Global Test 4 (4 Subjects)

What was the revelation and what is the significance to Islamic religion?

• In a cave around Mecca in 610 CE had a vision of the archangel Gabriel while meditating,

  • told him to preach the word of Allah, the one God, to the world —> Muhammad formed religion 

• First he talked about it only to ones close to him and then started publicly speaking about the religion 

• This is where the Quran was revealed to Muhammad verbally by the archangel Gabriel

“in the name of the God, the almighty”

How was Islam spread?

Mainly through trade when people traveled borders were opened and ideas and religion spread.

Unification of the peninsula, rapid growth due to previous oppressive regimes

Why were people threatened by Mohammads ideas and how did Meccan leaders oust Mohammad and his followers?

• ALL NEW ideas of afterlife, apocalyptic imagrey, divine reconking, threat to social order and traditions

• Followers were forced out of trade (economic)

What was the battle of mecca and what was the result?

Bloody battle against their own tribes (muslims v meccans) long battle and Muslims eventually won

• Meccans expected revenge (normal) but they were instead embrassed

They reclaimed Mecca and he cleaned the Kabah of the idols

Baghdad (great minds, mission)

Considered to be the center of the empire with rapid growth

• focused on intellect and innovation

• House of Wisdom established in order to get great minds from everywhere and desipher old texts and translate and store them to be able to be used in future generations (translated to arabic)

What us the Korans vision of the afterlife?

Water and life (green)

• relates to tribal warfare and want/need for water

• different from Christianity (floating )

What is the significance of the pilgramage and what jounrey does it imitate?

The pilgrimage draws Muslims from around the world to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, where they walk in the footsteps of the Prophet Muhammad and retrace the journey of Ibrahim and Ismail, or Abraham and Ishmael as they are known in the Christian and Jewish traditions.

Does the Quaran promote equality and violence?

Against violence but promotes equality

How was God depicted in the Quaran?

Constantly changing pronouns and no clearn imaging to prevent reifying and anthropormorphising (Iconaclasm, no images of God he is too holy)

What is the central tenet of Islam

Indivisble unity of God

Implies: unity and peace amongst warring tribes

What was the Kaaba impact on the trading in Mecca and how did this have an economic impact?

The Kaaba, a religious site in Mecca, played a crucial role in transforming Mecca into a thriving trading center and economic hub, both before and after the advent of Islam, by attracting pilgrims and fostering trade through its status as a sanctuary

Muhammad 

• Born in Mecca about 570

• He worked as a shepherd among Bedouins

• Later he led caravans and became a successful merchant

• At 40 he went to a desert cave and meditated

  • He was troubled by idol worship and moral ills of society 

  • Here he heard the voice of the angel Gabriel calling him to be a messenger of God

Qur’an

• Holy text of Islam → 114 chapters & composed in poetry form.

• Written in Arabic.

• Revelations of God → verbally revealed to Muhammad by the angel Gabriel from from 609-632 A.D.

• Muhammad employed scribes to write down the messages as they were revealed to him.

• THE MIRACLE OF MUHAMMAD

“In the name of god the almighty”

• Revealed (verbally) the koran

How are Muslims expected to treat Christians and Jews?

Treat them equally as they are all “people of the book”

How is Muhammad the “Seal of the Prophets”

• Koran names 25 prophets, including Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad. 

• Muhammad is the “seal” (khatam) of the prophets – the last, the one that validates previous prophecy. 

Came to “transmit the old message anew, and established through it a universal community […] the umma” (Denny, Intro to Islam, 69).

Similarities and differences between judasim, christianity, and islam

The Six Articles of Faith

1. Belief in One God

2. Belief in Angels

3. Belief in ALL the prophets

   • 124,000 prophets, of whom 313 are also messengers

   • 25 of these messengers are very important (mentioned in the Quran)

4. Belief in ALL the books revealed by God
   (Torah, Bible, Qur’an)

5. Belief in the Day of Judgment

- heaven and hell  

- positive view of human nature

- Islam lacks concept of original sin

6. Predestination: Muslims believe in divine destiny 

• God wrote down all that has happened and will happen

Why do Muslims not portray images of Allah or Muhammed? 

Many Muslims avoid depicting images of Allah (God) or Muhammad (the Prophet) because they believe such depictions could lead to idolatry, which is strictly forbidden in Islam. 

(They believe he is too holy, thus the switching pronouns in the Koran and no pictures in fear they will start workshipping the image and not God, Allah,)

Who is the founder of the Islamic faith? What year was he born?

