World History Lecture #1World History Lecture #1

A Brief History of the A Brief History of the Western WorldWestern World

McCoy 2010McCoy 2010

Warm-up:Warm-up:

What is meant by the term “the western What is meant by the term “the western world?”world?”

The Ancient GreeksThe Ancient Greeks

776 BC, the first Olympic games776 BC, the first Olympic games 146 BC, Greece was conquered by the 146 BC, Greece was conquered by the

RomansRomans This time period is used to define the This time period is used to define the

Ancient Greek culture and influenceAncient Greek culture and influence

SpartaSparta Warrior state, 300 the movieWarrior state, 300 the movie

AthensAthens Democracy (508 BC), Democracy (508 BC), Great rivals with Sparta and PersiaGreat rivals with Sparta and Persia

Alexander the Great (356-323 BC)Alexander the Great (356-323 BC) Macedonian (No. Greek), defeated Macedonian (No. Greek), defeated

Athens/Sparta and then mighty Persian Athens/Sparta and then mighty Persian EmpireEmpire

The Hellenic Age (323-146 BC)The Hellenic Age (323-146 BC) Greek culture spreads across Greek culture spreads across

Alexander’s Empire, dominates until Alexander’s Empire, dominates until replaced by the Romansreplaced by the Romans

Found great cities like Alexandria and Found great cities like Alexandria and AntiochAntioch

Some of Alexander’s successors appear Some of Alexander’s successors appear in the Old Testamentin the Old Testament

Hellenic (Greek) CultureHellenic (Greek) Culture

ArchitectureArchitecture Columns, Symmetry, Marble, GrandColumns, Symmetry, Marble, Grand Usually temples dedicated to the GodsUsually temples dedicated to the Gods

LanguageLanguage Oldest Indo-European languageOldest Indo-European language

3500 years old3500 years old Common language for most of the Common language for most of the

Mediterranean at during peak of Greek Mediterranean at during peak of Greek cultureculture

Basis for future Latin scriptBasis for future Latin script

LiteratureLiterature Epic poems (Illiad and the Odyssey) Epic poems (Illiad and the Odyssey) Tragic playsTragic plays

Oedipus Rex, MediaOedipus Rex, Media

Pottery and CoinsPottery and Coins Distinct and sophisticated clay pots used Distinct and sophisticated clay pots used

to trade goods across regionto trade goods across region Coins detail the rise and fall of kings and Coins detail the rise and fall of kings and

citiescities

Religions and TraditionsReligions and Traditions The Greek pantheon of GodsThe Greek pantheon of Gods Each city-state had it’s own patron GodEach city-state had it’s own patron God

Athens- Athena/ Sparta- ArtemisAthens- Athena/ Sparta- Artemis

The RomansThe Romans

Roman CultureRoman Culture

Social StructureSocial Structure Family structure based solely around the fatherFamily structure based solely around the father

Only “patrician” families recognized under Roman lawOnly “patrician” families recognized under Roman law Slaves and freedmen accounted for large amount of populationSlaves and freedmen accounted for large amount of population

Latin LanguageLatin Language Two forms- spoken (vulgar) and classical (most documents)Two forms- spoken (vulgar) and classical (most documents) Latin forms the basis of the Romantic languages (became distinct by 9Latin forms the basis of the Romantic languages (became distinct by 9 thth C.) C.)

LiteratureLiterature Many military histories describing Roman and Greek victories (esp. Alexander Many military histories describing Roman and Greek victories (esp. Alexander

the Great)the Great) Tacitus, Caesar, and LivyTacitus, Caesar, and Livy

Also wrote epic poetry (Virgil and his Also wrote epic poetry (Virgil and his AeneidAeneid))

ArchitectureArchitecture Heavily reflects Greek culture- use of columns and marble, grand buildingsHeavily reflects Greek culture- use of columns and marble, grand buildings Building and city design spread through major areas of Roman control (London, Building and city design spread through major areas of Roman control (London,

Paris, Orleans)Paris, Orleans)

ReligionReligion Adopted majority of Greek beliefsAdopted majority of Greek beliefs

While Greeks had patron gods for cities, Romans worshipped more privately- many While Greeks had patron gods for cities, Romans worshipped more privately- many households were no different then templeshouseholds were no different then temples

Romans also were more willing to accept foreign gods from lands they conquered Romans also were more willing to accept foreign gods from lands they conquered (Christianity!!!)(Christianity!!!)

