Post-Classical Era

1. Post-Classical Era 600 C.E. - 1450 C.E.

2. Muhammad and His Message • Muhammad ibn Abdullah was born in Mecca to a wealthy merchant family in 570 C.E. • He married a wealthy widow Khadija in 595 and worked as a merchant starting at age 30 • At age 40 he received a message from Allah, the one true god, who would bring judgment to the world Muhammad (570-632 C.E.)

3. The Quran • The Quran was a compilation of Muhammad’s revelations written down by his followers • It would serve as the ultimate authority on the laws of Islam • Other works, such as the hadith, included other quotes and deeds of Muhammad

4. Shia vs. Sunni • The Shia sect of Islam supported Ali and his descendants as the one true caliph • The Sunni sect were known as the traditionalists and accepted the authority of the earliest caliphs • The two sects separated • The Shia created holy days for leaders and believed them to be infallible Shia patriarch Ali

5. The Sui Dynasty (589-618) • Chinese leader Yang Jian reunified China in 589 after 350 years of chaos following the Han dynasty collapse • The new Sui dynasty had a distinct style • built palaces and granaries • military expeditions into central Asia and Korea • High taxes and forced labor

6. Tang Dynasty (618-907) • The Tang dynasty started after the fall of the city of Chang’an • Emperor Tang Taizong began his reign in 627 and ruled with an iron grip on power • Although ruthless, his reign produced a time of prosperity and stability in government

7. Tang Achievements • The Tang built a vast transportation and communications network • The equal-field system divided land up according to the people’s needs • Government positions were filled according to highest scores on a civil service exam • China viewed itself as the center of civilization and forced its neighbors to pay tribute Entertainment of the Tang royal court

8. The Song Dynasty (960-1279) • Founded by Song Taizu in 960 • The large government bureaucracy and high salaries depleted the treasury • The nomadic Khitan and Jurchen groups began creating problems in north and central China • The Song government moved to the south and ruled China until 1279

9. Nara Japan (710-794) • Inspired by the Tang, one Japanese clan took authority over all Japan in 710 • They built a capital city at Nara modeled after the Chinese capital at Chang’an • The Japanese adopted Confucianism and Buddhism but retained their Shinto traditions One of Nara’s royal palaces

10. Heian Japan (794-1185) • Moved the capital to Kyoto in 794 • Japanese emperors were symbols of authority, not the true rulers of the nation • Power was held in the hands of the Fujiwara family • Chinese learning dominated Japanese education and politics Art of the Heian period

11. The Samurai • The samurai class was a class of warriors and provincial lords • They followed the Bushido code of loyalty, military talent, and discipline • They often engaged in ritual suicide to preserve their honor Traditional Samurai armor

12. Social Organization in Sub-Africa • Most societies were kin-based clans or tribes ruled by family based groups • Groups of villages united to form districts • Village chiefs were in charge of intervillage dealings Modern chiefs in Ghana

13. European Improvement in Agriculture • Crop rotation and the growth of beans enriched the soil • The increase in animal domestication also improved soil • Numerous books and lectures were written on proper household economies and agricultural techniques A typical feudal manor

14. The Crusades • Pope Urban II called on Christian knights to take the holy land in 1095 • A disorganized army led by Peter the Hermit fell failed • The first crusade led by French and Norman nobles seized Jerusalem in 1099 • Jerusalem was recaptured by the Muslims in 1187 Christian attack on Ma’arra, Syria

15. Later Crusades • By the mid 1200s five major crusades had been launched • The 4th Crusade (1202-1204) conquered Constantinople • Overall, the crusades failed to take over Palestine from the Muslims Crusaders enter Constantinople

16. Aztec Upper Class • The warrior elite held the upper class of the social hierarchy and held most of the wealth and privileges • Women had no public role but were honored for being mothers and sometimes warriors • Priests were also high ranking: read omens, presided over rituals, and some became rulers Aztec warrior of the 15th century

17. Aztec Lower Class • Most Aztecs were farmers or slaves who worked to pay tribute or serve public works projects • Many slaves worked as household servants • Artisans and craftsmen were valued for their production of luxury items, but trade was risky An Aztec slave market

18. The Incas • Originated near Lake Titicaca in the Andean highlands • Under the reign of Pachacuti they launched attacks against neighboring tribes in 1438 • The Incas built a huge empire spanning spanning nearly 4,000 kilometers from north to south Inca ruins at Muchu Picchu

19. Inca Government and Military • Capital city of Cuzco was home to nearly 300,000 people by the 1400s • An extensive road system linked the entire empire • Runners were used to maintain communication and spread the Quecha language • The Inca ruled as a military and administrative elite • Use quipo for record keeping Inca ceremony at Cuzco, Peru