What is a “classic” society? Is this a useful concept?
Classic:
1. generally considered to be of the highest quality or lasting value, especially in the arts
2. authoritative and perfect as a standard of its kind
3. always fashionable and elegant, usually because of simplicity and restraint in style
4. conforming to generally accepted principles or methods
Society:
1. the sum of social relationships among groups of humans or animals
2. a structured community of people bound together by similar traditions, institutions, or nationality
3. the customs of a community and the way it is organized, e.g. its class structure
4. a particular section of a community that is distinguished by particular qualities
5. the prominent or fashionable people in a community, or their social life
6. an organized group of people who share an interest, aim, or profession
Classic Societies:
1. The change to more complex societies was not inevitable
2. Classical societies 500BCE – 500CE
3. Persia, China, India, Mediterranean
4. Expansion via:
- Technology
- Armies
- Trade
- Class conflicts
- Cultural and philosophical traditions
5. Elsewhere:
- Mande pg. 419
- Olmec pg. 65-66
- Maya pg. 66 - 68
6. Greek Culture Spread
- Colonies
- Alexander the great pg. 88-89, 94, 116, 118-119, 137, 138
- Roman Empire
7. Greece is not the foundation for the west
Summary:
1. Classical societies were a foundation or legacy (not as much as we think though)
2. Classical societies are something to go back to
- Italian Renaissance
- Neo-classicism
Todd May
GE 110 World Civilizations
September 19, 2007
Response paper #4
A “classic” society is a lasting society which we can look back on, learn from, and go back to, or base new societies on. “Classic” societies existed from around 5000 B.C.E. to 500 C.E. Some examples of a “classic” society would be Persia, China, India, the Mediterranean or other similar societies. Other societies that could be considered a “classic” society would be the Mande, the Olmec, and the Maya societies.
These “classic” societies had their way of life spread to other societies through technology, armies, trade, class conflicts, cultural and philosophical traditions, and other ways. Technology would be developed in one society and then other societies would adopt it for use in their society. Armies would travel to many different areas and be able to show other societies their way of life and also get ideas from the other societies for their own society. Trade would give one society something that another society usually specialized in or had extra of. Cultural, philosophical, and sometimes religious traditions would preserve and spread the “classic” society’s way of life and through generations and around different cities when people moved.
The Greek society is an excellent example of a “classic” society getting its way of life spread through numerous colonies. Alexander the Great conquered many cities and promoted a Greek way of living in those cities. Another major influence on the spread of Greek society was the Roman Empire which adopted a fair amount of the Greek way of living and then used it over the vast Roman Empire. Even though the Greek society is considered a big foundation for the west it is not as much of the foundation as many people think.
A society is considered “classic” when it has existed for many years, it is a foundation for other societies, and it is a place for people to get inspiration for other societies. That would mean that other societies would take ideas from that “classic” society and use them in their own society. The “classic” societies are also something other societies will tend to go back to as in the Italian Renaissance or Neo-classical age. The Italian Renaissance was when people in Europe started building with Greek and Roman inspiration. They did this in an effort to revive some of the old art. “Classic” societies created some amazing art and architecture which is a good thing to go back to or base other art and architecture off of. That way art and architecture does not always start from scratch.
Societies that people get inspiration from, go back to, or build upon are considered a “classic” society. This is a useful concept because a “classic” society is a good place to get ideas and they usually create lasting impacts on our lives.