600 BCE - 600 CE Second-Wave Civilizations

This course is a part of World history, a 6-course Topic series from Khan Academy.

This period lays the foundation for much of civilization as we know it today. The classical Greeks lay the cultural foundation for Western civilization. The Achaemenid Persians under Cyrus unify much of the Middle East and Egypt. Alexander the Great unifies Greece with Persia. Later, the Roman Empire dominates the Mediterranean and Europe.

This course contains 18 segments:

Ancient Persia

An overview of the ancient Persian empire, with focus on the Achaemenid Empire started by Cyrus the Great and ended by Alexander the Great.

Classical Greece

Greece fights off the Persians and enters its Golden Era, only to breakdown into the Peloponnesian war and eventual conquest by the Macedonians.

The rise and fall of empires

Comparing the rise and fall of empires

Empire of Alexander the Great

A survey of the Macedonian conquests of Greece and Persia.

Rise of Rome

Starting as a small kingdom city-state on the Italian peninsula before the 8th century BCE, Rome grows first into a republic that dominates the Mediterranean and Europe and lays the foundation for Western Civilization.

From Roman Republic to Roman Empire

After nearly 500 years as a Republic, Rome officially becomes an empire under Augustus.

The Roman Empire

A survey of the Roman Empire from Augustus and Pax Romana to the fall of the Western Roman Empire 500 years later.

Ancient and Imperial China

For over 3500 years, China has had a relatively continuous civilization with long-lasting dynasties. In this tutorial, we will explore some of the most significant of these early dynasties, from the Zhou to the Qin to the Han.

Early Judaism

Judaism is the basis of the religious beliefs of roughly half the world's population (Jews, Christians and Muslims). In this tutorial, we will explore the significant biblical and historical events.

Early Christianity

Christianity starts as a Jewish sect on the periphery of the Roman Empire. Despite being actively persecuted, the religion grows through the Empire, eventually becoming the official state religion.

Early Americas

From the Mayans to the Teotihuacans in Mesoamerica to the Chavin, Nazca, Moche, Huari and Tiwanaku in the Andes, 600 BCE - 600 CE represents the rise (and fall) of many significant civilizations and cultures.

Empires in India

As we transition from the end of the Vedic Period, we enter into a time of the first significant empire formation in India. Both the Maurya and Gupta empires will have lasting impact not only on India, but the world.

Early Hinduism

Often considered the world's oldest living religion, Hinduism is still practiced by over 1 billion people despite having roots in the Vedic Period and the Indus Valley Civilization. It is also one of the most diverse and open religions.

Early Buddhism

From the life of Siddartha Gautama Buddha to his teachings and modern schools of Buddhism.

Syncretism

Women and families

This section offers an exploration of how women and families lived in different places in history.

Transregional Trade: the Silk Road

Survey of second-wave civilizations

This tutorial attempts to give a very high level view of the civilizations that emerge in the period around 600 BCE.