Asian Studies Reviewer

Republic of the Philippines
P angasinan S tate U niversity

San Carlos City Campus
San Carlos City, Pangasinan
ASIAN STUDIES (SSE 105)
CHAPTER 2: Evolution of Early Man in Asia

 Creationism- Life comes from a supreme being, the creator of all things, God.
 Creationism is the religious belief that nature, and aspects such as the universe, Earth,
life and humans, originated with supernatural acts of divine creation.
 The belief that the universe and living organisms originate from specific acts of divine
creation, as in the biblical account, rather than by natural processes such as evolution.
 Creationism at a broad level, a creationist is someone who believes in a God who is
absolute creator of heaven and earth, out if nothing, by an act of free will. Such a deity is
generally thought to be “transcendent” meaning beyond human experience, and
constantly involved in the creation.
 A doctrine or theory holding that matter, the various forms of life, and the world
were created by God out of nothing and usually in the way described in Genesis1:1-31.
 Beliefs on Creationism:
 A short time has elapsed since the beginning of everything.
 There are six days of creation.
 There was a miraculous creation of all life including Homo Sapiens.
 There was a worldwide flood sometime after the initial creation, through which only
limited number of humans and animals survived.
 There were other events such as the Tower of Babel and the turning of Lot’s wife into a
pillar of salt.
 ADAM and EVE. According to the second account of creation in the biblical book of
Genesis, Adam was created from the dust of the earth and placed in the Garden of
Eden; Eve, the first woman, was created from one of Adam’s ribs. Tempted by Eve,
Adam ate the forbidden fruit of Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, and the two
were expelled from Paradise for their disobedience.
 Evolutionism- Evolutionism used to denote the theory of evolution. Its exact meaning
has changed over time as the study of evolution has progressed.
 Evolution is the change in the characteristics of a species over several generations and
relies on the process of natural selection. The theory of evolution is based on the idea
that all species are related and gradually change over time.
 Evolution is the process of developing physical and biological change in a species over a
period of time. Natural changes and events forced species to adapt to the environment
while some faced extinction for being unable to do so. In this case, modern humans,

belonging to the genus Homo, are seen as by-products of events and processes that
occurred in the past.
 The biological transition of humans from its earliest state to its current physical and
biological makeup took millions of years to complete. Despite this, scientists, through the
help of archaeological pieces of evidence and modern technology, were able to identify
and distinguish distinct transitional stages of human evolution. These stages are
described below.
 Theory of Special Creation
 Carolus Linnaeuos- All living things came into existence in their present forms
especially and specifically created by nature.
 Theory of Evolution- Organisms might EVOLVE through time, with one type of
organisms giving rise to another type of organisms.
 Jean Baptiste Lamarck- “All knowledge that is not the real product of
observation, or of consequences deduced from observation, is entirely
groundless and illusory”
 Charles Darwin- “It is not the strongest species that survives, nor the most
intelligent, but the one most responsive to change”
-The Struggle for Existence
-Survival of the fittest
-Natural Selection
-MICROEVOLUTION
-MACROEVOLUTION

ASIA AS A HOME OF EARLY MAN

• Most anthropologists until the mid-20th century preferred Asia, over Africa, as the
continent where the first hominids evolved.
• The “Out of Asia” theory was a scientific theory that contended that modern humans first
arose in Asia.
• Out of Asia Theory- The rise of evolutionary thought in the late 19th century the out of
Asia theory gained many new proponents, many of whom believed that the missing link
would be found in Asia.
 Ernst Haeckel- Haeckel, a German evolutionary biologist, believed that
Hindustan (South Asia) was the actual location where the first humans had
evolved.
 Eugene Dubois- A Dutch paleoanthropologist and proponent of the out of Asia
theory. He discovered the skeletal remains of the first representative Homo
erectus found in Java in 1891 on the banks of Solo River, East Java, Indonesia.
The find later became known as Java man.
 Roy Chapman Andrews- Central Asiatic Expeditions. He visits parts of Central
Asia including China and Mongolia to search for the origins of humankind. A
Paleontologist who believed humans originated in Asia also include Johan
Gunnar Andersson, Otto Zdansky and Walter W. Granger
 William Boyd Dawkins- Later, the discovery of “Peking man” persuaded
anthropologist up until the 1930s that Asia was most likely that cradle of human
species. He wrote that the tropical region of Asia was “the probable birth place of
human race”.
 Alfred Cort Haddon- There is reason to believe that mankind did not originated
in Africa; but that all main races in that continent reached it from Southern Asia.”.
PREHISTORIC PERIOD
• Old Stone Age (Paleolithic)- The Paleolithic period is the first phase of the Stone Age.
This period started the creation and use of crude stone tools which are the most
primitive among the three periods. The word "Palaeolithic" is derived from the Greek
words palaios (old) and lithos(stone) to collectively mean "old stone age."
• Paleolithic began with the appearance of the first human beings. T
• he early humans were nomads.
• These early human were hunter gatherers.
• They use stone tools.
• The beginnings of domestication and agriculture.
• Cave paintings have been found during this era.
• New Stone Age (Neolithic)- The word "Neolithic" was derived from the Ancient Greek
words neos (new) and lithos (stone) that collective translates to "new stone age. “
• The Neolithic or New Stone Age (7 to 10,000 years ago) pertains to a stage of culture
following the Paleolithic and is characterized by the use of polished stone implements,
development of permanent dwellings, cultural advances such as pottery making,
domestication of animals and plants, the cultivation of grain and fruit trees, and weaving.
Also known as the Agricultural Revolution

• The change from hunting/gathering to primitive farming appears so abrupt that this
technological change is often characterized as the Neolithic Revolution. The discovery of
smelting and the creation of bronze tools has given the name Bronze Age to the Late
Neolithic period.
• Change from hunter-gatherers to farmers
• Systematic agriculture: the keeping of animals and growing food on a regular basis
• Animals used for meat, milk, wool, and work
• Rise of permanent settlements
• Neolithic age began with the practice of agriculture and cattle raising.
• During this period, human started to domesticate animals, (goats, sheep, cows).
• Humans at this stage stopped being nomads and their life become sedentary.
• The first man-made stone tools appeared in Paleolithic time becoming more elaborate
during Neolithic age.
• Invention of plow, sickle and hand mill.
• Domestication- The process of increasing human control in breeding animals or plants
to regulate certain traits that will make them useful for other human needs. The
domestication of animals and plants implied that humans stayed in a particular area to
enable their resources to grow and expand. Some plants and animals utilized for
domestication included wheat, barley, corn, nuts, cattle, goats, and sheep. Adaptation of
plants and animals for human use.
• The Paleolithic period saw humans as hunter-gatherers in society. They were nomadic
people who could easily transfer from one area to another to hunt animals or gather
plants for consumption and survival. This had been the practice until around 12,000 BCE
when humans started to domesticate animals and crops. This era of this newfound
lifestyle is called the Neolithic Revolution
• Sociopolitical Evolution of Man: Neolithic Revolution- The Neolithic revolution paved
the way for the creation of civilization through permanent settlements dictated by reliable
food supply.
• Development in domestication techniques and practices allow for a more complex
society and the possibility for urbanization.
• With the emergence of towns and cities came the birth of trade and marketplaces. This
led to the economy and a hierarchical society with public leaders and castes.
• A form of social stratification was developed. This created the idea of inequality and
ideas of social power and influence.
• Economic Developments- Because of the domestication of crops and animals,
abundant supplies of food and resources were maintained.
• A selective breeding process of plants and animals that would allow for the development
of new species was introduced.
• Biological Developments- There was increase in lifespan and human population
across civilizations. People learned to play different social roles apart from being farmers
(e.g. craftsman, priest, leader).
• Evidence for the Existence of the Neolithic Revolution- Here are some actual
evidences found to support the existence of this era.
• There were morphological changes among Neolithic people, including brain size and
mandible and simple dietary changes from solely eating plants to consumption of meat.
• A subterranean structure in Abu-Hureyra, Syria was found to have been built during the
Neolithic Revolution and served as a communal storage facility.

