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