THE CLASSICAL EMPIRES Unit 2: Classical Period

600 BCE – 600 CE

WHICH SOCIETY CREATES THE LARGEST EMPIRE IN WORLD HISTORY?

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 (multiethnic) Strong government (usually centralized) Strong military (or standing 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? Give one ancient example of cultural

diffusion & give one modern example of 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

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)

Alexander’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

History of Rome’s Gov’t

800 – 509 bce: Rome controlled by nearby monarchies or monarchies from within Rome

509 bce – 44 bce: Rome controlled by a Senate of powerful/well-educated leaders (Patricians)

31 bce – 476 ce: Rome develops an Empire that is led by a single Emperor

476ce : Rome falls to German warriors (ostrogoths/visigoths/huns), leading to Europe’s ‘Dark Age’

Roman Republic (509-44 BCE)

Political System Republic Consuls Senate (patricians

upper class) Tribunes (plebeians

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

The Roman Empire (31 BCE – 476 CE)

Fell in 476c.e. due to a myriad of reasons: Corrupt leaders (bribery, embezzlement) Weak boarder security (German invaders) Christianity spreading (didn’t want to fight) Moral decay (prostitution, crime, violent mobs) Inflation (people needed more $$ for same

products) Over-expansion (Rome had to continue

conquering to feed lands…led to a need for further conquering)

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.

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