• Paleolithic people have fairly healthy teeth, but during the Neolithic Revolution, there
was an increased caries rate. Neolithic teeth were also more worn down and pitted,
owing to hard inclusions from poorly grounded flour.
• Molleson (1994) has proven that there were changes in the bones of women that were
task-related and associated with cereal grinding.
CHAPTER 3: Southwest Asia and its Civilization

 Southwest Asia often called Middle East
 Southwest Asia is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, the Caspian Sea,
southern Europe, northeastern Africa, the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, Black Sea,
and mainland Asia.
 It is composed of, by the following countries: ò Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria,
Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain ò Qatar, Oman, United Arab Emirates,
Yemen, Turkey, Cyprus, Iran.
 It is an ara with a turbulent history.
 Historically, it is where the first civilizations developed: Mesopotamia.
 Later, during medieval times, it was the center of very important trading routes.
 THE ARABIAN PENINSULA- A large part of Southwest Asia consists of the
Arabian Peninsula. The Arabian Peninsula is located between the Red Sea and
the Persian Gulf, and it is bordered to the south by the Arabian Sea. The Arabian
Peninsula is an arid region covered by numerous deserts.
 CLIMATE
 The majority of Southwest Asia has an arid (desert) climate.
 As a result of the arid climate, the majority of Southwest Asia is covered by
numerous deserts.
 Mediterranean, highland, semi-arid, and temperate climates are also found in
Southwest Asia.
 Ancient Civilization of Southwest Asia
 Birth of Civilization
 The first evidence of human civilization appeared in the Tigris and Euphrates
river valleys.
 The Greeks termed this area The fertile crescent/Mesopotamia which means the
land between the rivers.
 Several ancient civilizations thrived in this fertile plain “between two rivers”-
Sumerians, Babylonians, Hittites, Assyrians, Chaldeans and Persians
 People began to settle down in this area as a result of the development of
farming and the need for protection.

1. SUMERIANS 5000 B.C-2330 B.C

 One of the oldest civilizations starting around 3200 BCE
 No one knows where they came from but are believed to be the first nomads to
settle in the Fertile Crescent
 Made up of numerous city-states that were constantly fighting over land.
 Their texts include the first mention of the ‘Great Flood’ later talked about in the
Torah and Bible.
 Political setting: State- city and its surrounding area; ruled by a king; King had
both govt and rel. powers.
 monarchy- rule by a king or queen
 theocracy- political and religious leadership is combined
 Economic life: grew dates, grains, and vegetables; raised domestic animals;
grew flax for linen and wove woolen goods; worked as artisans and traders
 Socio-cultural status:
 Topà Kings, high priests, nobles Middleà lower priests, merchants, scholars
Bottomà peasant farmers, slaves
 Education: only upper-class boys were educated
 Sumerians created the first known formal education system (schools). Education
was first established for the purpose of training the scribes
 Religious beliefs: Polytheists
 An-Lord of Heaven
 Enlil-God of air and storms
 Enki- God of water and wisdom
 Daily life: very harsh and violent
Sumerians Contributions to Civilization
 Cuneiform – One of the oldest systems of writing and later adopted by cultures
including the Akkadians and Hittites.
 Astronomy – Mapped constellations that are still used today
 Arithmetic – Invented math by combining and modifying different number
systems from other civilizations
 Agriculture– First people to cultivate crop and animals on a grand scale; including
wheat, cattle, and sheep.
 Arches- Ziggurats often served religious purposes
2. AKKADIANS 2340-2200B.C.E.
 Political setting: Akkadian government was known as classical standard.
 The ensi was the main leader.
 The ensi, a preist- like figure, had to marry the goddess Inana, solidifying his
position.
 Economic life: Like most ancient societies, Akkad utilized irrigation for crops.
 Socio-cultural status: Ensis and Lugals

 Provincial Ensis
 Regular priests
 Nobles
 Peasants
 Slaves
 Religious beliefs: Polytheistic religion- Worshipped gods and goddesses of or
like those of the Sumerians
Akkadians Contributions to Civilization
 Akkadian artists discovered “lost wax”
 When Sargon was king military traditions such as spearman formations and
shield walls were established
 People began to use the language that the Sumerians had previously used
 Started a new form of calligraphy which they put on clay tablets with beautiful
scenes of mythology and festive life
2. BABYLONIANS 1792 B.C-1155 B.C
 Invaders from the Arabian Desert entered Mesopotamia & seized the city-state of
Babylon
 Hammurabi became the king of Babylon
 Hammurabi took control of the city-states in lower Mesopotamia & established
the Babylonian Empire
 The Babylonians adopted many Sumerian ways
 Political Setting: The ruler of Babylonia was the king, so it was an absolute
monarch who exercised legislative and judicial as well as executive powers.
 Economic Life:
 Babylonian Economy was based on Agriculture.
 Barter System
 They raised cattle and sheep
 Main crop was barley
 Socio-cultural Status: 3 main classes
 Awilu – free person of upper class
 Mushkenu – free person of low estate
 Wardu – slaves
 Education: Babylonian education starts at the age of eight. Education is
exclusive for children of wealthy families. They were taught in so called “tablet
house”.
 Religious beliefs: Polytheistic
 Babylonians worshipped many gods. One is Marduk, the chief god, god of the
city of Babylon. Festivals were held throughout the year for each specific god to
assure their favor.
Babylonians Contributions to Civilization

 Hammurabi’s Code
 Consisting of 282 laws, the code affected all aspects of life, including farming,
trade, wages & punishments.
 The Babylonians believed in astrology
3. HITTITES 1600 B.C-1200 B.C
 The Hittites Empire stretched from Mesopotamia to Syria and Palestine.
 The Hittites ruled Mesopotamia from 1600 BC to 1200 BC.
 Hittites were from Hatti, which was located in central Anatolia.
 Political setting: The Hittite governing institutions revolved around the king.
 Economic life: The Hittites engaged in a lucrative trade with neighboring lands,
particularly with the wealthy urban societies of Mesopotamia
 Socio-cultural status: At the top of Hittite society were the King and his kinsmen
– members of the “Great Family” who enjoyed special status and privileges.
 Religious beliefs: The Hittites had many gods.
 They adopted a lot of the gods from the Sumerians and the Old Babylonians.
 After they took over civilizations, they took their gods into their religious system.
Hittites Contributions to Civilization
 The Hittites were the first people to invent iron because they were a military
organization state
 They kept their cuneiform writings in clay envelopes
 Most important event is the raid of Mursilis in 1595, which ended the Amorite
dynasty in Babylon. Important Accomplishment and Event
4. ASSYRIANS 1300’s B.C-612 B.C
 The Assyrians were ruthless conquerors who overran Phoenicia, Palestine,
Babylonia & other parts of the Middle East.
 Their empire was the largest one the world had seen at that time.
 In battle, the Assyrians used bows with iron-tipped arrows, iron spears & swords
and battering rams to break through brick walls that guarded cities. Their armies
were the 1st to use men on horseback.
 The hated Assyrians terrorized the people with acts of violence & torture.
 The Assyrian empire lasted for 150 years before being destroyed by the
Chaldeans & Persians.
 Political setting: Central government with provincial governors
 Government office in each province
 Each governor reports directly to the king
 Conquered rulers required to pay tribute
 Conquered peoples required to pay heavy taxes
 Economic life: Based off agriculture & herding
 Not known for trade
 Possibly collected taxes from traders passing through the land