The Roman RepublicThe Roman Republic

508 BC to 27 BC508 BC to 27 BC End of Roman kings to Augustus’ End of Roman kings to Augustus’

seizure of powerseizure of power

The RepublicThe Republic Senate, early constitution- Roman Senate, early constitution- Roman

Law, census, citizenship, consuls Law, census, citizenship, consuls (army generals)(army generals) Inspiration for structure of US Inspiration for structure of US

governmentgovernment Senate- Senate- membership based on membership based on

wealth, age, and lineagewealth, age, and lineage Constitution-Constitution- shaped by struggles shaped by struggles

between the patricians and between the patricians and plebeiansplebeians

Rapid expansion of Roman power Rapid expansion of Roman power and size…and size… Defeat of Carthage during the Defeat of Carthage during the

Punic Wars (264 BC to 146 BC)Punic Wars (264 BC to 146 BC) Pompey the Great conquers Asia Pompey the Great conquers Asia

Minor, the Levant, Egypt, and Minor, the Levant, Egypt, and Spain (88 BC to 61 BCSpain (88 BC to 61 BC

Caesar conquers France (Gaul) and Caesar conquers France (Gaul) and invades Britain (59 BC to 44 BC)invades Britain (59 BC to 44 BC)

The Roman Civil WarsThe Roman Civil Wars

Caesar and Pompey fight for political Caesar and Pompey fight for political control of the Roman Empirecontrol of the Roman Empire 49 BC to 46 BC, Pompey is 49 BC to 46 BC, Pompey is

assassinated in Egyptassassinated in Egypt

Caesar assassinated in 44 BCCaesar assassinated in 44 BC Caesar had begun to dismantle the old Caesar had begun to dismantle the old

Roman Laws in order to make himself Roman Laws in order to make himself dictatordictator

Senators acted first and assassinated Senators acted first and assassinated himhim

Octavian and Marc Antony fight a Octavian and Marc Antony fight a second civil warsecond civil war Octavian and Antony then succeed Octavian and Antony then succeed

Caesar as political leadersCaesar as political leaders Octavian controls west, Antony eastOctavian controls west, Antony east Senate finally backs Octavian in fear of Senate finally backs Octavian in fear of

Antony and the eastern influences of Antony and the eastern influences of CleopatraCleopatra

Octavian wins and established the Octavian wins and established the Roman Empire- Roman Empire- Octavian wins the Battle of Actium, 31 Octavian wins the Battle of Actium, 31

BCBC Octavian granted title of Emperor by Octavian granted title of Emperor by

the Senate in order to end the warsthe Senate in order to end the wars

The Roman EmpireThe Roman Empire

The Pax RomanaThe Pax Romana ““The Roman Peace”The Roman Peace” 27 BC to 180 AD27 BC to 180 AD Consolidation of power and end of major Consolidation of power and end of major

internal warfareinternal warfare

Julio-Claudian Emperors (14-68 AD)Julio-Claudian Emperors (14-68 AD) Nero, Caligula, Cladius…Nero, Caligula, Cladius… Mainly corrupt and all died under Mainly corrupt and all died under

mysterious circumstancesmysterious circumstances Left empire in state of insecuritLeft empire in state of insecurit

The 5 Good Emperors (96-180 AD)The 5 Good Emperors (96-180 AD) Trajan, Hadrian, Marcus AureliusTrajan, Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius Empire reached it’s greatest extentEmpire reached it’s greatest extent Peaceful successions- though not Peaceful successions- though not

dynasticdynastic

Constantine (306-337 AD)Constantine (306-337 AD) From the good emperors to From the good emperors to

