Notes

Europe

Geography
-Oragraphic effect occurs often
-Ocean effect keeps Europe's climate constant
-Alps in the south (largest mountain range in Europe)
-Rains a lot near mountains, and has average rain amounts everywhere else
-Rain was also based on temperature of waters and wind currents
-Civilizations were based on sea

Greece

-Mountainous, little arable land, civilization based on the sea

-Variety of resources – some raising livestock, olives/olive oil, minerals, fishing
-Not enough resources for large urban centers – smaller city states emerge based on trade;
-As population grows – start Greek colonies to provide more resources
-Competed with each other; fought
-United by invasion of Persians
-Once Persians are defeated, Greek city- states once again go to war against each other – makes them weak
-Alexander the Great conquers Greeks and Persians – spreads Greek culture to the Middle East (Hellenistic)
-Western culture still sees the influence of Greece (democracy, columns, art, etc...) 

Rome

-Rome built on 7 hills overlooking the Tiber
-River – protected by Mts. and position inland
-Influenced by Greek, Latin and Etruscan peoples
-Based on Agriculture – consistent water source – rivers from Mountains
-As population grows, need for resources does as well leads to trade and expansion

Rise of Rome

-Roman merchants had easy access to trade in Mediterranean – met with resistance
-Punic Wars – another powerful trade city, Carthage went to war with Rome
-Hannibal led armies across the Alps but Rome finally wins when Scipio Africanus attacks Carthage
-46 B.C. a strong military leader named Julius Caesar – becomes Roman emperor
-Caesar is murdered on the Ides of March
-Adopted son Octavian (Ceasar Augustus) wins civil war and assumes control of Empire
-Roman armies conquer the Mediterranean and much of Europe
-Pax Romana – Roman Peace – 27BC – 180 AD 

Pax Romana

-Efficient government and able rulers

   -Splendid public buildings restored patriotism
   -Civil service system effectively managed affairs of government
   -Standardization help maintain efficiency (Roman coins)
   -Roman roads and armies were practical and efficient
   -Trade made foreign goods available everywhere; also spread Roman culture to 3
     continents 

Crusades = people that met up in Rome to go down to Israel to fight for the holy land