Muhammad, prophet and restorer, born 570 AD

Tribal warfare in the Arab world?

Everyone was at war with eachother, alliances were highly valuable. People were looking for grazing land for animals and looking for WATER (which later is connected to the afterlife) and Trade routes

What was the OG purpose of the Ka’ba, What is the origin story, and what is the postive impacts it has on Arab society?

-Sanctuary for spesfic dieties and TRIBAL RELIGION (POLYTHESISM)

-Abraham built it himself, black stone within that fell from the sky

-Trade and cultural exchange as people came to see the Ka’ba

What was the solution to the quarrel between 4 chiefs?

Placed the holy black stone on a blanket so they could all hold the honor of putting it back onto the building

The hijrah

• Mecca —> Medina

• 622 A.D. → Muhammad secretly leaves his home in response to assassination plots. 

• His followers go with him on this journey called “hijrah”.

• Goes to Yathrib, which is later renamed Medina (city of the Prophet).

• This is the first year of Muslim calendar.

What year is it now in the Islamic world and why?

• What year is it now in the Islamic world?

• 1446 A.H. - WHY?

• Anno Hegirae = lunar

The circling of the kabah, why, and impact

630 AD → Muhammad returned to Mecca, circled the Kabah 7 times & destroyed the idols within.

Broke the traditonal tribal religions and polytheism —> cleaned up the kabah to be back to monotheism, uniting the people under one god, Allah

The Five Pillars of Islam

• Shahada (Declaration of Faith):

  This pillar is the foundation of Islam, stating the belief in the oneness of God (Allah) and the prophethood of Muhammad. 

• Salat (Prayer):

  Muslims are obligated to pray five times a day, facing the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca, as a way to connect with God and express gratitude. 

• Zakat (Charity):

  This pillar involves giving a portion of one's wealth to the poor and needy as a form of purification and social responsibility. 

• Sawm (Fasting):

  During the month of Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn until sunset as a form of spiritual discipline and reflection. 

• Hajj (Pilgrimage):

  If physically and financially able, Muslims are expected to make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime, a journey that symbolizes unity and submission to God. 

  

Judasim, Islam, and Christianity share a belief in…

Monotheism and ethical conduct

The Hidjra, Muhammad’s journey from Mecca to Medina in _____, is important to Muslims because the journey..

622 AD, Signified the establishment of the Islamic faith

How do Christian concepts of governmental law differ from Islamic concepts of governmental law?

Christian = give ceaser what is his and give god what is gods (divison of religion and state)

Islamic = everything is gods (allahs)

Sharia Law

• Islamic law code developed by Muslim scholars by interpreting the Qur’an. 

• It regulates moral conduct, family life, business practices, government, and other aspects of the Muslim community. 

• It helped unify the expanding Muslim community.

Muslims were split into two groups after Muhammad died, the Sunni and the Shi’ia.

The Sunnis believed and elected person (like Abu Bakr) should take over after Muhammad

The Shi’ia believed someone who is DIRECTLY RELATED to Muhammad was already appointed his sucsessor (Ali)

Sunni = Saudi Arabia (around 80%)

Shi’ia = Iran (around 20%)

THESE ARE SECTS OF ISLAM

What countries may experience turmoil based on sectarian rifts deomestically?

Yemen and Iraq

Comparison of Sunni and Shi’ite Muslims

• Shi’ia disregard the first 3 caliphs in history because they (Abu Bakr, etc.) were not descendants of The Prophet. 

  • Shi’ia believe that Ali, Muhammad’s son-in-law, should have been named caliph.  

  • It is not until Ali rules that they acknowledge the caliphs.

  • But when Ali was killed (by the Umayyad) the split intensified.

• Most Shi’ia today live in Iraq and Iran.

  • 10% of Muslims today = Shi’ia

• Just like other major religions with sects, the split involves different interpretations of beliefs and texts.

• More branches have splintered off from the original two... 

Rashidun dynasty: 632-661

• After the Prophet Muhammad died (632 AD), his first successor was Abu Bakr.

  • He was named the first caliph, or successor.

  • For the most part, Abu Bakr was able to unite Muslims under his rule.

  • Abu Bakr and his next 3 successors will help to gain more land.

Umayyad dynasty: 661-750

• First power established after the death of the last caliph, Ali.

• Shia Muslim → greatly expanded territory.

