Transcript Classical Asia

Classical Asia
Classical Asia

India and China
 Similarities
to ancient Near East?
 Differences?
India
• Origins of Indian
Civilization
– Indus Valley
civilization
(ca. 2500-1700 BC)
– ARYAN migrations (ca.
1500 BC)
• Aggressive nomads
• Extended rule across
northern India
• Settled, subjugated
“inferior” Indians
India
• The Caste System
– Caste: social unit into which individuals were
born  dictated most aspects of life
– Classes
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BRAHMINS
Warriors (Kshatrijas)
Merchants and farmers (Vaisyas)
Common laborers (Sudras)
Untouchables
– Results: stratified, immobile society
India
• Hinduism
– Polytheistic
– Sacred texts
• VEDAS: explained relationship between gods and humans, prayers and incantations
• UPANISHADS: philosophical speculations about human dilemma
– Chief deities: Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva
India
Ganesh
Kali
India
Sanskrit
India
India
• Fundamental Hindu
Principles
– Our illusory world vs.
real and permanent
unseen world
– Wheel of Life
– KARMA
– End goal: MOKSHA
Buddhism
• Buddhism
– Began as revolt within
Hinduism
– SIDDHARTHA
GAUTAMA
(563-483 BC)
• Troubled by human
misery, sought answers
• Meditation 
enlightenment 
Buddha
• Disciples
Buddhism
• Fundamental Principles of Buddhism
– Anyone can attain spiritual bliss
– Four Noble Truths
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Everything is pain
Origins of pain: desire
Extinction of desire  NIRVANA
Follow way of Buddha  end of pain
– Spiritual goals
• Self-control
• Conquer self, desire  release from Wheel of Life
Buddhism
Buddhism
• The Two Branches of Buddhism
– Theravada
• “Pure” form of Buddhism
• Monastic life!
– Mahayana
• Doctrines of Buddha: “initial step”
• Buddha, BODHISATTVAS can provide spiritual
assistance
• Monastic life not necessary
India
• The Mauryan Dynasty
(322-185 BC)
– India had been “regional”
– Foreign invasion,
creation of Bactria 
rise of Chandragupta
(r. 322-298 BC)
– The Mauryans
• Unified much of India
• Military!
• Ruled through
bureaucracy
India
• Ashoka (r. 269-232 BC)
– Fierce conqueror!
– Ashoka and Buddhism
• Converted  devout,
pacifistic
• Instituted rule by dharma
• Promoted spread in India,
beyond
– Improved trade, sponsored
system of roads
– Reign  prosperity, peace
India
Ashokan pillar (269-232 BC)
Lion capital of pillar at
Sarnath (269-232 BC)
India
Great Stupa, Sanchi (1st cent. BC – 1st cent. AD)
India
India
India
• Questions?
China
• China during Antiquity
– The oldest continuous civilization
– Strong, expansionist state
– Ruled by dynasties:
• Zhou (ca. 1100-221 BC)
• Qin (221-206 BC)
• Han (220-202 BC)
China
• The Zhou
(ca. 1100-221 BC)
– Government
• Kings claimed mandate
from Heaven to rule 
“sons of Heaven”
• Extension of territory 
dependence on landlordvassals
• Regional rulers formed
independent armies 
kings reduced to
figureheads (402-201 BC)
– Emergence of
standardized Chinese
China
• Qin Shihuang
(r. 221-210 BC)
– “First Emperor”
– Deposed last Zhou  sole
ruler
– Centralized power
• Demanded lords appear at
his court, assumed their
estates
• Resistance crushed by
military
• China reorganized into
provinces
– Great Wall initiated
China
China
• The Han
(202 BC - 220 AD)
– Considerable expansion!
– Peace throughout Asia
– Huge government
bureaucracy
• Specialized ministers who
passed examinations
• Provided effective rule for
vast territory
China
• Chinese Philosophies and Religion
– Secular, not prone to speculation
– Ancestor worship
– Buddhism
China
Foguang Temple, Yingxian (1056)
China
• Confucianism
– System of ethics 
order, social
responsibility
– CONFUCIUS
(ca. 551-478 BC)
• Personal virtue,
reverence for tradition
 good political life
• Obey, respect superiors
• Advice for leaders:
behave modestly, love
wisdom
Confucius
China
• Daoism
– Dao: “the way of nature”
– Stressed harmony,
mystery of nature
– LAOZI (5th cent. BC)
• Nature contains inherent
principles
• Submission to Dao 
happiness
• Withdrawal from world,
contemplation of Dao 
true understanding
– Political activity, learning:
irrelevant for a good life
Laozi
China
China
China
• Questions?
Classical Asia

India and China
 Similarities
to ancient Near East?
 Differences?