Decline of Classical Civilizations

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Decline of Classical Civilizations

• Similarities and Differences in the collapses of
  the Han, Gupta and the Roman Empire

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Similarities in Decline

• A combination of internal weakness and invasion
• Between 200 and 600CE, all 3 classical civs
  collapsed entirely or in part
• During the 400 years, all 3 were invaded by the
  pastoral nomads in Central Asia known as the
  Asiatic Huns
• All 3 civs had problems politically long before
  invaders affected them (Rome and Han suffered
  from serious internal problems and Guptas were
  dealing with regionalism)

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The Decline of Han China

• By 100 CE, Confucianism was losing its influence
  among the bureaucrats ? corruption increased
• Local landlords began to gain power ruling their
  lands as they wished ?became less centralized
• Peasants already heavily taxed were burdened with
  new taxes and increasing demands of the
  landlords many became day laborers on large
  estates some sold children into slavery
• Daoism overshadowed Confucianismwhy? Impact?
• Civil war occurred ? increased protest
• When the Xiongnu Huns invaded, the dynasty was
  already too weak to defend itself
• Han collapsed in 220 CE

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Aftermath of Han Collapse

• Epidemics killed nearly half the population and
  the weak govt of the next dynasty was NOT doing
  enough to remedy the situation
• Regional rule and weak dynasties rose and
  fellsignificance?
• Cultural unity was threatened as Buddhism (a
  foreign religion) spread and practicedwhy would
  people embrace this religion?
• This nearly 400 years of instability is known as
  the Era of Division or the Era of Six Dynasties
  (220 -589) the Sui Dynasty would revive China
  from 589-618 and then the Tang in 618 brought
  back glories of Hanmeaning?
• All in all, there was NO permanent disruption!
  The classical structure of China was too strong
  to be overturned what remained, although
  weakened for a while, was the bureaucracy,
  Confucianism dynastic cycle and mandate of
  heaven. The Xiongnu eventually assimilated.

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The Decline of Gupta India

• The decline of India was less drastic than Han
  China only because India is not known for its
  strong unifying politics
• By the 5th century, Gupta leaders were having
  trouble controlling regional princes
• By 500 CE, the White Huns were invading Northern
  India the empire collapsed in 535 CE

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Aftermath of Gupta Collapse

• As in China, the White Huns assimilated in Indi
• What religion would they convert to?
• became part of Kshatriya Caste)
• For several centuries, no native ruler was able
  to build a large centralized state
• Achievements in science and math declined as well
  as the economy
• Even after collapse, many continuities existed
• regionalism lasted for many centuries
• Buddhism continued to decline in India
• Hinduism remained the dominant religion
• caste system still helped define the political,
  economic and social way of life
• Tamil kingdom continued to have strong merchant
  activity

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Decline of the Roman Empire

• More disruptive than the two Asian Classical
  Empires
• Decay occurred after 180 CEwhy?
• Weak emperors ruled fairly consistently until
  collapse in 476
• Plagues swept over the empirehow come China and
  Rome were both affected?
• The population decreased from 1 million to
  250,000
• Hard to recruit troops for Legion (army)
• Germanic soldiers were hired to guard
  frontierwere they loyal?
• Romes upper classes became lazy and consumed by
  pleasureimpact on bureaucracy and economy?
• Little to no innovation in science, math, arts
  and literature
• Farmers turned to large landholders for
  protection which began decentralization and the
  beginnings of self-sufficiency

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Two Emperors who tried really hard to bring back
Rome

• Diocletian (284-305)
• Attempted to reform administration and tax
  collecting
• Divided the empire into West and Eastwhy?
• Insisted on being worshipped as a god to
  strengthen power of govtwhat is the effect?

• Constantine (312-337)
• Set up a second capital at Constantinopleimpact?
• Edict of Milan in 313impact?

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The Final Years of Rome

• Dividing the empire made the west weakness worse
• Legion deteriorated further
• Germanic invasions occurred in the 400s (moved
  into Europe as a result of Huns)which part of
  the empire was more unprotected?
• Germanic Kingdoms were established in 425 and the
  last Roman Emperor was dethroned in 476

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Aftermath of Fall of Rome

• Romes fall split the unity of the Mediterranean
  lands
• Rome did not establish as strong of a
  bureaucratic tradition that China had nor had
  Rome created a unified belief system that could
  unify people enough (Christianity was embraced
  too late)these reasons were why Romes fall was
  more permanent than India and China
• The Eastern part, centered in Constantinople was
  a continuity and did not fallwent on to become
  the Byzantine Empire that would last for another
  1000 years collapsing in 1453 and carrying on the
  legacy of preserving Greco-Roman culturewho was
  the Byzantine ruler that preserved Roman law?
• The Western portion of Rome (Italy, Spain and
  points north) was where the empire collapsed
• There was actually a reduced level of
  civilization after 476 in the WEST crude
  regional kingdoms developed, cities shrank and
  trade almost disappeared, the west became
  DECENTRLIZED under feudalism and manorialism.
  BIG CONTINUITIES!
• Christianity was the only source of unity found
  throughout Europe and would remain that way for
  several more centuries