Abbasid dynasty:  750-861

• Shia Muslims → Overthrew Umayyad.

• Moved the capital from Damascus to Baghdad.

• Golden age associated with the Abbasid.

The Golden Age of Islam

Abbasid Political Policy = NO EXPANSION

• focus on organized & efficient administration→ bureaucracy

• Non-Arab Muslims were allowed to hold positions of power now 

• Heavily encourage conversion → more than Umayyad Caliphate

CAPITAL MOVE to BAGHDAD

During the Golden Age of Islam why and where did they move the new capital?

• MOVED TO BAGHDAD

• By moving closer to Persian territory the caliphate was heavily influenced by Persian customs (hence bureaucracy & participation of non-Arabs). 

• Persian officials held important government offices. 

• Vizier → head of the bureaucracy; was a position in Persian bureaucracy. 

What was the golden age?

Abbasid Caliphate under Caliph Haroun Al Rashid Reign: 786-809

What is a Caliphate?

Eras ruled by a Caliph (sucsessor of Muhammad)

How did geography play a role in the Golden Age of Islam?

Tons of trade routes!

Prophets ENCOURAGED trade —> impact on the Day of Judment

How did Constantine change the Eastern area when he moved the capital to Byzantium?

• Byzantium was established as a Greek colony early on. 

•  The city had actually already been founded by Emperor Hadrian.

  •  He had the city designed in a grid format and had many temples built there dedicated to Roman gods. 

•  Constantine had the city rebuilt and called it the center of the Christian world (so now it had religious significance).

•  Constantine had created one gold standard for the empire and this helped keep Byzantine areas strong.

Advantages of living under the Byzantine Empire

Eastern side = closer to silk roads and trade = better economic stability

What were the mediterranean sea complez?

Basically the silk roads but over water! (Martime) important trade routes

How was the civil service organized?

The civil service was organized intro the hierarchical system of complexity. Taxes were collected, justice was administered, armies were raised, and functions of the state. “Period of greatest power” Byzantine government = highly functional and organized

Advantages of Byzantium

• Advantages:
    

  •  Located on the Bosphorus strait.

  •  Many harbors exist in this area/surrounded by water.

  •  Had protective walls around the city→ many invaders avoided this area.

  •  Not located near many of the invading tribes.

  •  Had highly educated officials running the gov’t.

  •  Taxes collected regularly.

  •  Strong army/justice system created.

    How did this help the Byzantine to survive?
    

    •  Economy strengthened because they could control trade.  Anyone wanting to get in/out of the Black Sea HAD TO go through Byzantium and had to pay them.  As a result, Constantinople became one of the busiest centers of the trade in the world at this point.

    •  Walls→ protection from any invaders that did come close.

    •  Highly organized government and economy→ people could focus on cultural achievements and society (coming up tomorrow)

Why is the Bosporus strait of importance

Important strait becuase it was a trade route and military passage connecting Europe and Asia allowing control over access to the black and Mediterranean seas, and strategically positions Constantinople for defense.

Justinian

529 - 565 AD

-autocrat (sole rulers and complete authority)

-ruled over the government and the church

-Christ’s co-ruler on earth

Theodora

A prostitute that Justinian fell in love with, married, and elevated to empress

Served as his advisor and co-ruler

Byzantium as the “New Rome”

Justinians main goal was to establish the power and glory of Rome  

Those living in the eastern half considered themselves Roman (Byzantine will be a name given later in history).

•   Carrying on traditions of Rome will help keep people united and help ease the transition into a new empire that was similar to Rome, but also more Hellenistic in nature.

•  Like Rome, Byzantium will be ruled by emperors, who had absolute authority.
  

What aspects were copied from Rome

•  They will copy certain elements of Roman culture:  

  •  Gladiator games: “bread and circuses”.

  •  Architectural styles: domes.

  •  Art techniques: mosaics.

  •  Legal codes.

Why did the Byzantine people call themselves?

Empire of the Romans

Justinians Code (Corpus Jris Civilis)

“Body of Civil Law” was a 6th century AD codification of ancient Roman law compiled by order of Byzantine Emporer Justinian. Issued between 529 and 534, it’s considered a foundation of both civil and common law

-to live justice

-to injure no one

-to live honestly

-public and private law

-civil law

Helped unify the empire by:

Official faith:

Tolerance towards other beliefs:

Why does Justinian have a new law code created? How does it help unify the empire? Did he believe in religious tolerance? Does this help or hinder the unification of the Byzantine Empire?

