2. 1- HISTORICAL PERIODS
The historical periods refer to the people's changes in their ways of
thinking, acting and living together in society. They begin and end
with events that mark important changes in human development.
There are five main periods of human history:
Prehistory: This period started with the appearance of the
first human beings and ended with the invention of writing.
(5000000 B.C - 3000 B.C)
Antiquity: This period began with the invention of writing
and ended with the fall of the Roman Empire (3000 B.C – 476
A.D)
The Middle Ages: This period began with the fall of the
Roman Empire and ended with the European discovery of
America. (476 A.D – 1492 B.C)
The Early Modern Age: This period began with the European
discovery of America and ended with the french revolution
(1492 – 1789)
The Modern Age: The period began with the french
revolution and continues to the present day. (1789 –
nowadays)
2 – PREHISTORY
Prehistory is divided into different periods that are defined by the
tools that prehistoric people used.
STONE AGE
The Palaeolithic period: A group of hominids evolved into
human beings. They had intelligence and could walk as we do
nowadays. They lived in nomads.
The Neolithic period: Agriculture appeared. Human beings
began to keep farming and livestock. People became
sedentary and lived in small villages. They invented new
techniques for making tools.
3. During the stone age the first artistic works appeared. They made
portable art, that is, they used to make small art objects that they
could carry with them. They also did cave paintings, that means that
some people painted on the walls of caves. They evolved from
realistic images to abstract images.
BRONZE AND IRON AGES
In these ages, people started to use metal to make tools and
weapons. These objects became symbols of social status in many
cultures. They invented vehicles with wheels, which improved trade
and were more aggressive.
3 – ANTIQUITY
URBAN CIVILISATIONS (3000 B.C. - 30 B.C.)
Urban civilizations emerged in Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt.
They are called “urban” because they built the first cities. The rulers
were monarchs, who had absolute power over its people. These
rulers used their power to create irrigation canals, this created an
increase in agriculture. Writing was discovered and the first writings
appeared. They were closed societies, and art was used to
celebrate religious and political power.
CLASSICAL CIVILISATIONS (2000 B.C. - 476 A.D.)
Ancient Greece and Rome were the first classical civilizations, and
therefore, classical models for Western Culture. The first
participative governments appeared in these regions. Greece and
Rome were closed societies in which citizens had more rights, and
slavery was legal. Ancient Greece was the first civilization to use
metal coins as a form of money. Ancient Greece and Rome made
many contributions to western culture, with philosophy, art and
architecture, Latin, Roman and Christianity.
4. 4 – THE MIDDLE AGES
THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE
The Byzantine empire emerged in the Eastern Roman Empire. The
name of the empire came from the name of its capital city,
Byzantium. In politics, the highest authority in the empire was the
emperor. In economy, the empire became very prosperous,
especially in terms of agriculture and craft production. Trade was a
very important part of the economy, as the empire had a strategic
location. In religion, the byzantine empire was christian, but it didn't
accept the authority of the pope. In art and architecture, Byzantine
emperors, promoted the construction of churches and basilicas.
ISLAMIC CIVILISATION
This civilization began on the Arabian peninsula, and then
expanded among other countries. The word “Islamic” comes from
the civilization's religion, Islam. This religion was founded by the
prophet Mohammed, and its followers are called Muslims. In
politics, the highest authority was the caliph, who governed its
territories trough officials. In economy, Islamic civilization produced
many technological innovations. In religion, Islam is a monotheistic
religion, that means, people only believe in one god, Allah. Their
holy book is the Koran. In culture, Islamic civilizations brought
cultural innovations from Asia. In art and architecture, Muslim
architects designed many impressive buildings, such as palaces.
CHRISTIAN EUROPE
Christian civilization developed in the Western Roman Empire. The
three main stages were:
The rise of feudalism: Feudalism was a social system in
which members of the nobility had authority over large rural
properties called fiefdoms. The feudal lords had complete
control over their lands. The estates system appeared during
this period.
5. The decline of feudalism: The 13th century was a period of
transition in which the feudal system began to disintegrate.
New agricultural techniques were developed. The population
began to grow and there wasn't enough things for everyone.
Economic crisis: During the 14th and 15th centuries, Europe
suffered an economic crisis caused by wars and poor
harvests. There were also deadly epidemics. Feudal lords
raised taxes to maintain their wealth, and as a result, there
were protests and violent confrontations against nobility.
European art in the Middle Ages: Two new styles emerged
during this age: The Romanesque Style and the Gothic Style.
The Romanesque style was often used for churches and
monasteries, while the Gothic Style was often used in
cathedrals.
6. The decline of feudalism: The 13th century was a period of
transition in which the feudal system began to disintegrate.
New agricultural techniques were developed. The population
began to grow and there wasn't enough things for everyone.
Economic crisis: During the 14th and 15th centuries, Europe
suffered an economic crisis caused by wars and poor
harvests. There were also deadly epidemics. Feudal lords
raised taxes to maintain their wealth, and as a result, there
were protests and violent confrontations against nobility.
European art in the Middle Ages: Two new styles emerged
during this age: The Romanesque Style and the Gothic Style.
The Romanesque style was often used for churches and
monasteries, while the Gothic Style was often used in
cathedrals.
