Section #2: India, China, Greece

1. Why were physical geography and location important to the development of Indian civilization?

Regular flooding from Indus River Protected from invaders by Hindu Kush Mts. And Himalayas

2. What impact did the Aryans have on India? Creation of Caste system (Hinduism) Spoken/written language (Sanskirt) Vedas

3. Why was the caste system central to Indian culture? People from India are Hindu and the caste system is the basis

for Hinduism

4. What were the accomplishments of the Mauryan and Gupta empires?

Mauryan Empire: largest empire in the Indian subcontinent; unified the subcontinent; founded by Chandragupta Maurya; began to fall after Ashoka’s death (Ashoka was Maurya’s grandson)

Gupta Empire: an ancient Indian empire, founded by Maharaja Sri Gupta

called the Golden Age of India marked by extensive inventions and discoveries in science,

technology, engineering, art, dialectic, literature, logic, mathematics, astronomy, religion and philosophy that crystallized the elements of what is generally known as Hindu culture

5. What are the beliefs of the Hindu religion?

Hinduism is the religion practiced primarily in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal

Consists of diverse family of devotional and the practice of severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence

o shares a belief in reincarnationo involves the worship of one or more of a large pantheon of

gods and goddesses, including Shiva and Vishnu (incarnate as Rama and Krishna), Kali, Durga, Parvati, and Ganesh

o significant because it is the basis of the caste system

6. How did Hinduism influence Indian society and culture?

The caste system of Hinduism was the basis of their society and their social structure.

7. What are the beliefs of Buddhism?

Buddhism is a religion without a god; each individual must find his/her own way to enlightenment; based upon the Four Noble Truths; answer is to follow the Eight-fold Path

8. How did Buddhism spread?

By missionaries

9. Why was the Great Wall of China built?

There were seven powerful states in China and in order to defend themselves from each other they all built walls and stationed troops on their borders. At that time the wall reached over 3,000 miles and belonged to different states. Then Qin took over six of the states and made the first unified kingdom in Chinese history. He ordered connecting the walls once built by the other states and added some of his own (this part of the Great Wall was in the east) to prevent his dynasty from Mongols. Then the Han dynasty built some in the west. More dynasties added to the wall over time. The wall we see today was built by the Ming.

Qin built It is located on the northern border of China.

10. What were contributions of classical China to world civilization?

11. Why were Confucianism, Taoism (Daoism), and Buddhism important in the formation of Chinese culture?

Confucianism: founded by Confucius; based upon filial piety and 5 basic relationships (moral order in society); included civil servants

1. Ruler and subject

2. Father and son

3. Husband and wife

4. Oldest son and younger brothers

5. Elders and juniors (friends)

Legalism: founded by Hanfeizi; based upon harsh laws, strict punishments, rewards for those who perform well, all power to the one in charge, powerful government backed by strong military. Ideas are to be controlled to maintain order.

Doaism: founded by Laozi; believed that life is generally happy but that it should be lived with balance and virtue; little government, harmony with nature; popular alternative to Confucianism; did not believe that life is suffering

They used these philosophies to control their people during a warring period to bring stability and unity to the land.

12. How did the mountains, seas, islands, harbors, peninsulas, and straits of the Aegean Basin shape Greek economic, social, and political development and patterns of trade and colonization?

13. How did mythology help the early Greek civilization explain the natural world and the human condition?

The ancient Greeks basically used myths (gods and goddesses) to explain anything in their world that they didn't have an explanation for. For example, they didn't know what caused different types of weather, so they used Zeus as a means to explain the changes in the weather.

14. What impact did Greek mythology have on later civilizations and the contemporary world?

Greek mythology ‘s impact on modern societies cannot be understated. One of its biggest impacts is on language. For example, most people who have no formal knowledge of Greek mythology still know that Hercules was a strongman and that Venus (the Roman version of the Greek Aphrodite) is the goddess of love.

REMEMBER SALS (Science, Arts, & Language)

SCIENCEGreek mythology ‘s impact on modern societies can be seen on any clear night. Many constellations are named after characters or monsters from Greek myths, including Cassiopeia, Andromeda, Hercules and Gemini. All planets and most of the moons in the solar system are also named after Greek mythological characters, although the planets have been given Roman versions of the Greek names. Even our Earth was named after a Greek myth: Another name for our planet is “Gaia, ” the name of the Greek earth mother.

