Period 2: Organization and Reorganization of Human Societies,

600BCE to 600CEKey Concept 2.1: The Development and Codification of

Religious and Cultural Traditions

Key Concept 2.2: The Development of States and Empires

Key Concept 2.3: Emergence of Transregional Networks of Communication and Exchange

Codification of ReligionStates and empires increased in size, religion

was transformedBelief systems provided a bond among people

and ethical codes to live byReinforced political, economic, and social

hierarchies (caste system)Religious and political authority mergedBelief systems generated conflict

Judaism and Hebrew CodeVedic Religions

Codification of ReligionHinduismBuddhism-reaction to the Vedic beliefs of South

Asia-desire, suffering, enlightenment all apply to both

Buddhism spread and changedConfucianismDaoism-influence on Chinese cultureChristianityGreco-Roman philosophyAncestor veneration, Shamanism, Animism (Africa,

East Asia, Mediterranean, Andes)

Literature and DramaGreek playsIndian EpicsDistinctive Architecture

IndiaGreeceRomeMesoamerica

Development of States and EmpiresEmpires grew in population and size, lites to

manage affairsCurrencies, internal improvementsCitiesCompeted for resources and land causes conflictPowerful militariesAdministrative institutions-centralized

governments, diplomacy, infrastructureEthnically and culturally diverse populationsBy expanding, created unmanageable political,

cultural, and administrative difficultiesSocial and economic problemsEnvironmental challengesExternal problems (borders)

Important Classical Age StatesSW Asia: Persian Empires (remember there are three: Achaemenid, 550-330 B.C.E., Parthian, 247 B.C. E.-228 C.E., Sassanid, 224-651C.E.)E Asia: Qin and HanS Asia: Maurya and GuptaMediterranean: Phoenicia, Greece, Hellenistic, RomeMesoamerica: Teotihuacan, MayaAndes: Moche

Networks of ExchangeLong distance trade increasedDemand for luxury goods and raw materialsLand and water routes linked many regionsExchange of people, technologies, religions,

cultural beliefs, food crops, domesticated animals, disease pathogens

America and Oceania had localized networks

Networks of ExchangeEurasian Silk RoadsTran-Saharan Caravan Indian Ocean Sea LanesMediterranean Sea Lanes

New Transportation TechnologiesYokesSaddlesStirrups

HorsesOxenLlamasCamels

Improved maritime technologies (E. Asia to E. Africa)Dhow

Impacts of TradeNew farming and

irrigation techniques- Qanat

Disease-Rome and China

Religions were reformedChristianityHinduismBuddhism

http://www.waterhistory.org/histories/qanats/qanats1.png

Persepolis: Persia

Carthage: Phoenician

Athens: Greece

Pataliputra: Mauryan

Chang’an (present day Xi’an)

Rome

Constantinople

Alexandria

Teotihuacan