THE CLASSICAL EMPIRES Unit 2: Classical Period 600 BCE 600
CE
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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
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Answer the following questions in your notebook: How would you
define the term empire? What are the reasons an empire is
created?
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What is an Empire? A state with political control of people and
regions with different cultural and ethnic backgrounds
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Why Are Empires Created? Strong sense of Patriotism Extreme
pride in ones 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
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Characteristics of an Empire Diverse population Strong
government Strong military Strong diplomacy Peaceful negotiations
between two countries or regions
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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
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Review: What is an empire? Why are empires created? What is
cultural diffusion?
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Major Classical Civilizations Persia China (Zhou, Qin, Han
dynasties) India (Gupta dynasty) Greece Rome Mayans (Americas)
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Terracotta Army
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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
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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
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Alexander the Great (332-323 BCE) Alexs 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
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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
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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
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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
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Expansion of the Roman Republic
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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 1 st
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.