Constantine, Empire sees a steady Constantine, Empire sees a steady declinedecline

Power struggles and external pressures Power struggles and external pressures threaten stabilitythreaten stability

Constantine divides empire into east Constantine divides empire into east and west to create stability, also and west to create stability, also welcomes Christianity as the state welcomes Christianity as the state religionreligion

Marcus Aurelius

Emergence of ChristianityEmergence of Christianity

Jesus crucified c. 30 ADJesus crucified c. 30 AD His “brother” James the Just is crucified in His “brother” James the Just is crucified in

62 AD62 AD

Paul the Apostle begins establishing Paul the Apostle begins establishing Christian communities in Asia Minor 50-62 Christian communities in Asia Minor 50-62 ADAD Community at Antioch first called ChristiansCommunity at Antioch first called Christians

Peter and Paul martyred in Rome (67 AD)Peter and Paul martyred in Rome (67 AD)

Roman Emperor Nero persecuted Roman Emperor Nero persecuted Christians in 64 ADChristians in 64 AD Considered cannibals because they ate the Considered cannibals because they ate the

“body of Christ”- popular theory as to why “body of Christ”- popular theory as to why the Romans resisted Christianitythe Romans resisted Christianity

2% of Roman Empire Christian by 250 AD2% of Roman Empire Christian by 250 AD 22ndnd century is also when the first “heretics” century is also when the first “heretics”

emergeemerge Shows us that Christianity was beginning to Shows us that Christianity was beginning to

splinter as it was organizingsplinter as it was organizing

Edict of Milan 313 AD, Emperor Edict of Milan 313 AD, Emperor Constantine converts of ChristianityConstantine converts of Christianity First Council of Nicea (Nicean Creed)- 323 First Council of Nicea (Nicean Creed)- 323

ADAD Rome and Constantinople considered to be Rome and Constantinople considered to be

the “first” churches among churchesthe “first” churches among churches

Fall of the Rome EmpireFall of the Rome Empire

Constantine splits empire in Constantine splits empire in 330 AD330 AD Rome for the west, Rome for the west,

Constantinople for EastConstantinople for East Attempt to preserve empire, but Attempt to preserve empire, but

in the end doomed the westin the end doomed the west

The Barbarian “Invasions”- 300 The Barbarian “Invasions”- 300 to 700 ADto 700 AD Mass migration of northern and Mass migration of northern and

eastern tribeseastern tribes Visigoths, Vandals, the HunsVisigoths, Vandals, the Huns Eventually overrun weakened Eventually overrun weakened

west, last emperor deposed Sept. west, last emperor deposed Sept. 4, 476 AD4, 476 AD

Theories about collapse…Theories about collapse… ““Germanization”Germanization” ““moral decay”moral decay” ~50% decline in population~50% decline in population ““the domino effect”the domino effect” Endless civil warEndless civil war

The Dark Ages in Europe The Dark Ages in Europe (476-1066)(476-1066)

Collapse of Western Roman Collapse of Western Roman authority (476 AD)authority (476 AD) Last Roman emperor deposedLast Roman emperor deposed

Christianity steps into political Christianity steps into political voidvoid Replaces temporal authority with Replaces temporal authority with

spiritual authorityspiritual authority Church preserves Roman Church preserves Roman

documents, knowledge, and documents, knowledge, and leadership at the local levelleadership at the local level

The “Barbarian” tribes settle, The “Barbarian” tribes settle, organize, and form early organize, and form early kingdomskingdoms Tribes begin to convert to Tribes begin to convert to

ChristianityChristianity Franks become the FrenchFranks become the French The Helvetii become the SwissThe Helvetii become the Swiss The Angles become the EnglishThe Angles become the English Gothic tribes become Gothic tribes become

German/Italian/SpanishGerman/Italian/Spanish

The Eastern EmpireThe Eastern Empire

West falls, but the east stays West falls, but the east stays strongstrong Constantinople, founded by Constantinople, founded by