 Religious beliefs: Christianity started to be practiced

 Assyrian church was founded in 33 A.D. by Thomas, Bortholemew, and
Thadderus
Assyrians Contributions to Civilization
 The Assyrians were the 1st people to set up an effective system for governing an
empire.
 A great library was built in the capital city of Nineveh. It contained thousands of
clay tablets which enabled historians to learn about life in the ancient Middle
East.
5. CHALDEANS 612 B.C-539 B.C
 The Chaldeans helped overthrow the Assyrians.
 They took control of the Fertile Crescent & established the 2nd Babylonian
Empire.
 The Chaldeans were led by their strong king Nebuchadnezzar. He rebuilt
Babylon, which became the largest & most impressive city in the ancient world.
 Political setting: Absolute monarchy, well known king is Nebuchadnezzar
 Economic life: They were low on natural resources. But they did have grain,
oils, and textiles.
 Trading: The Chaldean Empire relied completely on the barter system.
 They would trade for timber, wine and precious stones.
 They traded either on foot or up the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers.
 The farmers irrigated their crops, so they had a surplus of food to trade.
 Business contracts were sealed with a cylinder wheel.
 Religion: The Chaldean religion is in fact an ancient Assyrian religion and they
are considered as Eastern Roman Catholics who worship under the Chaldean
rite
Chaldeans Contributions to Civilization
 The Chaldeans built the beautiful Hanging Gardens on rooftops in Babylon. The
Greeks called them one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the World’.
 The field of astronomy was further advanced by accurate observations of the
sun, moon, planets & stars.
6. PERSIANS 539 B.C-331 B.C
 The Chaldean empire declined after the after the death of Nebuchadnezzar.
 The Persian empire extended for 3,000 from Egypt to India. It lasted for about
200 years, reaching its height under King Darius I.
 Political setting: They were mostly, run by kings and allowed the satrapy
system.
 Economic life: The Persian economy was based on agriculture, grazing, mining,
and of course commerce.

 Socio-cultural status: social classes were the backbone of Persian society, at

the top of the social ladder was the King and his family. Then came the royal
family, where the aristocracy (priests, nobles and great merchants) was located.
The middle and popular classes (merchants, artisans, and soldiers) followed.
 Religious beliefs: The main religion of Persia was Zoroastrianism, a dualistic
religion with belief in two gods. The god Ormuz, who represents the good and the
god Ahriman, who represents evil.
Persians Contributions to Civilization
 A well-organized government was set up which;
 The empire was divided into provinces, each direct by a satrap (governor)
 Roads were built to speed trade and the government of the armies
 Conquered peoples were allowed to keep their religion, laws and local customs.
 Cultural diffusion, the exchange of ways of living, took place within various parts
of the empire.
 The Persian accepted the teachings of the Prophet Zoroaster, who said that the
world was a struggle between good and evil. After death, people who lived good
would go to heaven, while those who were evil would be sent to hell. This idea of
a final judgement is believed to have influenced Judaism and Christianity.
CLASSICAL AGE IN SOUTHWEST ASIA
1. ACHAEMENIAN EMPIRE
 The Achaemenid Empire also called the First Persian Empire, was an
ancient Iranian empire based in Western Asia founded by Cyrus the Great.
Ranging at its greatest extent from the Balkans and Eastern Europe proper in the
west to the Indus Valley in the east, it was larger than any previous empire in
history, spanning 5.5 million square kilometers (2.1 million square miles).
 It is notable for its successful model of a centralized, bureaucratic administration
(through satraps under the King of Kings), for its multicultural policy, for building
infrastructure such as road systems and a postal system, the use of an official
language across its territories, and the development of civil services and a large
professional army.
 The empire's successes inspired similar systems in later empires. The
Achaemenid Empire is also considered as the world's first superpower
 The Pasargadae- Serve as the Capital of Achaemenid Empire under Cyrus the
Great.
 Religious toleration and maintaining local traditions
• Cyrus was a successful military commander, but he also recognized the need to
leave the regions that he conquered in good economic order if they were going to
provide him with tribute revenues. To achieve this, Cyrus left local rulers in place
after conquering a region, and he allowed the local population to continue
practicing their preferred religious traditions. These policies ensured that

conquered regions continued to function economically and reduced the chance

that they would rebel against him.
 Political developments
• Cyrus’s son, Cambyses II, added to the Achaemenid empire by conquering
Egypt. While Cambyses II was away in Egypt, a man pretending to be his brother
tried to take control of the empire. Cambyses died in 522 BCE while returning
from Egypt to remove this pretender and was succeeded by a general named
Darius.
• Darius eventually established himself as the sole ruler of Persia and reconquered
the rebellious regions, growing the Achaemenid Empire to its greatest extent.
Partly as a response to the initial challenges that he faced, Darius reorganized
the empire by dividing it into satrapies, or provinces. For each satrapy, Darius
appointed a satrap- a political governor—and a military commander.
• Like most ancient rulers, Darius used religion to justify his power.
 Economic Reforms
• Darius introduced a standard currency-a gold coin known as a daric. Having a
standardized currency encouraged more economic activity within the empire by
• making transactions easier.
• The ability to concentrate wealth combined with the expansion of the territory
under Achaemenid control allowed Darius to pay for the construction of an
impressive new imperial capital, called Parsa, better known to history as
Persepolis, which in Greek means city of the Persians.
• The Royal Road-a highway running from the city of Sardis in the west to Susa in
the east, was completed during Darius’s reign. Darius created a spy network to
ensure that satraps were carrying out his orders and to watch for signs of
rebellion.
• Besides building an entirely new city, Darius also worked to improve many
existing cities with repairs and new construction. One particularly ambitious
project was digging a canal between the Nile River and the Red Sea to make
trade easier.
 Decline of Achaemenid Power
• In 499 BCE, the Greek city-states in Ionia rebelled against Achaemenid rule.
• In 490 BCE, Darius’s army was famously defeated by the Greeks at the Battle of
Marathon. Between 480 and 479 BCE, Darius’s son, Xerxes, was more
successful, but he ultimately failed to subdue the Greeks as well.
• In 334 BCE, Alexander of Macedon invaded the Persian Empire, and by 330
BCE, the Persian king, Darius III, was dead—murdered by one his generals.
Alexander claimed the Persian throne.
2. HELLENISTIC WORLD

 Hellenistic period refers to a period of time dominated by a fusion of Greek

language and customs with the culture of the Near East. The actual era of the
Hellenistic societies began with the life and death of Alexander the Great in 323
B.C.E. and ended with Rome's conquest of Egypt in 30 B.C.E.
 Alexander the Great (r. 336-323 BCE) of Macedon led his army on a series of
campaigns which successfully conquered the then-known world from Macedon,
through Greece, down to Egypt, across Persia, to India. Alexander's tutor was
the Greek philosopher Aristotle (384-322 BCE) who impressed upon him the
value of Greek culture and philosophy. As Alexander campaigned, he spread
Greek thought and culture in his wake, thus "hellenizing" (to make `Greek' in
culture and civilization) those he conquered.
 How did Alexander start Hellenization?
• First, his army was an international force comprised of people from highly
diversified backgrounds.
• Rather than suppressing the cultures in the areas he conquered, Alexander
adopted their customs for his own use and taught conquered peoples his own
traditions, as well.
 Alexander the Great and his Successors
• After Alexander’s untimely death in 323 BCE, his empire immediately began to
fall apart as his generals fought each other for supremacy. By 300 BCE, the
empire had broken into three main pieces, each under one of Alexander’s
generals.
• At its height, the Hellenistic world comprised the modern countries of Greece,
Albania, Macedonia, Southern Italy including Sicily, southern France and south-
eastern Spain, southern Ukraine, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Syria, Lebanon,
Israel, Jordan, Egypt, eastern Libya, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, much of Pakistan,
plus a large slice of central Asia.
• The Hellenistic period was brought to an end by the rising power of Rome.
 Hellenistic civilization
• The city-state (polis) had been the defining feature of Greek civilization, and one
of the most notable features of the period is that Alexander and his successors
founded numerous Greek-style cities right across the Middle East, as far as
Afghanistan and India.
• Within the wide Hellenistic world, many people of all races, particularly the upper
classes, came to speak and read Greek. Amongst humbler members of society,
at least in the cities, koine, “the common tongue”, a kind of colloquial Greek,
spread.
 Society and Economy
• Society in the Hellenistic kingdoms of the Middle East was divided into two
categories: a small ruling minority made up of people of Macedonian and Greek
origin and the great mass of the people who continued to live in rural villages and
who broadly clung to their ancestral way of life.
• The Hellenistic period was a time of economic expansion.