Justinians Code

•  Justinian hired legal experts to gather, revise, and organize Roman law into a single text.

•  Included laws passed by Roman assemblies, decrees passed by Roman emperors, legal writings of Roman judges, and a handbook for students.

•  It is divided by theme and topic to make it easier to find and use the law code.

•  IMPACT → Churches & Monarchs in the West will model their law code on Justinian’s Code

Theodora’s reforms

• Helped Justinian craft a new constitution and make reforms to end political corruption

• Focused on women’s rights: Increased rights for divorce and property ownership, Mothers granted guardianship of children, Banned killing of women who committed adultery, etc 

Nika Riots - 532 AD

•  A revolt that occurred against Emperor Justinian in Constantinople.

•  Half of Constantinople was burned and destroyed and tens of thousands of people killed.

  •  Different factions (teams) formed to support various competitors in chariot racing which were differentiated by color (Blues, Greens, Reds, and Whites).

  •  These teams gained political and social influence and often held meetings to discuss these issues.

  •  One day at the games the Blue and Greens became unified and started besieging the palace → they were opposed to Justinian’s taxes, his lack of support of the nobility, and unfair convictions.

  •  Some Senators conspired to overthrow Justinian.

Why did some people think Justinian failed the people?

•  The Nika riots showed that instead of listening to their concerns, Justinian would choose to silence his people by killing them.

•  The chariot races had become an outlet for people to express political views and social concerns.

WAS IT REALLY JUSTINIAN THAT RULED AND MADE THESE CONTROVERSIAL DECISIONS?

•  Justinian’s wife, Theodora, is known as one of the most powerful women in history.

•  Theodora grew up with little money and when her father died, her mother put her in acting which evolved into a life of prostitution.

•  She was Justinian’s mistress and he was so captivated by her, that he had the law changed so that a patrician could marry a plebeian.  

•  Theodora was strong willed and loved her new found power.

•  During the Nika riots, Justinian wanted to flee and he went to his wife for advice.

•  Justinian consulted her on almost all matters.  So at the end of the day maybe our aim should be…Why is Theodora considered to be one of the most significant emperors?

Theodoras reforms

•  Theodora helped Justinian craft a new constitution
  and formulate reforms to end political corruption.

•  Focused on women’s rights:

  •  Increased rights for divorce and property ownership.

  •  Mothers granted guardianship of children.

  •  Banned killing of women who committed adultery.

  •  Closed brothels.

  •  Opened convents for ex-prostitutes.

What types of achievements are credited to Justinian?

• Crowned emperor in 525 A.D. Ruled as an autocrat.

• He was also the head of the Church.

• Ruled with his wife Theodora.  Almost a co-regency.

• Also known for expanding the empire, and he even controlled parts of the old Western Empire! 

• Reformed the old Roman legal code.

Hagi Sophia (What is it, who comissioned it, and short historical backround)

• Commissioned by Emperor Justinian following the Nika Riots

  • It was probably a form of propaganda!
    
    

• It started as a church, and was turned into a mosque in the 1400s and in 1932 it became a museum.  In 2021 it became a mosque again!

• Construction started in 532 and was done by 537!  

  It wasn’t easy to build!  Turkey is prone to earthquakes and no one knew how the Romans built the Pantheon.  No one knew how to keep the arches from collapsing either.  They needed a better solution than a keystone!

  Solution:  Pendentives to support the dome and extra half domes to support the arches!

  
  
  

Icon

•  A religious work of art that is used for devotional purposes in Christianity.
  
  

•  Typically they are portraits of Jesus, Mary, or other religious figures, but they can also depict narrative scenes. 

THE CAUSES OF ICONOCLASM

• The use of icons could be conflated with the worship of idols….could one mistake the worship of Jesus with the worship of a depiction of Jesus?

•  Pictures and statues cannot adequately depict the divine nature of Jesus-- they can only show him as a man.  This is heresy!

•  By the 8^th century, Islam was influencing local customs in the Byzantine Empire. (Islam does not allow the depiction of any living creature.)

Who was emperor Leo III and what decree did he put out?

Emperor Leo III abolished ALL ICONS in 726 CE and another in 730 CE that called for the active destructuion of al icons

- Violent riots occurred & iconodules were eventually persecuted under his son, Leo IV.

WHAT WAS THE PRICE OF
BYZANTIUM’S UNIQUE CULTURE?

