The Classical Period Directions, Diversities, and Declines by 古典时期的方向，多样性，与下降.pptVIP

The Classical Period: Directions, Diversities, and Declines by 500 CE Introduction The Indian Ocean provided an important link between the independent/ self-sufficient empires of Rome, India, and China. How much cultural exchange occurred? (the halo and etc. are Buddhist in nature) Did Christianity later adopt these Buddhist practices because of trade? What would happen to the world when the classical civilization declined and allowed for new opportunities for people? Others would rise to fill the political and economic void that these civilization had formerly met. The classical civilizations fell (Han, Rome, Gupta) –The Gupta Empire for example took advantage of the trade void after the fall of the Roman Empire and their merchants became very prosperous. This in turn allowed for the spread of Hinduism and Buddhism as well as many temples across India to be built. In the postclassical age, Muslim merchants would rise to power to fill this void! The fall of the classical empires had consequences beyond just their borders. New forces were created in sub-Saharan Africa, N. Europe and Asia. The classical civilization did NOT take up all the globe, but they did include the majority of the world’s people. Expansion and Integration Classical civilizations featured many new ideas and innovations that arose as a response to the needs of the people. Not a coincidence that Confucius, Laozi, Buddha, and Socrates arose about the same time. China tried to unify its people by centralization of government. They had to reign in s. territories and did this via government and had some resettle there and promoted a common language (for elites). India and the Mediterranean were more localized and diverse politically. India unified its people by religious values and the caste system. Mediterranean had many cultural achievements. Rome gave lots of local autonomy to people they conquered and much tolerance to local religion, customs, and laws. Granted citizenship to elites and econom