chapter 8

When the Han. dynasty fell, China was scattered until for about 300 years until the Sui re united China. They fell again and new empires rose, the Tang then the Song. The Song Dynasty was known as the golden era of art and literature and lasted for a thousand years by having major ministries. Woman in this era had a decent beginning and started to have more freedom until a group revived Confucianism. This took freedom away from them and put them back to the past. China's relationship with the other new forming asian countries Korea, Japan and Vietnam was not so great with them wanting to have their own identity, though they did respect China's power. Buddhism became China's main religion but some saw it as an overthrowing of power.

chapter 9

Muhammad was born in Mecca, and he believed that he was Allah's messenger to the Arabs. His influence spread throughout the peninsula, the Arab state became an empire bigger than Egypt, Rome, Byzantine, Persian, Mesopotamian and India. After Muhammad's death Arab armies attacked other civilizations and conquered their people forcing them to convert to Islam.

chapter 7

In this chapter the Silk Road rose in Eurasia and became the worlds most extensive and sustained network of trade. Many product were pushed along this trade route but silk was among the best it became the symbol of the trade route. Silk was used for decorations in households and fashion all over Eurasia. Disease traveled along the silk road with products, it gave rise to many diseases and the infamous Black Death. The silk road played a major role in Eurasia and changed many countries.

chapter 5

The Chinese decided that in their society that education was key to success, that it was the only way to become a higher member in society, similar to what it is today. India decided that in their society the gods decided who was worthy of nobility or not creating India's caste system. I personally hate the idea of this, at least in China you had a chance of changing your social status. The Roman's had lots a slaves and would often be released but not with citizenship, they would become a half a person and have to pay a special tax. Most of these societies are messed up but I think China's society was more fair than the others.

chapter 4

The Chinese followed the teachings of Confucius. He established certain ways that one should live your life such as the father being superior to the son, the husband to wife, the older brother to the younger brother, the ruler to the subject. He believed that in doing so it would cause harmony which I personally don't think is real. The indian's believed in hinduism which dictates that people are born into a certain social class and when you die you move up a class. This way of thinking is challenged when Buddha said you can achieve Nirvana in only one lifetime by following him. The Greeks asked more question about life. Socrates raises the question, what is the good life? Socrates would have many students and they would have students to continue the Greek legacy. 500 years later Jesus was born and would bring with him a new religion.

Chapter 3

with the leadership of Alexander the Great, Greece won their battle against Persia. What's note worthy about this is that Persia had a bigger military.  However after their victory, Greece had a civil war which weakened their defenses and allowed the kingdom of Macedonia to take over.  During this time Rome and China were taking shape, both were similar and very successful. Both empires would eventually end, China in 220 c.e. and Rome in 476 c.e.. The empires were too big and there were too many politicians wanting power, their fighting would lead to their end.

chapter 2

With human kind evolving we started to find new ways of living and settled in one area, we formed communities which led to civilizations. Around 3500 B.C.E. the first civilizations were formed and around the same time written language was created. Cities would eventually start to flourish with newer designs that kept even the gods from sleeping, though such riches do not come without hierarchies, social classes started to form, people started to believe they were better than one another. In almost any point in time gender has played a role and it is always the same, men are dominant over women. Men are doing the physical stuff and women are doing everything else. Sex was very open for men as long as they did not involve themselves with another man's wife, married women could only involve themselves with their husbands. Writing was a new aspect of life for these people, some saw it as a gift from the gods. Writing spread like fire, many people learned to write and that gave power, they could rebel against their rulers.