 Religion and Philosophy

 Religion
• The old religion of classical Greece, with its pantheon of gods and goddesses
such as Zeus, Diana, Athene and Apollo remained the foundational belief-system
for the Greeks and Macedonians now scattered around the Middle East, as well
as of course for those remaining in their homelands. The new circumstances of
the Hellenistic world, however, were bringing Greek religion face to face with the
religions of the Middle East, and vice-versa, with interesting results.
• The period also saw the rise of ruler-cults.
• The religious life of the Hellenistic world would not be complete without reference
to the communities of Jews which now existed in many cities throughout the
Middle East, and which began to spread in Greece as well.
• Another religion which affected the very eastern part of the Hellenistic world was
Buddhism.
• Magic and astrology were practiced widely amongst the populations of the
Hellenistic world, at all levels of society.
 Philosophy
• The great tradition of Greek philosophy continued during the Hellenistic period.
The philosophers of the classical period, especially Plato and Aristotle, continued
to be highly influential, but philosophical trends of Hellenistic times were
concerned more with the interior life of the individual, and how best he could live
the good life.
• The period is famous for two new schools of thought, Stoicism and Epicurianism.
• Stoicism (so named because its founder, Zeno of Citium (355-263 BCE), lectured
at the stoa in Athens) taught that a single supreme deity created the universe
and designed it to be guided by rational principles.
• Epicurianism was founded by the philosopher Epicurus (341-270 BCE). He
rejected the supernatural altogether, believing that the material universe was all
there is.
• Another influential school of philosophy, which had been founded in the 5th
century BCE but which gained prominence now, was Cynicism, founded by
Antisthenes.
3. PERSIAN AND ROMAN EMPIRE
 Cyrus the Great was the founder of the Persian Empire around 550 B.C.
 The Persian Empire conquered many empires. Some of them are: Mesopotamia,
Egypt, Syria, parts of the Asia Minor, and India.
 Persia dominated Mesopotamia from 612 BC to 330 BC
 Around 520 BC Darius I took over the Persian Empire and helped the empire
grow more.
 A group of Indo-European tribes, some nomadic, some settled
 The first communities in ancient Persia domesticated animals and planted such
crops as wheat and barley.

 The Persians were known for their hand painted pottery.

 Conquered people paid tribute to the Persian Emperor.
 There was little rainfall in Persia.
 The Persians used underground water sources for farming.
 Underground water sources are called Aquifers.
 GOVERNMENT
• The government in Persian was called Satrapy: a province or territory governed
by a satrap, a Persian governor.
• This form of government was similar to the Roman city-states.
• Persia and Rome’s government are very similar
• They both are ruled by republic to sustain their vast, conquered lands
 Darius’s new form of government
• During his career, Darius created a government, that many other governments
modeled themselves after.
• The new government include a tax collecting system, allowed locals to keep their
own customs and religions and had its own system of roads.
• It also appointed the Persian Empire with the official capitals, one at Susa and
one at Persepolis.
 RELIGION OF PERSIAN: Zoroastrianism
• The Persians worshipped many Gods until Zoroaster started a new religion in
about 600 B.C.
• Zoroaster taught that there were two forces in the world: a force of good and a
force of evil.
• Zoroaster taught that the world is a battle between the God of Good, Ahura
Mazda, and the Force of evil.
 ROMAN EMPIRE (800 B.C.)
• Rome was founded in the 800 B.C. at the lower valley of the Tiber River, central
locus for control of the rest of Italy
• Rome was founded by the twins Romulus and Remus, while just babies.
• Other ethnicities migrated to the region: Etruscans, Phoenicians, Greeks.
 Multiethnic Contributions to Rome
• Phoenicians- contributed maritime and commercial skills and phonetic alphabet.
• Etruscans-brought urban planning, chariot racing, the toga, bronze & gold
crafting, and also the arch.
• Greeks- the pantheon of gods and goddesses, linguistic and literary principles,
and aesthetic.
 Roman Republic: Roots
• Etruscans ruled the Latin but were overthrown in 509 BC
• Gradually, monarchy gave way to government by the people (res publica)
• Predominately comprised the patricians (aristocrats) and the plebians (farmers,
artisans, and other common folk.)
• Slaves formed a third category as the empire expanded.
• The rise of the republic was a slow process

Ancient Civilizations of the Fertile Crescent with

comparison to Egypt
Achievements and/or Reason for
People Geographic Location
Famous Ruler Decline/Cessation
Egyptians NE Africa 750 miles Medical, hieroglyphic writing Absorbed by the Roman
3100-27 downstream from 1st system, architecture and Empire
BCE cataract of Nile engineering, lunar calendar;
number system includes,
geometry
Hyksos Lower Egypt Chariots, ruled Egypt and Driven from Egypt by the
1800-1580 northward into Asia taught them the use of Egyptians and dispersed
BCE Minor chariots and compound bows
Summerian Lowest part of the city-states, cuneiform, Did not unite under one
s Tigris - Euphrates river arch/ziggurats, wheel, government and warred with
3500-2400 valley algebra/time measuring each other; conquered by the
BCE system Akkadians
Akkadians Entire area of Sargon (1st empire builder) Conquered by the Old
2400-2300 Mesopotamia (Tigris - Babylonians (Amorites)
BCE Euphrates river valley)
Old
Babylonian
s Most of the Fertile
Hammurabi's Code of Law Conquered by the Hittites
(Amorites) Crescent
1800-1600
BCE
Hittites Mostly western part of 1st peoples to smelt iron and Weakened by Sea Peoples
1600-1200 Fertile Crescent and use iron weapons; system of and conquered by the
BCE into Asia Minor laws Assyrians
Assyrians Fertile Crescent and military innovations: calvary, Conquered by the Neo-
(900-612 Egypt battering ram Babylonians (Chaldeans)
BCE)
Neo- Fertile Crescent and Nebuchadnezzar, city of Conquered by the
Babylonian Egypt Babylon, astronomy; brought Achaeminid Persians
s Jews to Babylon in exile
(Chaldeans
)
612-538
BCE
Persians Central Asia with an Cyrus the Great, Darius, Conquered by Alexander the
(Achaemini empire that eventually Xerxes, Zoraster Great of Macedon
d dynasty) reached from Greece to
1800-331 India and Egypt
Phoenician Asia Minor, Coastal Sea faring, establishment of Absorbed into other cultures

s areas of Lebanon and Carthage, purple dye,

1000-700 Palestine alaphabet
BCE
Lydians Asia Minor (Anatolia) Trade; first to introduce Conquered by Persians and
700-547 coinage absorbed into other cultures
BCE
Hebrews North of Sinai Moses/Ten Commandments, Conquered by the Neo
1200-586 peninsula and south Mosaic Law, ethical Babylonians, dispersed in a
BCE of the Jordon River monotheism (law and the great diaspora, remained a
prophets) viable ethnic/religious group
CHAPTER 4: CIVILIZATIONS IN EAST ASIA

 CONFUCIANISM
 Confucianism is often characterized as a system of social and ethical philosophy
rather than a religion. In fact, Confucianism built on an ancient religious
foundation to establish the social values, institutions, and transcendent ideals of
traditional Chinese society.
 The sense of religious identity and common moral understanding at the
foundation of a society’s central institutions. It is also what a Chinese sociologist
called a “diffused religion” its institutions were not a separate church, but those of
society, family, school, and state; its priests were not separate liturgical
specialists, but parents, teachers, and officials.
 Confucianism was part of the Chinese social fabric and way of life; to
Confucians, everyday life was the arena of religion. The founder of
Confucianism, Master Kong (Confucius, 551-479 B.C.E.) did not intend to found
a new religion, but to interpret and revive the unnamed religion of the Zhou
dynasty.
 The Confucianism symbol means the “code of conduct”. It represents the code of
life, also called the water symbol.
 Concerned with the principles of good conduct, practical wisdom and prosper
social relationship.
 Has influenced the Chinese attitude toward life, set the patterns of living and
standards of social value, and provided the background for Chinese political
theories and institutions.
 Constants:
 Yi-upholding of righteousness and the moral disposition to do good.
 Li- following/respecting of etiquette and norms of daily life.
 Zhi- education is very important to him.
 Xin- Refers to keeping one’s word and being faithful to it. (Not to gods, but to
one's words,tasks,etc.)
 Virtues:
 Zhong- one should be loyal to their superiors or vice versa.
 Jie- one must exercise self-control.

