Declines+of+the+Classical+Period

001: Fall of China, India, and Rome- Notes:

 * ==Han:==
 * By about 100 C.E., Han dynasty suffered serious decline
 * Confucian intellectual activity gradually became less creative
 * control of central government weakened, bureaucrats became more corrupt, local landlords assumed position of leaders, ruling villages according to own whims
 * free peasants conflicted with taxes, were further taxed and demanded service by landlords, many lost farms and became day laborers on large estates.
 * Some peasant children were sold into labor
 * Social unrest led to revolutionary effort by Daoists in 184 C.E.
 * Daoism gained appeal, becoming more of a religion and adding healing practices to to previous philosophies
 * **Yellow Turbans,** Daoist leaders, promised a gold age brought by divine magic
 * attacked weakness of emperors
 * ultimately failed --> Chinese pop. growth and prosperity declined
 * China's inability to retaliate against invasions from borderland nomads, resulted from :
 * 1.) epidemics
 * may have killed up to half of pop.
 * regional rulers/ weak dynasties fell
 * China's cultural unity fell asa result of Buddhism's rise
 * towards end of 6th century:
 * nomadic invaders were surpressed by native rulers of north
 * **Sui** dynasty ruled briefly
 * 618 C.E. --> Tang dynasty presided, sponsoring one of most glorious periods of Chinese history.
 * revived Confucianism + bureaucracy
 * bureaucracy declined in quality, but did not dissolve
 * Confucian values remained prevalent in upper class
 * ==India:==
 * 5th century :
 * control of Gupta emperors over local princes declined
 * As early as 500 C.E., nomadic peoples, ie. Huns began invaing northern regions of India, penetrating the stronghold of the Gupta empire.
 * integrated themselves into warrior caste, creating new ruling group of regional princes
 * threatened native rulers ; no one tried to build large Indian state
 * Rajput, regional princes, controlled small states and emphasized military prowess
 * Buddhism declined
 * Hindu beliefs remained stable, converted some Hun princes
 * Hinduist worship of mother goddess, Devi, invoked emotionalism in religious ritual
 * economic prosperity continued
 * After 600 C.E.:
 * Middles Eastern religion of Islam posed a threat to Indian civilization
 * Arab armies, under Allah, ventured in to northern frontier of India by 7th century
 * won converts in the northwest
 * Hindu leaders responsed with emphasis on religious devotion.
 * Hindu texts were written in vernacular languages, ie Hindi, while Sanskrit declined
 * distracted Indians from mathematical and scientific developments
 * Islam affected economy of India
 * Arab traders took control of Indian Ocean trade from tamil traders
 * reduction of commecial dynamism
 * Politics
 * regionalism continued to prevail
 * ==Rome:==
 * After 180 C.E.:
 * pop. declined
 * failure in recruiting effective army
 * corrupt emperors, given to "lustful and cruel habits"
 * tax collection became difficult --> people of empire fell on hard times
 * political confusion
 * produced a series of inept emperors, disputes over succession of throne
 * plague:
 * result of increasing international trade
 * brought diseases endemic in southern Asia to Mediterranean, had no resistance to measles
 * pop. decreased from a million to 250,000 people
 * recruitment of troops = difficult
 * hired mercenary Germanic soldiers to guard frontiers
 * need to pay troops compiled upon demands on state's budget, leading to cut in tax revenues
 * Roman upper class sought pleasure
 * turned away from politics and economy
 * cultural life delined
 * little intellectual innovation
 * literature declined, w/ exception of textbooks
 * text focused less on mathmatics, science, literary style, etc.
 * quality of imperial rule declined, governed by corrupt rulers
 * many farmers turned to landlords for military and judicial protection, in exchange for plots of land
 * decentralized political and economic authority
 * self-sufficiency
 * decline in trade + production
 * 284 to 305 C.E.
 * **Diocletian** attempted to strengthen administration of empire and improve tax collection
 * regulation of economy
 * exerted pressures to worship emperor as god
 * promoted him to execute Christians
 * 312- 337 C.E.
 * Constantine established Constantinople:
 * to regulate eastern portion of Roman empire
 * eastern empire, as a result of Constantinople, remained effective political and economic unit
 * used Christianity for spiritual unification of empire
 * division of east/ west empires worsened conditions of western empire
 * attempts to regulate economy reduced economic initiative and lowered production
 * tax revenues declined
 * army deteriorated further
 * Germanic invasions beginning in 400's saw resistance in German mercenary army
 * 425 C.E:
 * German kingdoms established throughout Roman empire
 * 476 C.E. --> displaced last Roman emperor
 * Germanic invaders outnumbered 5% of Roman pop.
 * only western half of Roman empire fell
 * eastern half of Roman empire, centered around Constantinople, remained
 * known as Byzantine empire
 * ruled by Justinian from 527 - 565 C.E.
 * flourished in arts, and trade
 * unable to maintain hold in Italy and lost provinces in north Africa
 * issued Justinian's Code, most famous of Roman laws
 * last effort to restore Mediterranean unity
 * last days of Roman empire, Parthian empire ruled
 * centered in Tigris- Euphrates, spread to northern India, and border's of Rome's holdings along Mediterranean
 * took over portion of Alexander the Great's empire
 * relied on Perisian cultures, maintained strong military and bureaucratic systems
 * Persian religion of Zoroastrianism
 * some conversion of Christianity
 * Parthian and Sassanid empires served as bridges b/t Mediterranean and East
 * transmitted goods, artistic, literary styles b/t Greek-speaking world and India and China
 * Sassanid empire attacked Roman empire as it weakened, conquering parts of Southeastern Europe
 * Byzantine empire managed to create stable frontier
 * Sassanids were overthrown by Arab conquests into following riise of Islam -- 7th B.C.E.
 * Second zone that devolved from Rome's fall was comprised of north Africa and sutheastern shores of the Mediterranean
 * regional kingdoms briefly succeeded the empire
 * Christianity spread
 * Augustine, one of greatest Christian theologians, was bishop of north Africa
 * African Christianity produced the Coptic church in Egypt
 * Rome's fall in western part of the empire of Italy, Spain, and parts of north, reduced level of civilization
 * Italy, France, etc. were ruled by Germanic kingdoms
 * Christianity spread in these areas
 * could not maintain art, literature

