Transcript Classical Civilization - Levittown School District

Classical Civilization
INDIA!
Topography of India
• Subcontinent of India
is partially separated
from the rest of the
Asian continent by the
Himalayas
• Passes through the
mountains linked India
to other civilizations in
the Middle East
The most important agricultural
regions are those along the Indus
and the Ganges Rivers
Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa are the two
biggest cities/settlements in classical India
The Formative Period
•Indian civilization was
also shaped by its Vedic
and Aryan Ages.
•Aryan conquerors
gradually came to terms
with agriculture. These
ages brought the caste
system, Sanskrit and
many other religious
beliefs to India.
Vedic Age (1500-1000 BCE)
• Veda = knowledge (Sanskrit terminology)
• Epic poems: Rig-Veda - consisted of 1028
scriptures and hymns dedicated to the
Aryan gods. Written and put together by
priests.
Epic Age (1000 – 600 BCE)
• Mahabharata, Ramayana, & Upanishads
(epic poems/stories) all composed during
the Epic Age.
• These epics detail a more agricultural
society and a better-organized political
structure than the Rig-Veda
Development of Religion
• Sanskrit scriptures formed the basis of most
Vedic religions – later known as Hinduism
• Religion often used as a political or social tool
for power or placement in society.
Political eras were less clear in
India – outside Invasions
constantly disrupted the flow of
rule.
Classical India alternated
between widespread empires
and a network of smaller
kingdoms.
The Maurya and Gupta
dynasties constituted the most
successful political regimes in
India. They were run entirely
by Indians themselves as
opposed to outside conquerors.
The Maurya Dynasty
The first to unify much of the
subcontinent. It’s first major
ruler was Chandragupta. He
ruled along the Ganges River
around 322 BCE. He borrowed
from Persian political models,
and Alexander the Great.
Chandragupta and his successors
maintained large armies and
developed large bureaucracies.
Their style of government was
highly autocratic  (ONE ruler
has unlimited power).
Ashoka was even greater than his
grandfather (Chandragupta).
Through fierce fighting, he
gained control of all but the
southern tip of India.
•Ashoka worked to improve trade
and communication. Built an
extensive road network, with
wells and rest stops for travelers.
Commerce grew. After Ashoka,
the empire started to fall apart.
The Guptas
Began around 320 CE. No
individual rulers but a great
impact - Power was spread
through intermarriage and
negotiation. This was the greatest
period of stability for India.
They were overthrown by the
Huns in 535 CE
The Caste System
Provided the stability in India
that most countries received
from government.
The caste system developed during the
Vedic and Epic Ages. It slowly
developed into almost 300 sub castes.
It provided a network of rules and
promoted public order.
Hinduism
The religion of the majority of
people from India. Hinduism
had no single founder and no
central holy figure.
Features of Hinduism:
Upanishads – Epic poems with
religious ties
Dharma – Hindu moral law
Buddhism – Founded on the
teachings of Gautama, born
around 563 BCE (563-483 BCE) –
Accepted many Hindu beliefs but
attacked the priests and caste
system.
Buddha argued that holy life
could be attained from ANY
level of society.
Characteristics of India’s
Society
• Family life emphasized tight organization
• Male dominance was greater in theory than reality
– Patriarchal society
• Families formed economic units
• Economy rivaled China in sophistication and
technology but was still agricultural based
• Very prosperous upper class
• Emphasized trade and merchant activity (greater
than China and the Mediterranean World).