• Justinian’s wars to expand the empire and funding of the Hagia Sophia will cause the empire to go bankrupt!

• The empire and its people will feel the long-term effects of this!  

• The empire will shrink (but that’s also because of growing Muslim power) and it will be vulnerable to attack!    

Nika Riots - 532 A.D

• A revolt against Justinian in Constantinople 

• Half of Constantinople was burned & destroyed, tens of thousands of people killed

• Why? They were opposed to his taxes, lack of support towards nobility, and unfair convictions

Byzantine art/architecture

• Copied elements of Rome to provide connection to their heritage  

• More geometric and flat

• More religious art and made mosaics

Debate of Iconoclasm effects

• Drove a wedge between the 2 sects (Roman catholics and Eastern Orthodox)

• Resulted in the Great schism in 1054 A.D

  • East-West = separation of Catholic Church of the west from the orthodox churches of the east 

• The pope and Patriarch excommunicated till 1965

When and what was the Han Dynasty

Chinese dynasty that followed the Qin. Known for the silk road innovations, education system innovations, and belief in Confusianism that led to meritocracy.

Lasted from 206BC-220 AD in two periods, the new Han and the old Hab

How did the Han win power?

Emperor Gaozu overthrew the Qin Dynasty and confucian policies were adopted

-At first he ruled fuedaly (relatives got power, local warlords got deals, and friendly nobles got land

-Constant threat from Xiongnu people

How did the Han use Confucianism and education to stabilize and expand their empire?

Government funded schools for higher education, particularly education with the purpose of training to become educated officials

MERIT BASED CIVIL SERIVSE

-promotion of good/positive morale

How did Gaozu have no choice?

• Gaozu attacked the Xiongnu in 200 BCE in an attempt to conquer them.

• But he lost the Battle of Baideng, allowing 300,000 Xiongnu cavalry  to surround him.

• Negotiation was his only option.

  • He made peace by marrying a princess into their society and sending them tributes of silk, liquor, and rice (APPEASMENT) and it WORKED!

What are some of the things the Han did right?

-Han added to great wall

-Extention of Great wall (kept invasions to a minimum)

-The Silk Road was developed across two continentes, Europe and Asia (Eurasia)

-Confucian ideals emphasized proper behavior aiming to maintain traditional customs and values

How did the Han use Confuscianism and education to stabilize and expand the empire?

Confucianism was the basis of its politicial philospy and strcutre which included the revolutionary idea of replacing nobility of blood with one of virtue and honesty, and thereby calling for administrative appointments to be based solely on merit. This system allowed anyone who passed an examination to become a government officer, a position that would bring wealth and honor to the whole family. 

MERITOCRACY

What was the education system in Han China?

With the confusian ideas came meritocracy anf chosing people to become leaders based on experience and not wealth or relation. This led to the invention of the military test that people had to take and pass to be considered for government positions, creating educated leaders. The test mainly had things about confucianism.

ALSO: Some people considered this elitest becuase more money = better tutors = better scores

The silk road impacts on. China

-Romans loved the silk (bigesset exporter)

-Allowed growth and merchant class to grow

-Chinese silk was in demand —> emporers liked draping themselves in silk

Each country contributed different materials (China, Forrest lands-Siberia and Graddlands - Central Asia, India, Middle East, Mediterranean Basin

What did confucian scholars in the government feel about Han policies and the Silk Road.

• Confucian philosophers (who had power) were suspicious of the profit motive.

• They worried the quest for wealth and the trade that went along with it as potentially destabilizing and harmful. 

• Capitalism is known for “creative destruction,” and they feared that.  

Fall of the Han Dynasty

1. Political corruption: Over time, the Han government became increasingly corrupt, with officials more interested in personal gain than the welfare of the state. This weakened the government's ability to effectively govern the country and maintain public order.

2. Economic instability: The Han Dynasty faced economic challenges, including inflation, tax evasion, and a decline in agricultural productivity. This led to a decline in government revenues and weakened the overall economy.

3. Military pressure: The Han Dynasty faced military pressure from nomadic tribes in the north and rebel groups in the south. The government struggled to maintain control over these regions, and military spending put a strain on the government's finances.

4. Social unrest: The Han Dynasty faced social unrest, including peasant uprisings and revolts by regional leaders. This unrest was often caused by economic hardship, political corruption, and other factors.

