Declines by 500 C.E.
I. Expansion and Integration A. Key point – how did classical civilizations adjust to expansion 1. Between 550>400 BCE Confucius, Laozi, Buddha, Socrates a. Need to articulate central values B. How did they all unite? 1. China – more centralized 2. Mediterranean – more localized/diverse 3. India – key religious values – not as vulnerable to collapse – like Rome C. What are the two challenges of integration? 1. Territorial – how to command a. China – language for elite, resettlement b. Rome – local autonomy, tolerance c. India – spread caste system 2. Social – inequality between men/women – upper/lower class a. China – …show more content…
Cult/reaction movements started – promised afterlife for virtuous a. Jesus of Nazareth – gentleness + charisma b. initially no desire to spread c. message
1. one God, virtuous life dedicated to God, fellowship among believers, life of poverty better for holiness
2. Sacrifice for sins
3. Afterlife > belief, good works, discipline, perform rituals d. why did it spread? 1. Solace in negative world 2. Missionaries travel easily around Roman Empire 3. early leaders made adjustments to match needs a. Bishop system matched provincial governments 4. attractive to rich/poor – promise of salvation – like Hinduism 5. women – souls equal, men and women worship together 3. Gradual growth a. Competed w/ eastern cults, persecuted b. Constantine converted only 10% 1. Theocracy in East – emperor strong 2. Provincial leaders more power in West – papa – Pope in Rome 4. Beliefs a. Trinity – Father, Son, Holy Spirit b. formal theology – writers – Augustine – mixed w/ classical philosophy c. Notion of free will d. state not first e. worked against slavery – brotherhood more important – across class lines f. respect for disciplined