1. Unit 2: Classical Period 600 BCE – 600 CE
The Classical Empires
Unit 2: Classical Period
600 BCE – 600 CE

2. 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

3. Answer the following questions in your notebook:
How would you define the term “empire”?
What are the reasons an empire is created?

4. What is an Empire?
A state with political control of people and regions with different cultural and ethnic backgrounds

5. 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

6. Characteristics of an Empire
Diverse population
Strong government
Strong military
Strong diplomacy
Peaceful negotiations between two countries or regions

7. 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

8. Review: What is an empire? Why are empires created?
What is cultural diffusion?

9. Major Classical Civilizations
Persia
China (Zhou, Qin, Han dynasties)
India (Gupta dynasty)
Greece
Rome
Mayans (Americas)

10. The Persian Empire (558-332 BCE)
Founded by Cyrus the Great
Darius I ( 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

12. Persian Empire Persian Society Persian Economy Persian Religion
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

13. 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

14. Chinese Philosophies Confucianism Daoism Legalism 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. Terracotta Army

19. 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

20. Ancient Greece Geography prevented political unification Main Problems
Developed strong city- states instead  Athens and Sparta
Main Problems
Wars with Persia
Wars between city-states
Peloponnesian Wars ( BCE)
Athens vs. Sparta
Leads to downfall of Greek city-states

21. 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

22. Roman Republic (509-44 BCE) Political System
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

23. 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

24. 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

25. Expansion of the Roman Republic

26. 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.