ARTSNames of movies, songs literature, art often come from Greeks gods and goddesses.

Music: Venus by the Bangles Movie: Disney’s Hercules to include Hades, Lord of the

Underworld Art: Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus Opera: Orpheus in the Underworld by Offenbach Books: Often by Dante, Shakespeare and Milton make frequent

references to Greek mythology

LANGUAGEVery few people speak ancient Greek on a regular basis, but Greek mythology has shaped English and other languages on many levels. A “Herculean task, ” for example, is one that requires great effort. This phrase comes from a myth about the Twelve Labors of Hercules.The drug morphine got it name from Greek goddess of sleep, Morpheus. And Trojans today refers to a computer virus (because it sneaks in without you knowing).

The impact of Greek mythology on western culture and language is not confined to individual words. Many expressions, proverbs and clichés are direct references to ancient Greek myths.

For example, the expressions “caught between a rock and a hard place ” and “between the Devil and the deep blue sea ” both come from tales about sailors being caught between the monsters Scylla and Charybdis of Greek mythology. Other common expressions that demonstrate Greek mythology ‘s impact on modern societies include:

An Achilles heel (a single fatal vulnerability) Having the Midas touch (everything turns to gold) Lying in the arms of Morpheus (sleeping) Opening Pandora ‘s Box (unlocking a world of trouble) Rich as Croesus (Croesus was known for his wealth) The face that launched a thousand ships (a woman worth going to

war for)

15. How did democracy develop in Athens?

Monarchy: Started out as a monarchy for many years.

Aristocracy: Then fell under control of aristocrats who owned and controlled land. They were assisted by board of nine official called archons.

The Athens faced political turmoil because of serious economic problems. Farmers were sold into slavery when they were unable to pay debts.’

Aristocrats selected Solon (as the sole archon) to make reforms. Solon cancelled all debts, outlawed new loans based on human collateral and freed those who became slaves because they couldn’t pay their debts. (He did not redistribute aristocrat’s land).

Tyranny: Reforms helped but did not solve Athens problems. Aristocratic factions continued to vie for power and peasants resented the fact that Solon didn’t redistribute land. This led to tyranny when Pisitratus, an aristocrat, seized power. He was overthrown by the people and Cleisthenes (another aristocrat reformer) took over. He was backed by Athenian people.

Direct Democracy: Cleisthenes created Council of 500 (assembly). The people were chosen by lot by the ten tribes in which all citizens had been enrolled. The Assembly was responsible for administration of

foreign and financial affairs and prepared business that would be handled by the Assembly. The Assembly consisted of all male citizens (about 43,000) over 18 years old who met every 10 days at the Acropolis. They passed all laws and made final decisions on war and foreign policy based on majority vote. This reinforced the role of citizens in Athenian political system and created the foundation for direct democracy in Athens.

After Persian War Pericles took over and he was able to get compensation for service in public office. This allowed those who could not afford to take office to take office. Under Pericles Athens was a great power and Athenians became deeply attached to their direct democratic system. Although many people participated in the government aristocrats continued to hold highest offices and women and slaves had no vote. Athens was more united it had every been and became a major player in Greek affairs.

16. How did Sparta differ from Athens?

(REMEMBER: GG-SAMPLE)

GeographyAthens: Closer to coast helped facilitate trade and travelSparta: More flat land resulted in increase of agriculture

Government & Political OrganizationsAthens Government (typically classified as a “limited democracy.” Also considered the “birthplace of democracy.”)

Athens held the first democratic state, developed in 507 BC Principally made up of elected officials: Council of 500 made most of the main administrative decisions The Assembly was open to all citizens. This body passed laws and

made policy decisions. Only men were able to participate in the democratic assemblies, and

this was only 10-20% of the population. Women, children, slaves and foreigners were not allowed to participate.

Spartan Government (typically classified as an "oligarchy") Two kings were usually generals who commanded the major Spartan

armies

Gerousia (council of elders who propose laws to Apella. Had to be over 60 years old and served lifetime terms. Acted as judges and proposed laws to the citizens' assembly.)

