What were the beneficiaries of the Christian church?
Who was Constantine and how did he become ruler?
Constantine was the emperor of the Byzantine empire.
Rumor: his father (constantinus) was murdered, and Jesus told Constantine to make rome a Christian empire. C put symbol on shield and defeated killer Maximus.
History: Cs dad is killed by co ruler M. C defeats m, becomes emperor (first christian emperor.)
Constantine also created the edict of Milan: everyone in empire should e christian- but no one is forced.
The city of Byzantium had its name changed to Constantinople (empire became Byzantine empire)
Why was there fighting among Christians and what was done to resolve it?
There was fighting bc no rules/bible.
To solve fighting, the Christian faith was first summed up in a statement of belief at the council of Nicaea. It was decided that God was a supreme being comprised of father, son, and Holy Spirit (New Testament was created)
How did the empire change after the conversion of Constantine?
Who was Justinian?
He was the emperor of Byzantium who took over after Constantine died. He…
Who conquered and replaced the Parthanians in today’s Iran/Iraq area?
The Sasanians, led by Khusro Ianoshirwan, defeated the Parthians. The Sasanians were tolerant of all religions, and their empire was strengthened by control of the Silk Road (which passed through the Iranian plateau)
What trials did the Byzantine empire withstand?
Civil wars and the bubonic plague
Who were the Nestorian Christians?
Group of Christians from southwest Asia. Named by opponents for their acceptance of contested understanding of Jesus’s divine and human nature promoted by Nestorius (former bishop in Constantinople)They established religious communities across Asia, reaching all the way to China.
Who were the Sogdians, and what did they accomplish?
People from Central Asia. They…
Who was Chandragupta?
King of the Gupta dynasty. He was called King of kings, lord of lords. He had people write poems and plays about love and suffering. HINDUISM
How did Buddhism spread during the time of 300-600 C.E.?
Buddhist culture was spread by caravans and monks. The religion spilt into two sections: Mahayana Buddhism and Hinayana Buddhism.
What were the differences between Mahayana and Hinayana Buddhism?
Mahayana (greater vehicle) Buddhism:
Hinayana (lesser vehicle) Buddhism:
***greater and lesser vehicle Buddhists fought with each other over beliefs.
How did the western part of the Roman Empire fall?
Barbarian immigration/fighting (goths and Huns)
What was Hinduism like?
stemmed from brahmanic Vedic religion, did not claim to be universal faith
Brahma- birth, past
Vishnu- existence, present
Shiva- death, future
Were main gods, represented three phases of universe, three expressions of eternal self (atma)
Other aspects of religion were…
How was the code of manu created, and what was it?
In India ( Southeast Asia), there was no centralized empire to make rules. Instead, a form of cultural synthesis called the Sanskrit Cosmopolis (based on Hindu beliefs and articulated in the Sanskrit language) was created. Sanskrit became important/common in region. But Brahmins knew language best, and use this power to circulate ideals on morality and society in special texts. Most imp was code of Manu. Full of laws! Esp showed how to follow Varna/Jati system, obey social norms
What was the most important part of China after the Han dynasty broke apart?
The northern Wei dynasty.
What were some characteristic of the northern Wei dynasty?
***kept chinese way of life
How did Daoism change after the Han Dynasty?
Two new traditions were created:
1: organized and community oriented, involved heavenly masters who as mortals guided religious groups/parishes. Followers sought salvation through virtue, confession, and ceremonies.
2: more individualistic, attempted to reconcile Confucian classical learning with Daoist religious beliefs in occult and magic. Trance/meditation controlled human physiology. Skilled practitioner could accumulate religious merit, prolong life. DAOISTS WANTED ETERNAL LIFE!
What was Buddhism like in China?
Buddhist scholar/missionary Kumarajiva spread Madhyamika (Middle way) Buddhism in China.
Madhyamika Buddhism:
What were the three groups living in Sub-Saharan Africa and mesoamerica?
The Bantus
The Teotihuacans
The Mayans
Who were the Bantu people?
People from sub-Saharan Africa. They…
Who were the Teotihuacans?
Teotihuacan was city state that formed in mesoamerica where Olmecs used to be (central Mexico)
Who were the Mayans?
People living in Carribean region of Yucatan, flourished into eight century.
Where was the city of Mecca, and what were some of its characteristics?
It was located in the Hijaz, the western region of Arabia bordering Red Sea.