BEFORE DEVELOPMENT

The first century AD was a time of great change and ferment throughout the world. Many civilizations that had existed for centuries were beginning to decline, and new powers were rising to take their place. The Roman Empire, which had established itself as the dominant power in the Mediterranean world, was at the height of its power, while empires in China and India were also enjoying periods of expansion and prosperity. Meanwhile, smaller tribes and kingdoms in Europe and Africa were struggling to maintain their independence and identity in the face of larger, more powerful neighbors.

In the Mediterranean world, the Roman Empire was the dominant political and cultural force of the first century AD. The Roman Empire had grown through a series of conquests and alliances, absorbing many of the civilizations that had previously existed in the Mediterranean basin. By the first century AD, Rome had control over most of the Mediterranean world, from North Africa and Spain to modern-day Turkey and Egypt. The famous Roman roads connected many of these regions together, facilitating trade and communication across vast distances.

However, the Roman Empire was not without its problems. The wealth of the empire was concentrated in the hands of a small number of elites, while the vast majority of the population lived in poverty and worked long hours in harsh conditions. Slavery was widespread throughout the empire, and many slaves were forced to work in mines, on farms, or in other dangerous occupations. There were also frequent outbreaks of unrest and rebellion, as people protested against the harshness of their lives and the injustices of the empire.

The first century was also a time of great religious and cultural change. In the Roman world, the traditional polytheistic religion was beginning to give way to new religions and philosophical movements. The cult of Isis, which originated in Egypt, spread throughout the Mediterranean world, while the new religion of Christianity was growing in popularity in Judea and other parts of the Roman Empire. Meanwhile, the philosophical schools of Stoicism, Epicureanism, and Neoplatonism were gaining followers throughout the empire and offered alternative ways of understanding the world and one's place in it.

Outside of the Roman Empire, other civilizations were also experiencing periods of growth and expansion. In China, the Han dynasty was at the height of its power and was known for its advances in science, medicine, and agriculture. The Silk Road, which connected China with the Mediterranean world, facilitated trade and cultural exchange between the two regions. Meanwhile, in India, the Mauryan and Gupta empires were expanding their territories and promoting new forms of art, literature, and philosophy. These empires also developed trade networks with other regions, especially Southeast Asia.

In Europe, the first century was marked by the continuing expansion of the Germanic tribes and other smaller kingdoms. The Celts, who had dominated much of Europe in the previous centuries, were beginning to lose power and territory, particularly with the arrival of the Roman legions. The Germanic tribes, including the Goths, Vandals, and Saxons, were slowly moving westward, displacing other tribes and establishing their own kingdoms. In the Middle East and North Africa, the Sassanian Empire was establishing itself as the dominant power, while the Berbers and other tribes were struggling to maintain their independence.

Overall, the world in the first century was a complex and dynamic place, marked by the rise and fall of civilizations, the spread of new religions and philosophical movements, and the expansion and contraction of political power. While the Roman Empire was the dominant player in the Mediterranean world, other civilizations were also experiencing periods of growth and expansion, and smaller tribes and kingdoms were struggling to maintain their autonomy and identity. Looking back on this period, we can see it as a time of great transition and change, as the world moved from the ancient cultures of the past to the more familiar world of the present.