Apella (citizen’s assembly) voted on Gerousia’s proposals but rarely rejected them

Social Structure (7 classes)Athens1. slaves 2. freedmen 3. metics 4. citizens, who were further subdivided into: 4a. thetes (urban craftsmen and trireme rowers); 4b. hoplites (usually farmers who could afford infantry armor); 4c. knights (aristocracy, traditionally defined as people who could afford to maintain war horses); 4d. pentakosiomedemnoi (super-wealthy citizens who could contribute to the city's defence by donating warships.) 

Spartan (4 classes)1. helots, or slaves. 2. Perioeci, or craftsmen who were subject to taxation and occassional military service, but had no political rights 3. Spartiates or Homoioi (Equals), a class of military professionals. 4. The two Kings, who were considered Homoioi though

Cultural Achievements and LegacyAthens:Left a large contribution to modern society. The arts, architecture, drama, literature, philosophy, science, medicine and government (democracy, trial by jury) are all ideas and disciplines that had great influence in Ancient Athens.

Sparta:Emphasized military strength as a means of power

Military Strength and Cultural ValuesAthens:Strong navy and fortificationStrong belief in the democratic process

Sparta:

Strong army which overwhelmed opponents in sheer military strengthStrong belief in militaristic values. Society was built upon a structure of order and disciplinePopulationAthens: Approximately 140,000.Sparta: Approximately 100,000.

Population: Athens: more than 250,000Sparta: less than 100,000

Life and ArtsAthens:• Placed high value on the arts• Most culturally influential city-state, and the people were known for their

love of learning and the arts, as well as great leaps forward in philosophy and science

• Aside from being great writers and scholars, the Athenians were great architects. One of their most famous buildings, the Pantheon, is still an architectural marvel nearly 2500 years after its inception

Sparta:• Did not place a high value on the arts, education or architecture.• Spartans did not welcome foreigners or trade with other because they did

not want new ideas or be influenced by any outside cultures

EducationAthens:Boys: Learned an array of subjects including reading, writing, mathematics, music, poetry, sports and gymnastics.Girls: Females received scant formal education. Instead, these women would focus on domestic skills like weaving and spinning.

Sparta:Boys: Formal education in the schoolhouses were not prized Instead at the age of 7, boys would be placed into state-run training centers. At 20, Spartan males entered military services where they needed to serve until age 60 (essentially their entire lives!). Spartan men could marry at the age of 20, however they were unable to live with their families until age 30 when they left active military service.Girls: On the other hand, females did receive some lessons in reading and

writing. In addition, they could participate in sports.

17. Why were wars with Persia important to the development of Greek culture?

Importance: It was the beginning of the end of the Persian empire Fought by: A united Greece against the Persians Won by: Greeks How: By using strategy such as Phalanx, terrain, ships, surprise.

LASTING EFFECTS

After the war Athens entered its golden age, and The Persian Empire began to fall. The Greeks became a great military power.

Battle of Marathon-took place during the first Persian invasion of Greece; Athenians were outnumbered but led by Militiades and Greek Hoplites who charged across the plain of Marathon and crushed the Persian forces.

Battle of Thermopylae-a massive invasion of close to 150,000 Persian troops and 700 ships through a narrow valley adjacent to the sea; led by Xerxes. Greeks lost after a traitor told Xerxes about a path that went around the Greek position. Leonidas was killed.

Battle of Salamis-Greeks were able to lure Persians into the narrow waters where they were systematically rammed and sunk. Greeks won and Xerxes went back to Persia.

What was the importance of the Peloponnesian War? Who fought? Who won? How did they win? What were the lasting effects?

Importance: With the Peloponnesian area so divided and weakened it allowed Philip and Alexander of Macedonia to conquer it

Who fought?: Athens and their allies against Sparta and their allies

Who won? Spartans and their allies

How did they win?

Although the city of Athens remained strong, the Athenian empire was weakened because many people were stricken by the plague and died, including the Athenian leader, Pericles. In 424 B.C. Athens was forced to surrender at last, relinquishing power to the Spartans.

What were the lasting effects?

