NaimExplain

What were some of the main causes of the decay and fall of the western Roman Empire? Answer: Epidemic disease caused loss of about a quarter of the population (as well as lead poisoning). "Barracks emperors" seized power, which led to chaos. External pressures such as germanic invasions caused Rome to collapse, after it was already weak.

How did China's culture change after the decline of the Han Dynasty? Answer: The fall of the Han dynasty presented a spectacle of chaos and disorder around China. War and nomadic Invasions led to population decline. Buddhism received strong support from nomadic people, as Indian missionary efforts attracted Chinese as well. Buddhism provided an important cultural foundation for the restoration of unified political order.

What were the long-term effects of the spread of disease along the silk roads? Answer: Decline of population was a leading factor in the collapse of both the Roman and Han empires.

Why is the rise of Manichaeism such a good example of the relationship between long- distance trade and the spread of religion? Answer: Cultures mashed together because of silk roads, Manichaeism is a mash of christianity, zoroastrian, and buddhism.

How did the silk roads facilitate the spread of Hinduism and Christianity? Answer: Beliefs spread quickly because of it was easier for missionaries to be sent to those areas.

How did Buddhism become the most popular faith in all of east Asia? Answer: Oasis communities spread beliefs to steppe people. Foreign merchants brought beliefs to China, and became more and more popular as Chinese began to respond enthusiastically to their beliefs.

In general, what regions were trades along the silk roads? Answer: Mediterranean basin, Roman and Han empires, Central Asia, and north Africa.

How did the trade networks of the Hellenistic era help set the stage for the silk roads? Answer: Maritime trade connected smaller areas together. Coinage became common. Economic and political development fostered economic organization and the emergence of states in the distant lands that they brought into interaction.

What developments in the classical era helped reduce the risks inherent in long-distance trade? Answer: Roads and sea lines, people traveled in caravans rather than as individuals.

Spread of epidemic disease: What consequences did it have on the Han and Roman empires? Answer: The large scale outbreaks (of smallpox, measles, bubonic plague, etc) caused the populations to decline sharply, wiping out up to a quarter of the population in Rome! Disease also claimed to life of emperors in Rome, such as Marcus Aurelius. Epidemics appeared later in China, but by 600 CE, China's population had dropped by a quarter to a third.

Spread of Xtianity: How was it helped along by the established trade routes? How did it evolve in the later Roman period? Answer: Missionaries helped spread to the religion. People, such as Paul of Tarsus and Gregory the Wonderworker, were known for performing miracles and popularizing Xtianity throughout the Mediterranean. In the later centuries, is became the prominent religion in Rome. In the later centuries (3rd cen) Xtians began to abandon mediterranean societies and live as hermits, devoting there lives to prayer and praise of God. By the 5th cen, Asian and Mediterranean Christians had gone separate ways, and branches of Christianity formed.

Spread of Buddhism vs. Hinduism vs. Christianity. What were the social and cultural implications of this movement of different faiths? Answer: Christianity : formed in Roman Empire. Spread beliefs through missionaries along Silk Road. Spread relatively quickly and become popular in Mediterranean (prominent religion in Rome), then Southwest Asia from 2nd to 7th century. Communities of people had same beliefs. Buddhism : established self in northern India by third century BC. Successful in attracting merchants, who helped spread beliefs. Gradually made way along Silk Road to Iran, Central Asia, China and Southeast Asia, first getting established in Oasis towns. Hinduism : similar to Buddhism, but mainly spread to Southeast Asia. Buddhist or Hindu advisors appointed in smaller kingdoms and associated selves with honored religious traditions.

What are the advantages/disadvantages of trade? How did trade along the Silk Road influence the societies that engaged in trade? Answer:  Advantages : culture, religion, and goods spread, made economy thrive and communication increase. Disadvantages : Disease spread. Trade on Silk Road was accessible, so even nomidis people could do it.

Han vs. Roman Empire: Are there common problems that always help to explain the collapse of powerful empires?  (Use examples from earlier empires to back up your arguments) Answer: They grew too fast, emperors didn't set up proper heir, bad emperor took power. Both societies had bureaucracies, who wanted and got more power. Both populations were effected by disease. Both faced nomadic force attacking and taking over them.

How was the religion of Manichaeism representative of the increasingly cosmopolitan world in which it developed? Answer: The religion was developed as a blend of over religions beliefs. This is similar to the blend of cultures and societies that was occurring because of the silk roads and increase travel and trade. Manichaeism also offered rational explanation for the presence of good and evil and allowed people to achieve personal salvation.

Christian church: What challenges did it face? How does it's rising relate to Roman History? Answer: Roman authority were against Xtianity bc Xtians refused to observe state cults that honored emperors divine being. Campaigns were launched against Christianity. Imperial officials viewed Christianity as irreligion bc they declined to participate in state-approved religious ceremonies and considered Christianity a menace to society bc zealous missionaries attacked other religions that sometimes generated violent conflicts.

Collapse of Roman Empire: What events allowed for the collapse? What's Rome's legacy? Answer: Internal and external problems allowed for the collapse. Bad emperors, disease, and germanic invasions were the main causes for the collapse. Christianity was the most prominent thing the Roman Empire left behind.

Manichaeism: Who was Mani? What's his philosophy? Was it an influential religion? Answer: Mani is a prophet who is a devout Zoroastrian. He was influenced by christianity and buddhism. He saw the need for a prophet for all humanity, and promoted a blend of Zoroastrian, christianity, and buddhism, creating Manichaeism. Philosophy: dualist, viewed world as site of cosmic struggle between the forces of light & darkness, good & evil, spiritual & material world. Mani urged followers to reject worldly pleasures (meat, sex, rich foods, etc), and rise toward light. The religion became popular and had a strong appeal because to offered a rational explanation for the presence of good and evil, while allowing ppl to receive personal salvation.

Examine the collapse of Han. What factors explain how this occurred? How influential in Han Dynasty on Chinese History? Answer: Hsiung Nu (aka Xiongnu) was a threat to the north, Wu had to build the Great Wall to protect empire. Han empire had to give a lot of supplies to Hsiung Nu in order to keep land unharmed. The government allied with wealthy land owners. Peasants had increasing economic pressure, which fueled the Yellow Turban rebellion. Generals stopped recognizing emperor as they became more powerful. Dynasty divided into three kingdoms (Wei, Wu, and Shu). After the Han dynasty, Confucianism became irrelevant, but Daoism and Buddhism were still popular. Han empire invented earthquake devise and anesthesia.

What calamity was Cyprian talking about in saying "It requires enormous greatness of heart to struggle with resolute mind against so many onslaughts of destruction and death"? What ways were the spread of disease and Christianity alike? Answer: Both Christianity and Epidemic disease led to the decline of the Roman Empire. Both spread quickly. Many Christians were dying from epidemic, and imperial authorities blamed them for the outbreak because they refused to honor pagan gods.