 Xiao- children must respect their parents, but a child has a duty to dispute with
his/her parents if necessary.
 Yi- The same as the one in the five constants, which is the moral disposition to
do good.
 Contributions of Confucianism:
 Public Policies, Family codes, Relationship ethics, Education, Government.
 Influenced the Chinese people to respect their leaders and their leaders to set a
good example as well.
 Explained humanity as ‘to love the people' and 'to love the masses extensively'.
 Development of everyone’s potential ability.
 The Golden Rule: “Don’t di into others what you do not want to do unto you”.
 The book of “The Analects of Confucius”.- Built on the foundational belief that
man is basically good.
 Teachings:
 *Morality
 *The importance of justice, sincerity and filial piety- the duty of every son to serve
his parents.
 TAOISM
 Taoism (also spelled Daoism) is a religion and a philosophy from ancient China
that has influenced folk and national belief. Taoism has been connected to the
philosopher Lao Tzu, who around 500 B.C.E. wrote the main book of Taoism,
the Tao Te Ching.
 Taoism holds that humans and animals should live in balance with the Tao, or
the universe. Taoists believe in spiritual immortality, where the spirit of the body
joins the universe after death.
 LAO TZU- Little is truly known about the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu
(sometimes also known as Laozi or Lao Tze), who is a guiding figure in Daoism
(also translated as Taoism), a still popular spiritual practice.
 He is said to have been a record keeper in the court of the central Chinese Zhou
Dynasty in the 6th century B.C., and an older contemporary of Confucius. This
could be true, but he may also have been entirely mythical much like Homer in
Western culture.
 It is certainly very unlikely that (as some legends say) he was conceived when
his mother saw a falling star, or was born an old man with very long earlobes or
lived 990 years.
 TAO TE CHING
 The Tao Te Ching, or “The Way and Its Power,” is a collection of poetry and
sayings from around the third and fourth centuries B.C.E. that guides Taoist
thought and actions. While the author is traditionally believed to be the
philosopher Lao Tzu, there is little evidence that Lao Tzu existed at all. Rather,
the Tao Te Ching is a gathering of earlier sayings from many authors. This book
was given an origin with the philosopher Lao Tzu for cultural and political

reasons. Lao Tzu is sometimes understood as the image of the Tao, or a god,
and given legendary status.
 Yin-Yang
 Yin and yang elements come in pairs—such as the moon and the sun, female
and composed of many different, sometimes opposing, forces, these can coexist
and even complement each other. Sometimes, forces opposite in nature even
rely on one another to exist. The nature of yin-yang lies in the interchange and
interplay of the two components. The alternation of day and night is just such an
example: there cannot be a shadow without light.
 The balance of yin and yang is important. If yin is stronger, yang will be weaker,
and vice versa. Yin and yang can interchange under certain conditions so that
they are usually not yin and yang alone. In other words, yin elements can contain
certain parts of yang, and yang can have some components of yin. This balance
of yin and yang is perceived to exist in everything.
 Generally speaking, yin is characterized as an inward energy that is feminine,
still, dark, and negative. On the other hand, yang is characterized as outward
energy, masculine, hot, bright, and positive.
 POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS
 Imperial Government
 The history of China is generally presented according to the dynasty to which the
period’s ancient rulers belonged. From its inauguration in c. 2070 BC to the
abdication of its last emperor in 1912, China was ruled by a series of 13
successive dynasties.
1. Xia Dynasty (c. 2070-1600 BC)
 The Xia dynasty was founded by the legendary Yu the Great (c. 2123-2025 BC),
known for developing a flood control technique that stopped the Great Flood that
ravaged farmer’s crops for generations.
 As no contemporary sources exist, very little is known about the Xia period. For
this reason, some scholars believe it to be mythical or quasi-legendary.
2. Shang Dynasty (c. 1600-1050 BC)
 The Shang dynasty is the earliest recorded Chinese dynasty supported by
archaeological evidence. 31 kings ruled much of the area along the Yellow River.
 Under the Shang dynasty, there were advances in math, astronomy, art and
military technology. They used a highly developed calendar system and an early
form of modern Chinese language.
 Also historically known as the Yin dynasty, was a Chinese dynasty that ruled in
the middle and lower Yellow River valley in the second millennium BC,
succeeding the Xia dynasty and followed by the Zhou dynasty.

3. Zhou Dynasty (c. 1046-256 BC)

 The Zhou dynasty was the longest dynasty in the history of China, ruling the
region for almost 8 centuries.
 Under the Zhous, culture flourished and civilization spread. Writing was codified,
coinage was developed and chopsticks came into use.
 Chinese philosophy blossomed with the birth of the philosophical schools of
Confucianism, Taoism and Mohism. The dynasty saw some of the greatest
Chinese philosophers and poets: Lao-Tzu, Tao Chien, Confucius, Mencius, Mo
Ti and the military strategist Sun-Tzu.
 The Zhous also developed the Mandate of Heaven – a concept that was used to
justify the rule of kings, who had been blessed by the gods.
 The dynasty ended with the Warring States period (476–221 BC), in which
various city-states battled each other, establishing themselves as independent
feudal entities. They were finally consolidated by Qin Shi Huangdi, a brutal ruler
who became the first emperor of a unified China.
4. Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC)
 The Qin dynasty marked the beginning of the Chinese Empire. During Qin Shi
Huangdi’s reign, China was greatly expanded to cover the Ye lands of Hunan
and Guangdong.
 Although short-lived, the period saw ambitious public works projects including the
unification of state walls into a single Great Wall. It saw the development of a
standardized form of currency, a uniform system of writing and a legal code.
 The Qin emperor was remembered for his ruthless megalomania and
suppression of speech – in 213 BC he ordered the burning of hundreds of
thousands of books and the live burial of 460 Confucian scholars.
 He was also responsible for building a city-sized mausoleum for himself, guarded
by the life-sized Terracotta Army of more than 8,000 life-sized soldiers, 130
chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses.
5. Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 AD)
 The Han dynasty was known as a golden age in Chinese history, with a
prolonged period of stability and prosperity. A central imperial civil service was
established to create a strong and organized government.
 China’s territory was extended to most of the China proper. The Silk Road was
opened up to connect to the west, bringing in trade, foreign cultures and the
introduction of Buddhism.
 Under the Han dynasty, Confucianism, poetry and literature flowered. Paper and
porcelain were invented. China’s earliest written record on medicine, the Yellow
Emperor’s Canon of Medicine, was codified.

