Common Characteristic of the Classical Age Empires

Han, Rome, Greece, Gupta

Political Administration• Institutions–Centralized Governments

–Legal Systems and Law Codes–Bureaucracies

Chinese DynastyThe “Caesar”

Most advanced in ChinaLocal rule more important in Rome

Maintaining Military Power and Economic Success

• Diplomacy• Maintaining Supply lines• Fortifications, Walls, Roads•Recruiting locals into military•Promotion of Trade Relationships

Importance of Cities

• Centers of Trade• Religious Ceremonies• Location of political Institutions

Roman SenateChinese Grand Council

Examine the characteristicsof the Classical Cities:Identify at least2 similarities

Economic centers

Religious Centers

Along key waterways

Defense Systems

Chang’an (Xian)

Pataliputra

Persepolis

Constantinople

Athens

Alexandria

Rome & Carthage

Social Structures

• Hierarchical • Each empire had

different criteria for determining your place

Elites

Merchants and Artisans

Laborers

SlavesEx: India’s Hinduism and the caste system. Roman value on private property

Labor Systems

• Used to maintain production of food• Elevated status of elites• Examples:

CorveeSlaveryTributes

Decline and Fall

• Internal– Political Apathy and Corruption– Social and Economic Tensions

– Excessive mobilization– Environmental damage

• Gap increases between rich and poor• Taxation

• Deforestation• Desertification

Decline and Fall• External– Security issues

– Invasion

• Cost of maintaining protection• Miles of border to

protect• Diverse people to

keep peaceful

• Xiongnu (Han China)• White Huns (India)• Germanic Tribes (Rome)