Unit 9 — Classical Civilizations and the Ancient World

Welcome to Grade 7 World History!

Throughout history, civilizations have developed new ideas about government, science, philosophy, engineering, trade, and culture.

Many of these ideas continue to influence societies around the world today.

In this unit, you will explore several of the great classical civilizations and examine how their achievements shaped human history.

What Is a Classical Civilization?

A classical civilization is a society that made lasting contributions to human history through its government, culture, science, literature, philosophy, technology, or laws.

Examples include:

• Ancient Greece
• Ancient Rome
• Classical India
• Imperial China

Although these civilizations developed independently, each helped shape the modern world.

Government

Civilizations created different forms of government.

Examples included:

• monarchies
• republics
• democracies
• empires

Governments helped maintain order by:

• creating laws
• organizing public works
• collecting taxes
• providing defense
• settling disputes

Many ideas about government continue to evolve today.

Philosophy

Philosophers asked important questions such as:

• What is justice?
• What is a good life?
• What makes a government fair?
• How should people treat one another?

Important philosophers included:

• Socrates
• Plato
• Aristotle
• Confucius

Their ideas continue to influence education, ethics, politics, and philosophy.

Science and Mathematics

Classical civilizations made major advances in:

• astronomy
• mathematics
• medicine
• engineering
• architecture

Examples include:

• geometry
• medical observation
• calendars
• irrigation systems
• roads
• bridges
• aqueducts

Scientific knowledge expanded through careful observation and experimentation.

Trade

Trade connected civilizations across large distances.

Important trade networks included:

• the Silk Road
• Mediterranean sea routes
• Indian Ocean trade routes

Merchants exchanged:

• goods
• technologies
• artistic ideas
• religions
• scientific knowledge

Trade encouraged cooperation as well as competition among societies.

Culture

Civilizations expressed their values through:

• literature
• art
• music
• architecture
• religion
• education

Many famous works of literature and architecture remain admired today.

Studying culture helps us understand how people viewed themselves and the world around them.

Rise and Decline

Civilizations often experienced periods of:

• growth
• stability
• expansion
• conflict
• decline

Many factors influenced these changes.

Examples include:

• economic conditions
• leadership
• natural disasters
• warfare
• disease
• environmental change

Historians study these patterns to better understand the development of societies.

Learning from History

History provides opportunities to examine:

• successes
• mistakes
• innovations
• cooperation
• conflict

Understanding history helps people make thoughtful decisions about the future.

Activity

Choose one classical civilization.

Research:

• geography
• government
• important leaders
• philosophy
• scientific achievements
• trade
• culture
• lasting contributions

Create a timeline and an illustrated report.

Practice

Answer these questions.

What is a classical civilization?

Why were governments important?

How did philosophers influence society?

How did trade connect civilizations?

Why do civilizations rise and decline?

How can studying history help us today?

Review

Today you learned:

• classical civilizations made lasting contributions to world history
• governments organized society and created laws
• philosophers explored important questions about life and justice
• scientific discoveries improved daily life
• trade spread ideas and technologies
• civilizations changed over time for many different reasons
• history helps us better understand both the past and the present

The achievements of the classical world continue to influence education, government, science, engineering, and culture throughout the modern world.

Looking Ahead

Next we will investigate the medieval world, including the growth of kingdoms and empires, cultural exchange, technological innovation, and the development of societies across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.