After 27 years of fighting ,cities and crops were destroyed. Thousands of Greeks died. All of the Greek city-states suffered losses of economic and military power. This war weakened all of the Greek city-states for many years. Also, to the north of the Greek city-states, King Philip II of Macedon came to power and wanted to build his empire. He looked south toward the weakened Greek city-states and the Macedonians took over Greece.

18. Why was the Peloponnesian War important to the spread of Greek culture?

It allowed the Macedonians to come in and Alexander the Great conquered Persia, Egypt and India and with these conquests the Hellenistic culture spread.

19. Why was the leadership of Pericles important to the development of Athenian life and Greek culture?

Pericles was a leading figure in Athenian politics for more than 30 years and champion for Athenian democracy

He wanted to:o strengthen Athenian democracy

o hold and strengthen Athenian empire

o glorify Athens

20. What were some important contributions of Greek culture to Western civilization?

21. How did the empire of Alexander the Great establish a basis for the spread of Hellenistic culture?

Because it conquered Persia, Egypt and India and with these conquests the Hellenistic culture spread

Vocabulary to Know:

Aryans: Indo-Europeans or people who inhabited vast areas in the steppes north and east of the Black and Caspian Seas

moved south across the Hindi Kush into the plains of northern India and then throughout the entire subcontinent

movement resulted in the creation of a new society which made significant contributions to politics, social institutions and society

invented horse drawn chariots and the stirrup

Caste system: process of placing people in occupational groups

Has been in India for centuries

Is rooted in religion and based on a division of labor

Dictates the type of occupations a person can pursue and the social interactions that one may have.

Vedas The ancient scriptures of India. What Braham wannabe has to study

Upanishads: collection of philosophical texts which form the theoretical basis for the Hindu religion

Karma: one’s rebirth in the next life is determined by one’s actions in this life

Dharma: divine law; the duty one has to perform; the laws of each social class; highest class had the strictest rules

Reincarnation: the idea that an individual’s soul is reborn in a different form after death and progresses through several existences on the wheel of life until it reaches its final destination in a union with the Great World Soul, Brahman

Ashoka: from India and emperor of India who converted to Buddhism and established it as the state religion

considered to be the best ruler in the history of India; converted to Buddhism and tried to rule benevolently

Sent Buddhist monks throughout India to spread Buddhism Encourage the spread of Buddhism Built stupas (stone towers housing relics of Buddha) and

monasteries Directed banyan trees and shelters be placed along the road to

provide shade and rest for weary travelers Ordered the erection of stone pillars with official edicts and

Buddhist inscriptions to instruct people in the proper way

Siddhartha Gautama: founder of Buddhism

born an Indian prince renounced wealth and family to become an ascetic after achieving enlightenment while meditating, taught all who came

to learn from him

Four Noble Truths that on which Buddhism is based; answer is to follow the Eight Fold Path

Life is suffering Suffering is caused by desire The way to end suffering is to end desire The way to end desire is to avoid extremes of a life of vulgar

materialism and a life of self-torture

Eightfold Path: also called Middle Path and is the way to achieve enlightenment in Buddhism; calls for

Right knowledge Right purpose Right speech Right conduct Right occupation Right effort Right awareness Right meditation

Enlightenment: state of pure goodness or when a Buddhist discovers the truth about life through the Middle Road

Nirvana: final goal of Buddhism release from the wheel of life state in which there is neither suffering, desire, nor sense of self, and

the subject is released from the effects of karma and the cycle of death and rebirth

Confucianism: Chinese philosophy which found order through filial piety and 5 basic relationships (moral order in society)

1. Ruler and subject

2. Father and son

3. Husband and wife

4. Oldest son and younger brothers

5. Elders and juniors (friends)

Daoism: order through harmony with nature and yin and yang popular alternative to Confucianism does not believe that life is suffering believes that life is generally happy but that it should be lived with

balance and virtue

Shi Huangdi: founder of the Qin Dynasty

Great Wall of China

There were seven powerful states in China and in order to defend themselves from each other they all built walls and stationed troops on their borders. At that time the wall reached over 3,000 miles and belonged to different states. Then Qin took over six of the states and made the first unified kingdom in Chinese history. He ordered connecting the walls once built by the other states and added some of his own (this part of the Great Wall was in the east) to prevent his dynasty from Mongols. Then the Han dynasty built some in the west. More dynasties added to the wall over time. The wall we see today was built by the Ming.