5. Imperial overstretch: The Han Dynasty had expanded its territory to its limits and was unable to effectively govern such a vast empire. This led to increased decentralization and weakened the central government's control over the regions.

How (and why) was the Han Dynasty two parts (east and west)

Right after Qin dies from mercury posioning the Han Dynasty began

early (western) han 195 BC, looks like the kingdom of Qin Shi Huangdi plus some new border regions

Later (Eastern) han, very split apart due to civil war, disunity awaiting reconsolidation

Rome and the Han

• The Han fortified China’s boundaries and unified its territory: 

  • See the Great Wall 

• The Han utilized trade routes and stabilized Han participation in international trade, bringing them into contact with their western equivalent—Rome… 

• Budhism also spread

• In general : Lots of cultural diffisuion as people traded and the need for silk (from China) grew, these trade troutes were fundamentally things that were expanded in the Han

Han and the Tarim Basin

1. Military outposts: The Han Empire established military outposts and garrisons along the trade routes that passed through the Tarim Basin. These outposts were strategically located to monitor and control the movement of goods and people through the region. They also served as a buffer against attacks from neighboring tribes and empires.

2. Diplomacy: The Han Empire used diplomacy to forge alliances with local rulers and tribes. By doing so, they were able to maintain stability in the region and prevent conflicts that could disrupt the silk trade.

3. Infrastructure: The Han Empire invested in building roads, bridges, and other infrastructure in the Tarim Basin. This allowed for easier and safer transportation of goods, including silk, which was highly valuable and in demand in the West.

4. Cultural influence: The Han Empire exerted cultural influence over the local populations in the Tarim Basin. By promoting Chinese culture and traditions, they were able to create a sense of unity and stability in the region. This, in turn, helped protect the silk trade and maintain the Han Empire's control over the area.

Overall, the Han Empire's control of the Tarim Basin allowed them to protect their borders and the silk trade by establishing military outposts, using diplomacy, investing in infrastructure, and exerting cultural influence over the local populations. This helped ensure stability in the region and maintain the Han Empire's dominance in the area.

Fall of Maurya Empire 187 BC

• After Ashoka’s rule, a series of weaker kings ruled and eventually its territory shrunk.

• India broke apart in smaller kingdoms.

• The smaller kingdoms fought for 500 years.

• Beginning around 320 C.E. a second great empire arose.

Rise of the Gupta Empire - 319CE (Know who Changragupta I is)

 Chandragupta I: 

• Establishes the Gupta dynasty in 319 AD.

• Not much is known about him or how he expanded his empire.

• Married a princess from a powerful family, which may have contributed to the expansion of his empire.

Polical strucutre

• POLITICAL ORDER: hereditary, BUT the final decision on ascendancy to the throne rested with the emperor’s ministers and the people.

  •  eldest son was not always the one to inherit the throne.
      → his qualifications were a more important consideration than birth order. (meritocracy?)

• did NOT claim supernatural authority to rule.

• divided into provinces & largely decentralized: local authorities, social groups, powerful trade guilds retained significant autonomy.

• stayed in power for nearly 230 years.

Extensive TRADE ROUTES

As its peak the Gupta the is very wealthy

At its peak, the Gupta was one of the wealthiest empires in the world. While smaller than Rome and Han, the Indian subcontinent’s central position in the network of Silk Roads and Spice Routes, as well as its rare and unique export commodities, allowed the Gupta to accumulate vast wealth that underwrote great achievements in arts and sciences. 

The golden age of Gupta

Math

• ]evised a simple system of writing numbers →  “Arabic” numerals.

• Developed the concept of zero.

• Developed a decimal system of numbers based on 10, which we still use today.

• Developed functions of trigonometry.

Medicine

• Used herbs and other remedies to treat illnesses.

• Surgeons were skilled in setting bones. 

• Also developed a smallpox vaccination 1,000 years before it was used in Europe. 

Astronomy: Aryabhata  

• Aryabhata figured out that a year was exactly 365.258 days long.

• Aryabhata calculated the approximate size of Earth.

• Aryabhata proposed that planets were spheres.

• Aryabhata suggested that Earth spins on its axis, an imaginary line through Earth's center.

•  Aryabhata theorized gravity.

What led to the Decline of the Gupta empire?

• Pressure of civil war, weak rulers, and foreign invasions.

• White Huns Nomadic people who overran the Gupta Empire, destroying its cities and trade routes.

• India split into many kingdoms.

Was the Gupta Empire a golden age?

Yes!