The Classical Empires
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Transcript of The Classical Empires
THE CLASSICAL EMPIRES Unit 2: Classical Period600 BCE – 600 CE
Learning Targets/Key Themes Students will be able to:
Define an empire and explain why empires rise and fall
Describe the basic features of the earliest empires
Analyze the key interactions between Classical Empires
These themes, along with the key vocabulary (See handout) will be the basis for your test at the end of this unit
Answer the following questions in your notebook:
How would you define the term “empire”?
What are the reasons an empire is created?
What is an Empire? A state with political control of people
and regions with different cultural and ethnic backgrounds
Why Are Empires Created? Strong sense of Patriotism
Extreme pride in one’s country Expansion To benefit the regions being conquered To eliminate threats Economic gain To create a buffer zone (protection) To spread religious beliefs To gain political power
Characteristics of an Empire Diverse population Strong government Strong military Strong diplomacy
Peaceful negotiations between two countries or regions
The Classical Period (600 BCE – 600 CE)
Main Characteristics: Growth of
Empires Growth of Trade Cultural
Diffusion Spreading of
cultural ideas and traditions from one region to another
Review: What is an empire? Why are empires created? What is cultural diffusion?
Major Classical Civilizations Persia China (Zhou, Qin, Han dynasties) India (Gupta dynasty) Greece Rome Mayans (Americas)
The Persian Empire (558-332 BCE)
Founded by Cyrus the Great
Darius I (521-486 BCE) Balanced central
government and local leaders
Divided government into 3 districts to make it easier to control
Built Royal Road Fought in many wars
that lead to the decline of the empire
Persian Empire Persian Society
Women worked in textile manufacturing
Government used slaves to complete public works projects
Persian Economy Government coined money Traded with Greeks and
Indians Main City: Persepolis
Persian Religion Zoroastrianism
Classical China Zhou Dynasty (1029-
258 BCE) Mandate of Heaven
Rulers are given the right to rule by the gods
Strong landowners and weak emperor
Ends in civil war for two hundred years Leads to development
of major philosophies
Chinese Philosophies Confucianism
Founded by Confucius Relationships create an
orderly society Family is foundation of
society Daoism
“Dao” – the way Look to nature for order
Legalism Humans are naturally evil
and will only obey authority through force
Qin Dynasty (221-202 BCE) Used Legalism to
restore order Took away power
from aristocracy Strong centralized
government Unified China
Standard language and writing system
Uniform laws throughout empire
Shi Huangdi Proclaimed himself
“First Emperor” Centralized power by
banning local militaries Built roads to improve
communications Started building the
Great Wall of China Forced labor Also built his own tomb
with the Terracotta Army
Terracotta Army
Han Dynasty (202 BCE – 220 CE)
Founded by a peasant Longest Chinese
dynasty Conquered Vietnam,
Korea and parts of Central Asia
Traded with India, Rome, Persia
Continued building Great Wall of China
Reformed government Promoted Confucianism
Ancient Greece Geography prevented
political unification Developed strong city-
states instead Athens and Sparta
Main Problems Wars with Persia Wars between city-
states Peloponnesian Wars
(431-404 BCE) Athens vs. Sparta Leads to downfall of
Greek city-states
Alexander the Great (332-323 BCE)
Alex’s father, Philip II, conquered most of Greece
Built a massive empire, including Greece, Egypt, and Persia
Tries to invade India, but his military refuses
After death, empire divided in three parts
Main Contribution: Hellenism Blending of Greek
and Middle Eastern/Asian cultures
Roman Republic (509-44 BCE)
Political System Republic Consuls Senate (patricians
upper class) Tribunes (plebians lower
class) Focused on military
expansion Laws Twelve Tables
Created laws that everyone must follow
Protected the lower classes
End of the Roman Republic Growing Tensions between
the rich and poor Food shortages, not enough
opportunities to own land or get certain jobs
Julius Caesar General in Roman Army 44 BCE: Invades Rome with
his own military and declares himself “dictator for life”
Assassinated by upper-class senators
The Roman Empire (31 BCE – 476 CE)
Established by Augustus Caesar Continued military expansion First true emperor of Rome “Pax Romana” (Roman Peace)
Height of Roman Empire; Great cultural and political achievements
NOT a dynasty (Unlike China and India) Succession based on military strength
Tolerated local customs and religions Laws and Nationalism held empire together
Expansion of the Roman Republic
The Decline of the Roman Empire
1). How did the geography of Greece impact its political development?
2). Describe the City-State of Sparta. (culture, lifestyle, economy)
3). Describe the City-State of Athens. (culture, lifestyle, economy)
4). Which city-state would you wish to live in back in Ancient Greece? Explain why in complete sentences.
5). Why was Alexander the Great able to conquer Greece so easily?
6). What is Hellenism and how is Alexander the Great connected to it?
7). Describe the Structure of the Roman Republic. 8). Why is Augustus Caesar considered the 1st Emperor
of Rome? 9). What is the difference between Plebeians and
Patricians? 10). Thoroughly explain 1 reason why the Roman Empire
fell in 476c.e.