 The name ‘Han’ was taken as the name of the Chinese people. Today, the Han
Chinese make up the dominant ethnic group in China and the largest in the
world.
6. Six Dynasties Period (220-589)
 Three Kingdoms (220-265), Jin Dynasty (265-420), Period of the Northern and
Southern Dynasties (386-589).
 Six Dynasties is the collective term for the six successive Han-ruled dynasties
during this turbulent period. All had their capitals at Jianye, present-day Nanjing.
The name is derived from the six successive dynasties of South China that had
their capitals at Jianye (later Jiankang; present-day Nanjing) during this time: the
Wu (222–280), the Dong (Eastern) Jin (317–420), the Liu-Song (420–479), the
Nan (Southern) Qi (479–502), the Nan Liang (502–557), and the Nan Chen
(557–589).
 The Three Kingdoms period has been romanticized repeatedly in Chinese culture
most notably in the novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
 -people began to write about art and appreciate painting for its own beauty.
 Xie He and draw a timeline of the eras within the Six Dynasties
 Xie He—a writer, art historian, and critic in 5th century China—is most famous for
outlining six points to consider when judging a painting. These were taken from
the preface to his book, The Record of the Classification of Old Painters, written
circa 550 CE. According to him, the six elements that define a painting are:
 Spirit Resonance, or vitality, which refers to the flow of energy that
encompasses theme, work, and artist. Xie He said that without Spirit Resonance,
there was no need to explore a painting further.
 Bone Method, or the way of using the brush, which refers not only to texture and
brush strokes, but also to the close link between handwriting and personality. In
his day, the art of calligraphy was inseparable from that of painting.
 Correspondence to the Object, or the depicting of form, which includes shapes
and lines.
 Suitability to Type, or the application of color, which includes layers, value, and
tone.
 Division and Planning, or placing and arrangement, which corresponds to
composition, space, and depth.
 Transmission by Copying, or the copying of models, which means not only
from life but also from works of antiquity.
7. Sui Dynasty (581-618)
 The Sui dynasty, although brief, saw great changes in Chinese history. Its capital
was held at Daxing, present-day Xi’an.

8. Tang Dynasty (618-906)

 The Tang dynasty, sometimes known as the Golden Age of Ancient China, was
considered the high point in Chinese civilization. Its second emperor, Taizong,
was regarded as one of the greatest Chinese emperors.
 The period saw one of the most peaceful and prosperous periods of Chinese
history. By the time of the rule of Emperor Xuanzong (712-756), China was the
largest and most populous country in the world.
 Major achievements were seen in technology, science, culture, art and literature,
especially poetry. Some of the most beautiful pieces of Chinese sculpture and
silverwork originate from the Tang dynasty.
 The dynasty also saw the only female monarch in the history of China – Empress
Wu Zetian (624-705). Wu organized a secret police force and spies across the
country, making her one of the most effective – yet popular – monarchs in
Chinese history.
 Confucianism disintegrated as the dominant religion, making way for Taoism and
Buddhism. Literature flourished – it is thought that the legend of Hua Mulan was
composed during this time.
 Under Emperor Wen and his son, Yang, the army was enlarged to the largest in
the world at the time. Coinage was standardized across the realm, the Great Wall
was expanded and the Grand Canal was completed.
9. Five Dynasties Period, Ten Kingdoms (907-960)
 The 50 years between the fall of the Tang dynasty and establishment of the Song
dynasty were dominated by internal strife and chaos.
 In north China, 5 would-be dynasties followed one another in succession. During
the same period, 10 regimes dominated separate regions of south China.
 Despite the political turmoil, some key developments took place during this time.
The printing of books – which had begun in the Tang dynasty – became popular.
10. Song Dynasty (960-1279)
 The Song dynasty saw the reunification of China under the Emperor Taizu. Major
inventions included gunpowder, printing, paper money and the compass.
 Plagued with political factions, the Song court eventually fell to the challenge of
the Mongol invasion and was replaced by the Yuan dynasty.
11. Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368)
 The Yuan dynasty was established by the Mongols and ruled by Kublai Khan
(1260-1279), grandson of Genghis Khan. Khan was the first non-Chinese ruler to
take over the entire country.
 Yuan China was considered the most important part of the vast Mongol Empire,
which stretched from the Caspian Sea to the Korean peninsula.

 Khan created the new capital city of Xanadu (or Shangdu in Inner Mongolia). The
main centre of the Mongol Empire was later moved to Daidu, present day Beijing.
 The Mongols’ reign in China came to an end after a series of famines, plagues,
floods and peasant uprisings.
12. Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)
 The Ming dynasty saw a huge growth in China’s population and general
economic prosperity. However, the Ming emperors were dogged with the same
problems of previous regimes and collapsed with the invasion of the Manchus.
 During the dynasty, the Great Wall of China was completed. It also saw the
construction of the Forbidden City, the imperial residence in Beijing. The period is
also known for its blue-and-white Ming porcelains.
13. Qing Dynasty (1644-1912)
 The Qing dynasty was the last imperial dynasty in China, succeeded by the
Republic of China in 1912. The Qing were made up of ethnic Manchus from the
northern Chinese region of Manchuria.
 The Qing dynasty was the 5th largest empire in world history. However, by the
early 20th century its rulers were weakened by rural unrest, aggressive foreign
powers and military weakness.
 During the 1800s, Qing China faced attacks from Britain, France, Russia,
Germany and Japan. The Opium Wars (1839-42 and 1856-60) ended with Hong
Kong ceding to Britain and the humiliating defeat of the Chinese army.
 On 12 February 1912, 6-year-old Puyi – the last emperor of China – abdicated. It
brought an end to the thousand-year imperial rule of China and marked the
beginning of republic and socialist rule.
Four Classes
 From the Qin Dynasty to the late Qing Dynasty (221 B.C.- A.D. 1840), the
Chinese government divided Chinese people into four
classes: landlord, peasant, craftsmen, and merchant. Landlords and peasants
constituted the two major classes, while merchants and craftsmen were collected
into the two minor. Theoretically, except for the position of the Emperor, nothing
was hereditary.
 A landlord is the owner of a house, apartment, condominium, land, or real estate
which is rented or leased to an individual or business, who is called a tenant
(also a lessee or renter). When a juristic person is in this position, the term
landlord is used. Other terms include lessor and owner. The term landlady may
be used for the female owners, and lessor may be used regardless of gender.
The manager of a pub in the United Kingdom, strictly speaking a licensed
victualler, is referred to as the landlord/lady.

 A peasant is a pre-industrial agricultural laborer or a farmer with limited land-

ownership, especially one living in the Middle Ages under feudalism and paying
rent, tax, fees, or services to a landlord.
 An artisan (from French: artisan, Italian: artigiano) is a skilled craft worker who
makes or creates material objects partly or entirely by hand. These objects may
be functional or strictly decorative, for example furniture, decorative
art, sculpture, clothing, food items, household items and tools and mechanisms
such as the handmade clockwork movement of a watchmaker. Artisans practice
a craft and may through experience and aptitude reach the expressive levels of
an artist.
 A merchant is a person who trades in commodities produced by other people,
especially one who trades with foreign countries. Historically, a merchant is
anyone who is involved in business or trade. Merchants have operated for as
long as industry, commerce, and trade have existed. In 16th-century Europe, two
different terms for merchants emerged: meerseniers referred to local traders
(such as bakers and grocers) and koopman (Dutch: koopman) referred to
merchants who operated on a global stage, importing and exporting goods over
vast distances and offering added-value services such as credit and finance.
JAPAN: Philosophies
 BUDDHISM
 Buddhism is a non-theistic religion (no belief in a creator god), also considered
a philosophy and a moral discipline, originating in India in the 6th and 5th
centuries BCE.
 Buddhism is a faith that was founded by Siddhartha Gautama (“the Buddha”)
With about 470 million followers, scholars consider Buddhism one of the major
world religions. Its practice has historically been most prominent in East and
Southeast Asia, but its influence is growing in the West. Many Buddhist ideas
and philosophies overlap with those of other faiths.
 Founder of Buddhism
 Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism who later became known as “the
Buddha,” lived during the 5th century B.C.
 Gautama was born into a wealthy family as a prince in present-day Nepal.
Although he had an easy life, Gautama was moved by suffering in the world.
 He decided to give up his lavish lifestyle and endure poverty. When this didn’t
fulfill him, he promoted the idea of the “Middle Way,” which means existing
between two extremes. Thus, he sought a life without social indulgences but also
without deprivation.