002 In-Depth p 102: Nomads and Cross-Civilization Contacts and Exchanges:
Chinese rulers and Islamic sultans conducted trade with each other, and often had to send armies to fend off nomads, whose raids would interfere and diminish trade. Merchants and imperial bureaucrats who paid these nomads, would receive protection from bandits and raiding parties for caravans passing through their grazing land. Extra payment, would convince the nomads to supply animals to transport merchants' goods and foods and drinks needed by caravan parties. Inventions vital to growth of civilizations were transported in war and peace by nomadic people from one place to another. Once such invention, was paper, in which Muslims discovered that their prisoners knew the secret to making paper, a technique invented by the Chinese. Nomadic mobility and trade links led to the spread of papermaking techniques to Mesopotamia and Egypt, in 8th and 9th centuries.Nomadic warriors also contributed to spread of technological innovations in warfare and techniques, ie saddles, bits ,bows, gunpowder, hit and run technique, etc. They have also served as agents for the transfer of food crops b/t distant civilized cores. Nomads also played an important role in transmitting diseases, ie Mongol cavalry carried bacterium that causes strain of the plague from central Asia into China. Defense against nomadic invaders inspired development of the Great Wall. Trade along the Silk Road contributed to cultural diffusion, bringing elements of Buddhism(India) into Chinese culture.

003: In-Depth - Class Presentation Notes:

Social heiarchy in which peasantry were subjugated by aristocracy(Chinese Mandarin bureaucrats, etc.) ** Intellect: ** · Roman culture adopted Greek innovations. · Differences:  o Little mobility b/t social classes in India à rigid  o China’s bureaucratic system based on intelligence  o Greek = money + involvement in politics  o India guided by Hinduism  o Greece and Rome depended on slavery, did not need intellect innovations  o China’s confucianism promoted intellect through lit and poems, ie. 5 Classics Social cement · Rome  o Republic, citizens could vote, gv’t determined certain policies · India  o Hinduism maintain social structure  § Following role in society, reincarnation if following roles in society  § China,  · Confucianism taught reverence and restraint Economic prosperity à subjugate lower class and have them work Wealth = power Aristocrats = politics Aristocrats = bureaucracy Inequality is Social Norm: § India  o Caste system à strict  § Five groups  · Priests  · Warriors  · Skilled traders, merchants, minor officials <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 2in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level4 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · Unskilled workers <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 2in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level4 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · “Untouchables” <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 2in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level4 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · CAN NOT MOVE UP, intercaste marriages can lower status and was forbidden <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 2in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level4 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · Can not move based on intelligence § China <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o Heiarchy <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level3 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"> § Based on beliefs of Confucianism <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level3 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"> § Distant separation b/t elite and common people <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level3 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"> § Women were exculded from social class <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level3 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"> § Scholar gentry -- higher education § Greece <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o Democratic <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level3 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"> § Social system -- Athens <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 2in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level4 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · All people got equal opportunities <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level3 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"> § Sparta <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 2in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level4 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · Hellots <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level3 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"> § Class distinction based on gender, women were not allowed to participate <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level3 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"> § Myths/ philosophy enforced social distinction <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 2in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level4 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · Natural order of things, did not rebel against gv’t <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o COMMON THEME: PEOPLE WERE EXPECTED TO FOLLOW SOCIAL CLASSES Chinese belived one would be civilized based on culture and how they lived Based on race/ color 20th century—idea was discarded Women in patriarchal Societies Women were inferior to men · Social system in which father is head of household, <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level2 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o Women had no rights outside of domestics <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level2 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o Independence to decide religion <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level3 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"> § Law protected abuse from husbands –physical- · India <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level2 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o Men were gods, women had to worship · Egypt <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level2 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o 7 queens, ie Cleopatra <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level2 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o Women received more credit · Women were used to acquire property through marriage · India <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level2 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o Daughters were murdered to maintain pop.