Qin built It is located on the northern border of China.

Civil service: the administrative system of the traditional Chinese government

members selected by a competitive examination Chinese civil-service system gave the Chinese empire stability for

more than 2,000 years and provided one of the major outlets for social mobility in Chinese society

Later served as a model for the civil-service systems that developed in other Asian and Western countries

Han dynasty: from China, founded by Liu Bang after the overthrow of the Qin Dynasty

Filial piety: respect for one’s parents and grandparents; basis for Confusciasm

Yin & yang: order through harmony with nature and basis of Daoism which Was popular alternative to Confucianism Does not believe that life is suffering Believes that life is generally happy but that it should be lived with

balance and virtue

Silk Road: ancient caravan route that linked Xian in central China with the eastern Mediterranean

established during the period of Roman rule in Europe took its name from the silk that was brought to the west from China

Aegean Sea:

a part of the Mediterranean Sea that lies between Greece and Turkey, bounded on the south by Crete and Rhodes and linked to the Black Sea by the Dardanelles, the Sea of Marmara, and the Bosporus.

Mediterranean

an almost landlocked sea between southern Europe, the northern coast of Africa, and southwestern Asia. It is connected to the Atlantic Ocean by the Strait of Gibraltar, with the Red Sea by the Suez Canal and with the Black Sea by the Dardanelles, the Sea of Marmara, and the Bosporus.

Macedonia

-An ancient country in southeastern Europe, north of Greece which conquered Greece

-Was a kingdom that became a world power under Philip II and Alexander the Great

Hellenistic Culture: A culture which imitates the Greeks Greek language dominated The world was now broken up into kingdoms instead of city-states New cities sprang up New philosophies such as Epicureanism and Stoicism captured

the minds of many There were significant achievements in literature and science Stable political structure which stated to erode leading to the rise

of the Roman Empire.

Myth: a traditional story, esp. one concerning the early history of a people

or explaining some natural or social phenomenon, and typically involving supernatural beings or events.

what the Greeks adopted as they moved out into the eastern Mediterranean after they came into contact with older civilizations of the Near East and Egypt

example is the story of the flood that they adopted from Mesopotamian traditions

Polis: small, but autonomous political unit in which all major political, social

and religious activities were carried out at one central location consists of a city, town or village and its surrounding countryside

city, town, or village was the focus, a central point where the citizens of the polis could assemble for political, social and religious activities

in some poleis this central meeting point was a hill, like the Acropolis in Athens, so it could also serve as a place of refuge during an attack

Monarchy

Monarchy: type of government where a single ruler, such as a king, queen or

emperor holds all the power earliest form of government in Greece

Aristocracy: A form of government in which power is held by a group of rich people

Oligarchy: Rule by a small group of wealthy men developed in Greece as an alternative to a Monarchy few individuals have power to make political decisions used in Sparta

Tyranny: cruel, unreasonable, or arbitrary use of power or control government who governs that way

Democracy: system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives

Delian League: also called Athenian Empire an alliance of ancient Greek city states, dominated by Athens, that

joined in 478–447 bc against the Persians was disbanded on the defeat of Athens in the Peloponnesian War

(404 bc)

Peloponnesian League

Also called Spartan Alliance Was a military coalition of Greek city-states led by Sparta, Established League policy, usually decisions on questions of war,

peace, or alliance, was determined by federal congresses, summoned by the Spartans when they thought fit; each member state had one vote. \

Was a major force in Greek affairs, forming the nucleus of resistance to the Persian invasions

Golden Age-the Greek and Roman poets' name for the first period of history, when the human race lived in an ideal state.