 After six years of searching, Buddhists believe Gautama found enlightenment

while meditating under a Bodhi tree. He spent the rest of his life teaching others
about how to achieve this spiritual state.
 Buddhism History
 When Gautama passed away around 483 B.C., his followers began to organize a
religious movement. Buddha’s teachings became the foundation for what would
develop into Buddhism.
 In the 3rd century B.C., Ashoka the Great, the Mauryan Indian emperor, made
Buddhism the state religion of India. Buddhist monasteries were built, and
missionary work was encouraged.
 Over the next few centuries, Buddhism began to spread beyond India. The
thoughts and philosophies of Buddhists became diverse, with some followers
interpreting ideas differently than others.
 In the sixth century, the Huns invaded India and destroyed hundreds of Buddhist
monasteries, but the intruders were eventually driven out of the country.
 Islam began to spread quickly in the region during the Middle Ages, forcing
Buddhism into the background.
 Types of Buddhism
 Theravada Buddhism:
 Prevalent in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos and Burma
 The name means 'the doctrine of the elders' - the elders being the senior
Buddhist monks.
 This school of Buddhism believes that it has remained closest to the original
teachings of the Buddha. However, it does not over-emphasise the status of
these teachings in a fundamentalist way - they are seen as tools to help people
understand the truth, and not as having merit of their own.
 Mahayana Buddhism:
 Prevalent in China, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore and Vietnam
 Mahayana Buddhism (or the Mahayanas) can be defined as a major movement
in the history of Buddhism which has its origins in northern India. It is made up of
many schools and reinterpretations of fundamental human beliefs, values and
ideals not only those of the Buddhist teachings.

 Tibetan Buddhism:
 Prevalent in Tibet, Nepal, Mongolia, Bhutan, and parts of Russia and northern
India
 Tibetan Buddhism combines the essential teachings of Mahayana Buddhism with
Tantric and Shamanic, and material from an ancient Tibetan religion called Bon.
 Dharma
 Buddha’s teachings are known as “dharma.” He taught that wisdom, kindness,
patience, generosity and compassion were important virtues.
 Specifically, all Buddhists live by five moral precepts, which prohibit:
 Killing living things
 Taking what is not given
 Sexual misconduct
 Lying
 Using drugs or alcohol
 Four Noble Truths
 The Four Noble Truths, which Buddha taught, are:

 The truth of suffering (dukkha)
 The truth of the cause of suffering (samudaya)
 The truth of the end of suffering (nirhodha)
 The truth of the path that frees us from suffering (magga)
 Collectively, these principles explain why humans hurt and how to overcome
suffering.
 Eightfold Path
 The Buddha taught his followers that the end of suffering, as described in the
fourth Noble Truths, could be achieved by following an Eightfold Path.
 In no particular order, the Eightfold Path of Buddhism teaches the following
ideals for ethical conduct, mental disciple and achieving wisdom:
 Right understanding (Samma ditthi)
 Right thought (Samma sankappa)
 Right speech (Samma vaca)

 Right action (Samma kammanta)

 Right livelihood (Samma ajiva)
 Right effort (Samma vayama)
 Right mindfulness (Samma sati)
 Right concentration (Samma samadhi)
 SHINTOISM
 Shintoism ("the way of the gods") is the indigenous faith of the Japanese people
and as old as Japan itself. It remains Japan's major religion alongside Buddhism.
Shinto (神道 Shintō), also termed kami-no-michi, is a religion which originated
in Japan. Classified as an East Asian religion by scholars of religion, its
practitioners often regard it as Japan's indigenous religion and as a nature
religion.
 Scholars sometimes call its practitioners Shintoists, although adherents rarely
use that term themselves. There is no central authority in control of Shintoism
and much diversity exists among practitioners.
 History of Shintoism
 The introduction of Buddhism in the 6th century was followed by a few initial
conflicts, however, the two religions were soon able to co-exist and even
complement each other by considering kami to be manifestations of Buddha.
 In the Meiji Period, Shintoism was made Japan's state religion. Shinto priests
became state officials, important shrines received governmental funding, Japan's
creation myths were used to foster a national identity with the Emperor at its
center, and efforts were made to separate and emancipate Shintoism
from Buddhism.
 After World War II, Shintoism and the state were separated
 Shintoism does not have a founder nor does it have sacred scriptures like the
sutras or the Bible. Propaganda and preaching are not common either, because
Shintoism is deeply rooted in the Japanese people and traditions.
 "Shinto gods" are called kami. They are sacred spirits which take the form of
things and concepts important to life, such as wind, rain, mountains, trees, rivers
and fertility. Humans become kami after they die and are revered by their families
as ancestral kami. The kami of extraordinary people are even enshrined at some
shrines. The Sun Goddess Amaterasu is considered Shinto's most important
kami.
 Some prominent rocks are worshiped as kami.

 In contrast to many monotheistic religions, there are no absolutes in Shinto.

There is no absolute right and wrong, and nobody is perfect. Shinto is an
optimistic faith, as humans are thought to be fundamentally good, and evil is
believed to be caused by evil spirits. Consequently, the purpose of most Shinto
rituals is to keep away evil spirits by purification, prayers and offerings to the
kami.
 Shintoism shrines are the places of worship and the homes of kami. Most shrines
celebrate festivals (matsuri) regularly in order to show the kami the outside world.
Shinto priests perform Shinto rituals and often live on the shrine grounds. Men
and women can become priests, and they are allowed to marry and have
children. Priests are aided by younger women (miko) during rituals and shrine
tasks. Miko wear white kimono, must be unmarried, and are often the priests'
daughters.
 Important features of Shintoism art are shrine architecture and the cultivation and
preservation of ancient art forms such as No theater, calligraphy and court music
(gagaku), a dance music that originated in the courts of Tang China (618-907).
 Ise Jingu is Shinto's most sacred shrine.
SOCIAL STRATIFICATION:
 SAMURAI
• Japanese Feudalism
• The shogun ruled the country through the daimyo who were the heads of the
samurai.
• Peasants farmed the land in exchange for protection by the samurai, who
operated under a code of conduct known as bushido.
• Shogun
• A commander of the Japanese army who had absolute rule under the
Japanese emperor.
• Daimyo
• The great feudal landholders of Japan, the territorial barons as distinguished
from the kuge, or court nobles. Great tax-free estates were built up from the
8th century onward by the alienation of lands to members of the imperial
family who could not be supported at court. These estates were administered
by territorial barons, or the daimyo. By the 12th century.
• Samurai
• Was originally a verb meaning to wait upon or company a person in the upper
ranks of society, and this is also true of the original term in Japanese,
saburau. In both countries the terms were nominalized to mean "those who
serve in close attendance to the nobility," the pronunciation in Japanese
changing to saburai."

