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Key Concept 2.1 The development and codification of religious and cultural traditions. 600 BCE to 600 CE “ The Classical Era”. Outline. Main Idea Codifications and further developments of existing religious traditions provided a bond among people and an ethical code to live by How? Judaism
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Key Concept 2.1The development and codification of religious and cultural traditions 600 BCE to 600 CE “The Classical Era”
Outline • Main Idea • Codifications and further developments of existing religious traditions provided a bond among people and an ethical code to live by • How? • Judaism • Hinduism • New belief systems and cultural traditions emerged and spread, often asserting universal truths • Buddhism • Confucianism • Daoism • Christianity • Greco-Roman philosophy • Belief systems affected gender roles • Other religious and cultural traditions continued parallel to the codified, written belief systems in core civilization • Shamanism and animism • Ancestor veneration • Artistic expressions show distinctive cultural developments • Literature and drama • Architecture
Main Idea As states and empires increased in size and contacts between regions multiplied, religious and cultural systems were transformed.
Religions and Belief Systems • Bond among people • Ethical code to live by • Influenced and reinforced stratification • Politically • Economically • Occupationally
Religious and Political Authority • Often merged as rulers used religion to justify their rule. • This also ensured the continuation of their rule. • Military and legal structures • Conflict easily generated • Beliefs and practices varied greatly within societies
Codifications and further developments of existing religious traditions provided a bond among people and an ethical code to live by. • How?
Judaism • Secular religion that focused on worldly benefits • Prosperity • Material goods • Successes • Promised deliverance through • Following ‘the Law’ • Covenant with God • Two types of Jews: • Original—covenant • Jesus’s followers—God’s grace is not guaranteed
Judaism • Monotheistic • Further enforced with the codification of the Hebrew scriptures • These scriptures reflected Mesopotamian cultural and legal traditions • Conquests contributed to the growth of diasporic communities around Meditteranean and Middle East
Hinduism • Caste system—place is society is preset and unmovable • Brahmans • Enforced traditions • Ex: sanctity of cows, burning widows on husband’s funeral pyre
Hinduism • Core beliefs were outline in the Sanskrit scriptures • Bagivad Gita • These formed the basis of Vedic religions that later became Hinduism • Contributed to • the development of social and political roles of a caste system • Importance of multiple manifestations of Brahma to promote teachings of reincarnation
New belief systems and cultural traditions emergedand spread, often asserting universal truths.
Buddhism • Core beliefs about desire, suffering, and the search for enlightenment preached by Buddha • Recorded by his followers into sutras and other scriptures • Reaction to Vedic beliefs and rituals dominant in South Asia • Changed over time as it spread through Asia • Mauryan Emperor Ashoka • Missionaries and merchants • Establishment of educational institutions
Buddhism • Humans are inherently evil • Nirvana—ultimate extinction of all sense of self • Prayer, meditation, and unselfish behavior • Reincarnation • Based on past actions • Two types: • Theravada Buddhism—influenced by Indian moral disciplines • The soul can advance to nirvana through tiny increments and these transcend lifetimes • Mahayana Buddhism—influenced by Chinese principles • The soul could reach nirvana in one single lifetime
Buddhism • How did it spread? • Silk Road activities • Ashoka • Military conquests • Trickled down from higher levels of society to lower levels • Ex: Empress Wu used Buddhist clergy to gain popularity which caused her people to convert • Naval trade routes • Korea, Malaysia, Japan
Buddha and Ashoka • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Nn5uqE3C9w&list=PLBDA2E52FB1EF80C9
Confucianism • Core beliefs and writings originated in the writings and lessons of Confucius • Elaborated by key disciples who sought to promote social harmony • Outlined proper rituals and social relationships for people in China—including the rulers
Confucianism Core Beliefs Influence • Man is born good. • World is morally neutral • The world does not decide the consequences of man’s actions • Human nature is inherent • People should have political rights • Ex: the right to protest—although Confucius advocated a single ruler • Reshape traditional institutions • Defined obligations associated with different social roles • Introduced the idea of individualism • Established religious standard for the conduct of economic life
Daoism • Similar to Buddhism in the belief of detachment from the world in order to reach immortality • Human ritual has the ability to change nature. • With control comes power • Lack of knowledge can lead to detrimental effects • Daoist rulers should enforce morals and virtues on his/her people
Daoism • Influence of daoism in Chinese history is far-reaching. • Literature • Art • Medicine • Science • Led to the beginning of the scientific methods such as observation, experimentation, description, and classification. • http://history.cultural-china.com/en/166History12924.html
Christianity Description Basic Beliefs • Based on core beliefs about teachings and divinity of Jesus Christ of Nazareth as recorded by his disciples • Drew on Judaism • Initially rejected Roman and Hellenistic influences • Divine love • Importance of faith • Jesus • Monotheistic • All-knowing God • All people are sinners • This separates people from God
Christianity • Romans were hostile to Christianity initially. • Eventually gained imperial support through Constantine. • Spread through missionaries and merchants in Afro-Eurasia. • Rulers converted conquered peoples. • Ex: Charlemagne • Trickled down from rulers to civilians. • Silk Road activity • Less successful than Buddhism • Roman Empire, Holy Roman Empire, Ethiopia, Armenia, Kiev, the Franks
Christianity from Judaism to Christianity • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG55ErfdaeY&list=PLBDA2E52FB1EF80C9
Greco-Roman philosophy • Emphasized logic, empirical observation, and the nature of political power and hierarchy • Uses logic and objective questioning to solve problems • The scientific method • Developed as a way to investigate the workings of nature • Attempted to view the universe as parts of a whole • Developed the concept of atoms as building blocks of matter
The Persians and the Greeks • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-mkVSasZIM&list=PLBDA2E52FB1EF80C9
Belief systems affected gender roles • Buddhism and Christianity encouraged monastic life • Confucianism emphasized filial piety • Respect for parents and ancestors • Buddhist cultures educated women and children in nunneries and nurseries • Islam • Men practiced polygamy • Women’s rights were limited
Other religious and cultural traditions continued parallel to the codified, written belief systems in core civilizations • Common religious and cultural traditions by 600 CE:
Shamanism and Animism • Persisted in cultures within and outside core civilizations because of their daily reliance on the natural world. • Communities questioned the cause of natural disasters and phenomenon. • Mythology developed to explain questions • Greece and Rome • Meals and sacrifices offered • Rituals involving the twelve deities
Ancestor veneration • This persisted in many regions. • Believed ancestors were either among them or were in the state of nirvana • Reincarnation/nirvana • Decorated tombs • Passed oral traditions from generation to generation
Artistic expression show distinctive cultural developments • Religion • Sculptures of gods • Based on worldly events and needs • Paintings of travels along the Silk Road
Literature and drama • In particular, these two forms influence artistic developments in neighboring regions and in later time periods. • Marcus Aurelius—Meditations • Influenced philosophy • Ban Gu—Book of Han • Told history of China from 206 BC to 25 AD • Books of the New Testament
Architecture and Sculpture • Factors the affected a society’s architecture: • Environment • Natural resources available for building • Wealth • Religion • Greco-Roman culture converging with Buddhist beliefs affected the development of sculpture and gave rise to unique works.