At the time Pericles ruled Athens embarked on a policy of expanding democracy at home and

its new empire abroad and power culminated When Athens was known for its brilliance as a civilization When Athens was the leading center for Greek culture

Delian League: also called Athenian Empire an alliance of ancient Greek city states, dominated by Athens, that

joined in 478–447 bc against the Persians was disbanded on the defeat of Athens in the Peloponnesian War

(404 bc)

Pericles: young aristocrat who remained a leading figure in Athenian politics for

more than 30 years and champion for Athenian democracy under his rule Athens embarked on a policy of expanding democracy

at home and its new empire abroad timeframe called Age of Pericles which was the height of Athenian

power and culmination of its brilliance as a civilization expanded Athenians’ involvement in democracy and introduced state

pay for officeholders made Athens the leading center for Greek culture rebuilt what was destroyed during the Persian Wars commissioned the building of the Parthenon

Parthenon: the temple of Athena Parthenos, built on the Acropolis in 447–432 bc by Pericles to honor Athens' patron goddess and to commemorate

the recent Greek victory over the Persians. It was designed by Ictinus and Callicrates with sculptures by Phidias.

Homer: Greek epic poet authored the Iliad and the Odyssey regarded as the greatest poet whose poems were constantly used as

a model and source by others

Herodotus: Greek historian, known as “the Father of History” was the first historian to collect his materials systematically, test their

accuracy to a certain extent, and arrange them in a well-constructed and vivid narrative

Thucydides: considered the greatest historian of the ancient world saw war in purely rational terms and not concerned with underlying

divine forces

Phidias: Athenian sculptor noted for the Elgin marbles and his colossal statue of Zeus at

Olympia ( c. 430), which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

Aeschylus: Greek dramatist known for his tragedies

is best known for his trilogy, the Oresteia (458 bc), consisting of the tragedies Agamemnon, Choephoroe, and Eumenides

Sophocles: a famous playwright whose most famous work was Oedipus the King

Doric: relating to or denoting a classical order of architecture characterized by a sturdy fluted column and a thick square abacus resting on a rounded molding.

Ionic: relating to or denoting a classical order of architecture characterized by a column with scroll shapes (volutes) on either side of the capital

Corinthian: belonging or relating to the ancient city of Corinth relating to or denoting the lightest and most ornate of the classical

orders of architecture (used esp. by the Romans), characterized by flared capitals with rows of acanthus leaves

Archimedes: Greek mathematician/inventor and father of geometry is noted for his discovery of Archimedes' principle (legend has it that

he made this discovery while taking a bath and ran through the streets shouting “Eureka!”)

among his mathematical discoveries are the ratio of the radius of a circle to its circumference and formulas for the surface area and volume of a sphere and of a cylinder

Hippocrates: Greek physician, traditionally regarded as the father of medicine name is associated with the medical profession's Hippocratic oath

because of his attachment to a body of ancient Greek medical writings, probably none of which was written by him

Euclid: Greek mathematician. His Elements of Geometry, which covered plane geometry, the theory

of numbers, irrationals, and solid geometry, was the standard work until other kinds of geometry were discovered in the 19th century

Pythagoras: Greek philosopher; known as Pythagoras of Samos sought to interpret the entire physical world in terms of numbers and

founded their systematic and mystical study is best known for the theorem of the right-angled triangle

Socrates: stonemason and philosopher in Athens

believed that all knowledge is within each person and only critical examination was needed to bring it forward

questioned authority and criticized some Athenian values helped establish the foundations of Western philosophy developed the Socratic Method which employs a question-answer

technique to lead pupils to see things for themselves using their own reason understanding and ethical concepts by exposing and dispelling error (the Socratic method)

Plato: Greek philosopher disciple of Socrates and the teacher of Aristotle set out ideas about government in his dialogue called The Republic

(distrusted the workings of democracy) felt state was a population divided into 3 groups (ruling elite,

courageous & masses/producers) founded the Academy in Athens believed men and women should have same education and equal

access to all positions

Aristotle: Greek philosopher and scientist student of Plato and tutor to Alexander the Great founded a school (the Lyceum) outside Athens one of the most influential thinkers in the history of Western thought surviving works cover a vast range of subjects, including logic, ethics,

metaphysics, politics, natural science, and physics’ thought women must be subordinate to men

Phillip II: king of Macedonia and father of Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great: king of Macedon 336–323 son of Philip II conquered Persia, Egypt, and India founded the city of Alexandria in Egypt.

Hellenistic Culture: A culture which imitates the Greeks Greek language dominated The world was now broken up into kingdoms instead of city-states New cities sprang up

New philosophies such as Epicureanism and Stoicism captured the minds of many

There were significant achievements in literature and science Stable political structure which stated to erode leading to the rise

of the Roman Empire.