ConstantineConstantine Establishment of Greek Establishment of Greek

Orthodox Christianity Orthodox Christianity (Patriarch, more Independent (Patriarch, more Independent bishoprics)bishoprics)

Greek becomes dominant Greek becomes dominant political and religious languagepolitical and religious language

Eastern Empire expands Eastern Empire expands under Justinian (540s AD)under Justinian (540s AD) Temporarily re-unites Rome Temporarily re-unites Rome

and Constantinopleand Constantinople Peak of Byzantine powerPeak of Byzantine power

Islam emerges from the Islam emerges from the Arabian peninsula (630s AD)Arabian peninsula (630s AD) challenges Eastern Empire- challenges Eastern Empire-

eventually defeats and eventually defeats and destroysdestroys

The Abrahamic ReligionsThe Abrahamic Religions

The Abrahamic ReligionsThe Abrahamic Religions

3.8 billion followers3.8 billion followers

Monotheism, prophetic, Genesis, Divine revelationMonotheism, prophetic, Genesis, Divine revelation

JudaismJudaism 66thth century BC (2600 years old), centered in modern Israel century BC (2600 years old), centered in modern Israel

ChristianityChristianity 11stst century AD, 1900 years old, centered around the century AD, 1900 years old, centered around the

MediterraneanMediterranean

IslamIslam 77thth century AD, 1400 years old, centered around Arabia and century AD, 1400 years old, centered around Arabia and

MesopotamiaMesopotamia

AbrahamAbraham Common “ancestor” of all three religionsCommon “ancestor” of all three religions

AbrahamAbraham

The “founder” of The “founder” of monotheismmonotheism One GodOne God Common biblical ancestor of Common biblical ancestor of

all three religionsall three religions

Sent to Canaan (modern Sent to Canaan (modern Israel)Israel) Covenant with God, recognize Covenant with God, recognize

him and have people and landhim and have people and land

Jews and Christians Jews and Christians descend through Isaacdescend through Isaac Eldest son Eldest son

Muslims descend through Muslims descend through IshmaelIshmael Second son through a servantSecond son through a servant

JudaismJudaism

13.2 million followers13.2 million followers

Hebrew bibleHebrew bible

EthnoreligiousEthnoreligious Religious documents defines Religious documents defines

them as a nation/peoplethem as a nation/people

Authority based around texts Authority based around texts and religious lawsand religious laws The TorahThe Torah Jewish dietary LawsJewish dietary Laws

The CovenantThe Covenant Relationship between God and Relationship between God and

his peoplehis people

Long history of persecution Long history of persecution under the Romans and during under the Romans and during the Middle Agesthe Middle Ages As a minority, they were often As a minority, they were often

the scapegoats for all kinds of the scapegoats for all kinds of disastersdisasters

ChristianityChristianity

~2 billion followers~2 billion followers

Began as Jewish sectBegan as Jewish sect Became distinct by 4Became distinct by 4thth century century Long struggle to create Long struggle to create

identityidentity Very early appealed to the Very early appealed to the

masses and those in powermasses and those in power

Centered around death and Centered around death and resurrection of Jesusresurrection of Jesus Jesus was God, neither the Jesus was God, neither the

Jews or Muslims believe thisJews or Muslims believe this

Instrumental in the Instrumental in the development of Europedevelopment of Europe Pope becomes major political Pope becomes major political

powerpower

IslamIslam

1.6 billion followers1.6 billion followers 13% Indonesia, 20% Arab 13% Indonesia, 20% Arab

countries, 31% Indian countries, 31% Indian SubcontinentSubcontinent

MuslimMuslim ““one who submits to god”one who submits to god”

God revealed the Qu’ran God revealed the Qu’ran to Muhammadto Muhammad Angel Gabriel spoke to Angel Gabriel spoke to

himhim

Sunni and Shia divisionsSunni and Shia divisions Division based upon who Division based upon who

should succeed should succeed MuhammadMuhammad 85% Sunni85% Sunni