The AXIAL PERIOD is the 1200 year period from 600BCE to 600CE.It is during this time that most of the world’s major religions were formed.The term axial is used because it is said that the creation of religions began to turn along this axle.
Zoroaster – Zoroastrianism – c.538BCE
Lao Tzu – Taoism – c.600BCE
Confucius – Confucianism—531BCE
Siddhartha Gautama – Buddhism – 563BCE
Jesus – Christianity – c1CE
Muhammad – Islam – 570CE
Jewish Scribes – Judaism – 586BCE-538BCE
Vardhamana Mahavira – Jainism – 599BCE
REASONS FOR THE
AXIAL PERIOD
1.AGRICULTURE had developed to the point that surpluses existed.Techniques in farming and herding allowed communities to grow, raise, and store excess food.This allowed for trade opportunities with surrounding communities and an interaction of people and ideas.
2.FREE TIME was created because people did not need to constantly be in the fields working.This led to people dedicating their time to scholarly pursuits which helped to create ALPHABETS.This allowed people to begin writing their beliefs (creeds) down to preserve them.
3.EMPIRES were coming into power.This allowed the conquering nations to spread their culture and that of the places their armies had travelled.It also led to the development of roads.Empires created roadways all over their domain in order to move armies quickly from one place to another.These roads were policed, so people could also travel safely to other communities.
4.WESTERN AND SOUTHERN ASIA was the birthplace of many of these religions.This area was also populated/conquered by many empires and civilizations.Therefore, ideas circulated very quickly.