Transcript
Page 1: Classical Civilizations of the Mediterranean Persia, Greece, and Rome

Classical Civilizations of the Mediterranean

Persia, Greece, and Rome

Page 2: Classical Civilizations of the Mediterranean Persia, Greece, and Rome

The Birth of Persia

• Persia developed alongside the Mediterranean world and inherited man successes of Mesopotamian society

• Persia made leaps in advanced technology, language, culture, art, and mathematics

• Also developed a new religion called Zoroastrianism• Zoroastrianism dwindled

as Alexander conquered Persian territory and once Islam began to take hold– The first World religion where

there was an idea of one universal God (Ahura Mazda)

Page 3: Classical Civilizations of the Mediterranean Persia, Greece, and Rome

Cyrus: Was he Really that Great?• Cyrus the Great (580-529 BCE) is credited with the

establishment of the Persian empire• Known as a great conqueror he controlled the largest

empire the World had seen to that point: He even captured Babylon!

• Many welcomed him as a liberator and he allowed the Jews to return to the Promised Land (Palestine today)

• He often showed great respect for the cultures he conquered and even was tolerant of their religious beliefs

• The Hellenes (Greeks), whom he conquered, regarded him as an upstanding law giver who actually promised peace to all mankind.

• 539 BCE he even created the first charter of human rights on the “Cyrus the Great Cylinder” (Social codes?)

Page 4: Classical Civilizations of the Mediterranean Persia, Greece, and Rome

Greece• Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC)

is what ended the Golden Age of Greece.• Sparta defeats Athens and a transfer of power

shifts to Sparta– This is a key reason Plato begins his philosophical

work on government and education

• Alexander of Macedonia spread the size of the empire through Persia and into parts of India

• His empire was short-lived however: Alexander dies at age 33 – After 13 years of victories (Alexander’s own soldiers

began to believe he was immortal!) and with little to no injuries; Alexander dies from malaria/typhoid fever

Page 5: Classical Civilizations of the Mediterranean Persia, Greece, and Rome
Page 6: Classical Civilizations of the Mediterranean Persia, Greece, and Rome

Rome

• The Roman state began small around 800 bce but spread rapidly during the Punic wars (264bce-146bce)

• They had fought the Phoenicians at the battle of Carthage (Which was often celebrated via re-enactment in the Coliseum)

• The Carthaginian general Hannibal was defeated and cut to pieces to send his body to all corners of the Roman empire

• They then burned the city and spread salt on the earth so agriculture could not sustain the rebuilding of a city at that spot

Page 7: Classical Civilizations of the Mediterranean Persia, Greece, and Rome

Rome cont.• In 45 bce Julius Caser sets the path for the development

of a “modern” Rome• His grandnephew Augustus seizes power and

establishes the basic structures of the Roman empire we know of today

• The Mediterranean world, Spain, and Africa saw peace, stability, and economic prosperity under rulers following Augustus (Marcus Aurelius 180bce)– Emperors also moved north and took France, Britain, and

Germany as well• From here the downfall began and would take over 200

years to complete though strong leaders like Constantine took efforts to reverse the tide– Attempted to unite his empire by making an obscure religion the

mandated religion of his people: Christianity

Page 8: Classical Civilizations of the Mediterranean Persia, Greece, and Rome

Plato and the RepublicPlato and the Republic

Page 9: Classical Civilizations of the Mediterranean Persia, Greece, and Rome

Who was Plato?Who was Plato?

• Greek philosopher, mathematician, author of Greek philosopher, mathematician, author of dialogues, and founded the first academy of dialogues, and founded the first academy of higher education in the world in Athenshigher education in the world in Athens

• Was a student of Socrates & teacher of AristotleWas a student of Socrates & teacher of Aristotle• Outspoken against the tyranny of government Outspoken against the tyranny of government

that was established at the end of the that was established at the end of the Peloponnesian War (404-403 bce)Peloponnesian War (404-403 bce)

• He laid the foundations of modern philosophy He laid the foundations of modern philosophy and scienceand science

Page 10: Classical Civilizations of the Mediterranean Persia, Greece, and Rome

The RepublicThe Republic

• Plato’s political theory on justice,Plato’s political theory on justice, order, & the character of the order, & the character of the city-state and the just mancity-state and the just man• This takes place during the period of the This takes place during the period of the

Peloponnesian War and the main protagonist is Peloponnesian War and the main protagonist is Socrates, his teacherSocrates, his teacher

• Socrates and various other Athenians examine Socrates and various other Athenians examine justice, just men, the affairs of the city-state, and justice, just men, the affairs of the city-state, and political regimespolitical regimes

• They also discussed the roles of philosophers in They also discussed the roles of philosophers in society and the immortality of the soul society and the immortality of the soul

Page 11: Classical Civilizations of the Mediterranean Persia, Greece, and Rome

Allegory of the CaveAllegory of the Cave• This was an analogy used to describe the perception of This was an analogy used to describe the perception of

man and to illustrate the nature of his educationman and to illustrate the nature of his education• Socrates describes a scenario in which what people take Socrates describes a scenario in which what people take

to be real would in fact be an illusion (Fire and shadows)to be real would in fact be an illusion (Fire and shadows)• Plato’s aim in the Plato’s aim in the RepublicRepublic is to describe what is is to describe what is

necessary for us to achieve reflective understanding necessary for us to achieve reflective understanding

Page 12: Classical Civilizations of the Mediterranean Persia, Greece, and Rome

Attila the Hun

• 433 becomes ruler of Huns and is called the Scourge of God by Romans

• Descended from what would later become the Mongols (Mongolia not established yet)

• 434 Theodosius II paid annual price to keep Huns at bay• 441Attilla attacks Eastern Roman empire and continues

west• 451 Set back by Romans and Visigoths at Chalon he

refocuses and attacks Italy• 452 Lays siege and waste to various cities throughout

Italy and meets with Pope Leo I who convinces him to leave Rome alone

• 453 Attila dies on wedding night.

Page 13: Classical Civilizations of the Mediterranean Persia, Greece, and Rome

Diocletian 285-305AD• Takes rule in 285 AD and begins reforms• Political: Creates a two emperor system to rule over

extent of empire (Maximian)• Social: Emphasis on marriage, justice and due process• Military: Restructured internally, reduced years of service

(to 20), and created mobile groups to protect capital and sent local groups to fringes of empire

• Economic: Contracted new building projects, restored coinage, and enacted new taxes on property

• Religious: Saw Christianity as a threat to his rule, began persecution– 303 edicts against practicing and speaking/writing about

Christianity– Backfired and proved to be a catalyst for its rapid spread

Page 14: Classical Civilizations of the Mediterranean Persia, Greece, and Rome

Constantine 306-337AD

• Tolerance: in 313 creates the Edit of Milan granting religious freedom to all ending years of persecution

• New Rome: He created a new Christian capital for the Roman Empire (Constantinople)– Creates a second senate there

• Christianity: Converts to Christianity and supports its spread– Makes concessions to fold pagan tribes into Christian empire of

Rome– Ha setback against his nephew who tries to reinstate polytheistic

views– Once Theodosius takes rule he officially puts an end to pagan

practices

Page 15: Classical Civilizations of the Mediterranean Persia, Greece, and Rome

Rome Begins to Decline• Army spread thin around empire• Economy was failing and aristocrats power went

unchecked• Invasions from outside: Germanic tribes/Huns/Turks• Internal factors:

– Couldn’t afford military upkeep– Many soldiers not even Roman (no loyalty to Rome)– Extent of empire cost $$$– Weak leadership

• Rome sacked 410 and after Theodosius death in 455• Official fall around 476 AD


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