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The Classical Era: A Transformation of Societies (500 BCE - 500 CE)

This text examines the transitions during the Classical Era, spanning from 500 BCE to 500 CE, highlighting the emergence of urban-centered and state-based societies that replaced earlier civilizations. The exploration includes both the continuity and change of social structures, the roles of monarchs, elite divisions, and the persistence of slavery. Although significant innovations occurred, they brought about modest changes rather than major transformations. It also emphasizes long-distance trade and communication networks, revealing how these interactions influenced cultural diffusion across Eurasia, Africa, and the Americas.

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The Classical Era: A Transformation of Societies (500 BCE - 500 CE)

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  1. Introduction Period 2

  2. Connecting Periods 1 & 2 • Even w/ their indiv. faults there was no turning back from the First Civ. • In the approx. 1000 years between 500 BCE & 500 CE new or enlarged urban centered and state based societies emerged to replace the First Civ. • This “second wave” will eventually collapse • “Third wave” will emerge 500 to 1500 CE

  3. Strayer and Period 2 • It’s not always about empires • This section of the book will occas. point out cont. historical dev. of gathering and hunting peoples, agr. cultural societies based around kinship principles and village life, emerging chiefdoms, & pastoral peoples.

  4. What changed? • Not much

  5. What didn’t change? • Monarch cont. to rule • Men dominate women • Sharp divide b/w elite & everyone else • Practice of slavery • No technological or economic breakthrough

  6. Zoom Lens • Significant changes did occur, but they didn’t result in major transformations (hence our earlier answer). • But if we look closely we can see some minor changes.

  7. Some of these changes: • Population grew • Growing size of states or empires • Impt. innovations • The most impt. perhaps – philosophical and religious systems • Modest innovations increased human ability to manipulate environment • Emergence of much more elaborate, widespread and dense networks of communication and exchange that connected people • Long distance trade routes = transregional interaction = cultural diffusion

  8. Name It • “classical era” • Tend to highlight the enduring traditions that cont. into modern times • Religion • Current country/civilization identities link to this era • Ch 4-6 focus on the Eurasian peoples • Ch 7 looks at Africa & Americas – do their histories during the classical era parallel Eurasian patterns or do they explore alternative possibilities?

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