004: Notes on Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Daoism:

 * Period from 200 - 600 C.E.
 * **Christianity spread westward from the middle east and eventually became one of the largest religions in the world, influencing the Romans and many other civilizations**
 * **Christianity:**, emerging two centuries before the collapse of Rome, became a widespread religion throughout the Mediterranean
 * spread westward, from Middle East
 * intolerant of competing beliefs
 * began as a response to Jewish priesthood two centuries before the birth of Jesus Christ
 * preached the coming of a Messiah, who would bring a Last Judgement on human kind
 * stressed the possibility of life after death
 * **Jesus of Nazareth**, son of God, was sent to Earth to redeem human sin
 * preached in Israel and gathered group of loyal disciples
 * After crucifixion, his disciples expected his return and with it, the end of the world
 * when Second Coming did not arrive, his disciples dispersed and attracted much support from various parts of the Roman Empire
 * **message: God was the single supreme being, who loved humankind, despite their sins**
 * a virtuous life was one that revolved around worship of God, fellowship amongst believers, worldly concerns were secondary, and life of poverty might be most conducive to holiness
 * belief, good works, and discipline of fleshy concerns would lead to heaven, as well as rituals similar to the Last Supper
 * emphasized simple life and equality for all people
 * because of large size of Roman empire, Christian missionaries were able to travel throughout Europe and Middle East, reaching Persia, Axum, and Ethiopia
 * Under **Paul**'s Guidance:
 * Christians saw themselves as part of a new religion, rather than Jewish reform, and welcome non-Jews
 * formal organization within new church
 * local leaders selecring elders to govern them; a leader/ bishop was appointed for each city.
 * Christian doctrine - several writings of disciples, were collected in New Testament of Christian Bible
 * By the time **Constantine** converted to Christianity, about 10% of the Roman empire accepted it as the new religion
 * his conversion led to troubles with the religion, due to interference by the states in matters of doctrine
 * as the empire fell, came more acceptance of the religion
 * Constantinople = strong imperial rule = control of church became way of life
 * West= chaos
 * centralized church organization under the leadership of the bishop of Rome, pope, gave Western church strength and independence
 * key tenet involved doctrine of Trinity, which dictated the idea that God had three forms -- the Father, the Son(Christ), and the Holy Ghost
 * produced formal theology
 * experience in fighting heresies promoted the desire to defend a single religion
 * Christianity was willing to meet polytheistic traditions of common people
 * Christ's birth = winter solstice
 * Appeals combined with Christianity
 * deep devotion to all-powerful God
 * mystical holy men and women prospered under Christian banners, esp. Middle East
 * in West, after collapse of Roman empire, led to institution of monasticism
 * developed by **Benedict** in Italy
 * began a monstery to lure Italian peasants from worship of Apollo
 * Benedictine Rule urged disciplined life, with prayer and spiritual fulfillment, alternating with work in agriculture and study
 * Success of Christianity and it's organization appealed to political leaders
 * other-worldly emphasis, rituals, and spiritual equality differed from ideas of Mediterranean civilizations
 * modified classical beliefs of central importance of state and political loyalties
 * Christians did not put state as their top priority
 * worked against slavery
 * emphasized sexual restraint
 * incorporated themes of classical philosophy along with solid organization
 * **Buddhism, Daoism, and Hinduism promised offered hope of a better existence after life ended**
 * **Buddhism:** - surged into eastern Asia, furthered by growing problems in classical China
 * traveled beyond India's borders --> became only minority religion in India itself
 * expanded because of monks, who abandoned earthly life for one of spiritual dedication
 * prior to Buddha's death, the doctrine of bodhisattavas, Buddhist holy men developed, maintaining that people could attain nirvana through meditation, remaining in the world as saints, and guiding people by prayer and example.
 * bodhisattavas
 * their souls would elevate to a super heaven after death, where they would receive prayers and aid people
 * shifted from ethics to emotional cult stressing popular salvation
 * monasteries in India& Himalaya mountains served as spiritual centers for Chinese Buddhism served as centers for Chinese Buddhism
 * Mahayana, the Greater Vehicle, was the east Asian form of Buddhism
 * had an appeal on women - led to a more meaningful life
 * disrupted patriarchy
 * Buddhist ideas were later changed, ie "husband supports wife" = "husbands control wife"
 * eventually, men supported pious wifes, because if would keep them out of mischeif
 * opposed by Confucians, believing holy life was incompatible with proper family obligations
 * had lasting impact on east Asia; Japan, Korea, Vietnam, besides China
 * **Hinduism:**
 * retained ideas of reincarnation
 * spread mainly beyond India's borders
 * experienced more appeal post fall of Guptas
 * related to expanded use of popular languages and worship of mother goddess Devi
 * **Daoism:**
 * reacted to Buddhism with improvement in organization and empahsizing practical benefits through magic
 * gained support of many peasants
 * **Islam:** began in early 7th century
 * changes following rise of Christianity, Buddhism:
 * conversion of most of civilized world