• Code of Bushido
• 1.) Bushido, literally the way of the warrior was a code of ethics of the warrior
that would be analogous to the code of chivalry of the knights during the
European feudal period. Bushido was based on the Japanese national
tradition and religious heritage: largely Shinto and Buddhism.
• 2.) The concept of Bushido was first developed in the Kamakura period (12
century) at the rise of the Shogunates (regional politico-military feudal lords).
• Seven Virtues
• Rectitude (gi)
• Courage (yuu)
• Benevolence (jin)
• Respect (rei)
• Honesty (Makoto or Shin)
• Honor (yo)
• Loyalty (chuu)
• Samurai Weapons
• Painstakingly made by hand from experienced armor craftsman, these lives
sized, fully functional and completely authentic reproduction Japanese
Samurai Armor and helmets are crafted using authentic methods and
materials only.
• With their husbands in combat almost continuously, 16 century samurai
women provided for the defense of their homes and children.
• After Tokugawa leyasu unified Japan, the role of women changed.
• There were various hairstyles in Japan for many years. In the hairstyle of the
many, the hairstyle of the male of about 400 years before and Japan is called
Samurai Hair.
• Samurai Hair is called "CHONMAGE" in many cases in Japanese. However,
originally in hairstyle which the old person who cannot dress hair summarized
to one behind the head is called "CHONMAGE". However, now, Samurai hair
came to point out all the hairstyles of about 400 years ago.
• Japanese Samurai
• Tokugawa and his descendants ruled over a peaceful Japan for two and half
centuries. The role of the samurai in peacetime declined gradually over this
period, but two factors led to the end of samurai: the urbanization of Japan,
and the end of isolationism.
• As more and more Japanese moved to the cities, there were fewer farmers
producing they rice needed to feed the growing population. The luxurious
living enjoyed by the shoguns and many daimyos started to wear away at the
economic system

 FARMER
• A farmer is someone who works under the umbrella of agriculture, producing
a variety of food products for human and animal consumption.
• The Farmers or peasant were viewed as the foundation of Japan and granted
a social standing just below the samurai class and superior to artisan and
merchant. Farmers were considered important in Edo Japan because they
produced the food that sustained the society.
• According to Confucian ideals, farmers were superior to artisans and
merchants because they produced the food that all the other classes
depended upon.
• They were very respected and were considered an honored Life of peasants
is focused on farming. To get their fields in nice growing conditions they
would plough the land with oxen's. Many farmers didn't grow enough oxen's,
so ploughing was very difficult. Instead they could sow the fields, which was a
3-year cycle. It was sown for 2 years and then left for the 3rd year, for the soil
to regain nutrients. They also used manure for fertilizer, which came from the
animals, such as: sheep, pigs, goats and chickens
• The peasants worked endless hours, working about 7 days a week. They
grew food such as herbs and rise, and they raised live stock. They were
required to work a certain number of days to work on their lord’s land, which
from that they would earn land rights.
• class. However, being a Japanese peasant had its lows as well. You could
not choose to be a peasant, and could only be born one. If you were a born
peasant, you did not have the opportunity to become anything else but to
follow the family tradition.
• Although they were respected by the upper classes, it did not mean that they
were treated well. Laws controlled every aspect of the peasants’ life. They
were forbidden to smoke tobacco or to drink rice wine, and they needed
special permission to travel outside their district.
• They lived under a crushing tax burden, and had to give up the majority of the
food they grew to the nobles, while only keeping whatever was left over for
themselves. This was only a tiny bit-or even nothing for all the endless hard
work that they did.
 ARTISAN
• An artisan is someone that works with their hands to create unique, and
functional and decorative items using traditional techniques.
• Artisans were the skilled workers and makers of handicraft goods during the
Edo period. They were labeled a separate class, beneath the samurai and
farmers, but above the merchants. According to official Confucian ideology,
artisans were valued because they created something with their labor. Even
skilled samurai sword makers and boat wrights belonged to this third tier of
society in feudal Japan.

•Japanese artisans or craftspeople usually lived in towns and cities. An

artisan’s son was restricted not only to the class of his father but also to the
particular craft that his father practiced. The objects produced by the artisans
of Edo Japan high-quality paper and porcelains, lacquered or enamel
containers, even practical articles such as clocks and pans were both useful
and beautiful. Although artisans were extremely skilled, their status was lower
than that of peasants. This was because they were not primary producers;
their work required materials produced by others. A weaver, for example,
relied on the silk farmer for silk.
• (pictures of the floating world), which depicted landscapes and celebrated life
in the entertainment centers. Ukiyo-e prints, albums, book illustrations and
greeting cards immortalized famous Kabuki actors and brothel beauties, and
were popular among the middle classes.
• One of the most influential Ukiyo-e artists was Kitagawa Utamaro (1753 -
1806), known for his woodblock depictions of beautiful women from Edo's
pleasure quarters.
• In the early 1800s, Hokusai, (1760 - 1849) a designer of book covers and
billboards, became famous for his landscapes. His "Thirty-Six Views of Mt.
Fuji" includes "The Wave" (as it is known in the West), perhaps the most
widely known Ukiyo-e print in the world.
• Ando Hiroshige (1797 -1858) infused woodblock printing with brush painting
techniques. In 1832, Hiroshige traveled from Edo to Kyoto on the Tokaido
Road, which inspired his famous woodblock print series "Fifty-Three Stations
of the Tokaido Road."
• Although artisans produced many beautiful and necessary goods, such as
clothes, cooking utensils, and woodblock prints, but they were not as highly
valued as farmers in the agriculture-based economy. In practice, however,
artisans were more highly valued than their official social position. The ruling
samurai class was an urban class which relied more on the produce of
artisans than on the food produced by the peasant farmers. As a result, many
official policies were more beneficial to artisans than to farmers.
 MERCHANT
• Merchants were salespeople who bought and sold goods. They usually
specialized in one product to sells such as silk, tea, fish and salt.
• During the Edo period, the merchant class enjoyed a rise in social and
economic status, because Japan had just been opened up to the world
• By selling food and goods, merchants attracted more people to medieval
towns. Merchants become wealthy and powerful by selling a variety of goods
from faraway lands, dominating the town’s business life.
• During this period, merchants broke the social barriers, mixing with the higher
social classes.
• Merchants had a large impact on Japanese society.
• They were seen as power figures.

• They helped to develop a more modern society.

• Their new affluence encouraged the growth of art and entertainment.
Prepared by:
ALONA JEAN D. ZACARIAS
Instructor I

Asian Studies Reviewer

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Asian Studies Reviewer

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Republic of the Philippines

P angasinan S tate U niversity

ASIAN STUDIES (SSE 105)

CHAPTER 2: Evolution of Early Man in Asia

P angasinan S tate U niversity

P angasinan S tate U niversity

ASIA AS A HOME OF EARLY MAN

P angasinan S tate U niversity

P angasinan S tate U niversity

CHAPTER 3: Southwest Asia and its Civilization

P angasinan S tate U niversity

1. SUMERIANS 5000 B.C-2330 B.C

P angasinan S tate U niversity

P angasinan S tate U niversity

P angasinan S tate U niversity

 Religious beliefs: Christianity started to be practiced

P angasinan S tate U niversity

 Socio-cultural status: social classes were the backbone of Persian society, at

P angasinan S tate U niversity

conquered regions continued to function economically and reduced the chance

P angasinan S tate U niversity

 Hellenistic period refers to a period of time dominated by a fusion of Greek

P angasinan S tate U niversity

 Religion and Philosophy

P angasinan S tate U niversity

 The Persians were known for their hand painted pottery.

P angasinan S tate U niversity

Ancient Civilizations of the Fertile Crescent with

P angasinan S tate U niversity

s areas of Lebanon and Carthage, purple dye,

CHAPTER 4: CIVILIZATIONS IN EAST ASIA

P angasinan S tate U niversity

P angasinan S tate U niversity

P angasinan S tate U niversity

3. Zhou Dynasty (c. 1046-256 BC)

P angasinan S tate U niversity

P angasinan S tate U niversity

8. Tang Dynasty (618-906)

P angasinan S tate U niversity

P angasinan S tate U niversity

 A peasant is a pre-industrial agricultural laborer or a farmer with limited land-

P angasinan S tate U niversity

 After six years of searching, Buddhists believe Gautama found enlightenment

P angasinan S tate U niversity

 The Four Noble Truths, which Buddha taught, are:

P angasinan S tate U niversity

 Right action (Samma kammanta)

P angasinan S tate U niversity

 In contrast to many monotheistic religions, there are no absolutes in Shinto.

P angasinan S tate U niversity

P angasinan S tate U niversity

P angasinan S tate U niversity

•Japanese artisans or craftspeople usually lived in towns and cities. An

P angasinan S tate U niversity

• They helped to develop a more modern society.

You might also like