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During the Classical Era, catalysts of change were numerous, ranging from the Islamic religion to the expanding trade routes throughout the known world. Islam started in 570CE with the birth of Muhammad and made large strides very quickly to expand from Mecca while acquiring most of the Middle East. Also new technology made travel and trading much faster and safer.
Major technological advances during this time period changed trading and traveling drastically. The invention of dhow ships allowed for much quicker sea-faring mercantilism as well as the stirrup and saddle making land-based trading and traveling safer, along with icnreasing the speed.
The first major change in the Classical Era was that the population grew rapidly getting up to almost 5 million people. What also grew was the states and empires including the Roman, Persian, Chinese, and Indian empires. New religions and technologies came into play during this era. Technologies like the wheelbarrow, porcelain, or the compass. Much more communication that connected more and more people. What helped communication grow was the many new trade routes that allowed people to exchange ideas.
The major trade routes in use during the Classical Era were the Saharan Desert trade route, the Silk Road, and the Indian Ocean Trade Route. Along these trade routes luxury good from all over the known world were distributed. Gold and ivory from Western African empires made their way to Western Europe through the Mediterranean Sea and to East Asian and Pacific societies like China and the Phillipeans. Also goods such as silk, porcelain, and tea made the long journey to high-demand areas like Western European civilizations.
Not many events continued during this era, many things were changing like the rise and fall of empires. What did stay the same was patriarchy, the divide between the elite and everyone else. There also was the practice of slavery and monarchs continued to rule over most of their land.
Important migrations during this time period included the Bantu migrations, the Huns moving from Asia into Europe. Also people within Europe migrating to places.
The Persian Empire rose to power in 500 BCE and became one of the most impressive and dominant societies to be established during this time period. Located on the Iranian Plateau, north of the Persian Gulf, this empire was well established between Europe and Eastern Asia along key trading routes to build an excellent merchant class on the silk road and Indian Ocean trade network. Persia was ruled by multiple, succesful leaders, such as Cyrus, Darius, and Xerxes.
New religions, nations, and technology spread throughout the Classical Era. New religions like Confucianism, Daoism, Christianity, and Buddhism expanded their sphere's of influence. States like the Chinese dynasties along with the Islamic Empire expanded their borders extensively throughout this era.
The Justinian Plague of 540CE was a ruinous predecessor to the later Bubonic Plague. This plague devastated Eastern Europe by killing off 25% of it's inhabitants, an estimated 25 million people, or more. This plague came from the African nations of Egypt and Ethiopia, arriving on merchant ships carrying diseased rats.
The life if Jesus Christ is one that has affected history immensely. Born in 3BCE and crucified 33CE, he was told to be the Son of God as well as perform numerous miracles and started the church. He was crucified by the Roman Empire, accused of blasphemy. During his life he lead multiple groups and was labeled the "King of the Jews," which at the time was one of the most disliked groups. His actions, teachings, and even his death are the basis for one of the largest and long-lasting religions in history, Christianity.
A key turning point towards the end of the Classical Era was the birth of Muhammad. Muhammad was a merchant who married a much more successful, and older woman named Khadijah. Muhammad became a prophet of the Muslim faith by revealing the words of Allah in the Quran. This religious promotion and encouragement of trading led to a large, influential empire that made large strides in advancing technology based around trading, from their home in the Middle East down to the Swahili City States as well going as far East as the Straight of Malacca.
The gradual fall of the Roman Empire was the beginning of the end to the Classical Era. One of the most expansive empires the world has ever seen with some of the greatest political and technological advances that came to an end due to corrupt, reckless leaders who sought nothing but the previous honor and prestige of Rome's most glorious emperors.