1. Topic 3: The First Age of Empires
Part 1: How did Big Empires Develop?

2. A little about this topic
In the last topic, we focused on development of civilizations
In this chapter, and in the next three chapters, we will focus on the rise of major empires.
What is the difference between a civilization and an empire? And, what is triggering this change?

3. Population Growth
Expanding Networks of Exchange

4. Population Growth (background – no need to write)
• Between 1000 BCE and 1 CE world population rose from about 120 to about 250 million.
• This rise was fueled by an acceleration in the rate of growth during this time.
• Between 3,000 and 1,000 BCE, it took about 1,600 years for world population to double.
• Between 1,000 BCE and 1 CE the doubling time was less than 1,000 years.

5. What caused the surge in population?

6. What Caused a Surge in populations? p. 1 of 2
In Afroeurasia, the invention of iron enabled farmers to clear and cultivate millions of acres never before used for farming.
Farming and pastoral nomadism replaced hunting and gathering in some regions. People moved into previously uninhabited areas.

7. What Caused a Surge in populations? P 2 of 2
Improved kinds of crops produced more food per acre.
Horses and camels began to be used more as work animals, making farms more productive.
People began to live closer in denser populations. This led to the build-up of natural immunities to local infectious diseases but left people vulnerable to epidemics caused by diseases new to the region.

8. What were the Consequences of growth?
Over time, deforestation led to soil erosion, shortages of wood for fuel, and the extinction of some local animal and plant species.
When communities grew larger, more complex, and closer together, new political, social, and economic systems became necessary.

9. What were the Consequences of growth?
Collective learning increased, further fueling advances in technology.
Although the vast majority of people still inhabited rural farming villages, more people than ever before began living in large cities.

10. Expanding Networks
Routes Around 300 BCE to 300 CE, merchants, shippers, sea captains, and empire-builders extended and strengthened trade routes across Afroeurasia and the Americas.
Empires Empires required networks of military and political communication. These networks encouraged interaction of many kinds over long distances.
Writing With the appearance of alphabetic writing systems in Afroeurasia, people could communicate faster and easier than ever before.
Religions The appearance of world religions— Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, and Christianity—stimulated cultural interchange across political and cultural boundaries.

11. On the map are some of the goods traded along the
Afroeurasian networks.
Expanding Networks: Routes

12. Large Empires of Afroeurasia
500 BCE CE
Rome
Kush
Han
Maurya/
Gupta
Byzantium
Persians
Axum

13. Expanding Networks: Religions
Hinduism
Judaism
Buddhism
Christianity

14. Growth of World Religions In the Age of Empires
Hinduism
From lst
millennium BCE
Buddhism
From 5th century
BCE
Christianity
From 1st century CE
Judaism
Communities
scattered widely in
Southwest Asia,
Northern Africa, and
Europe, especially
from the first century
CE.
Outline Map: Microsoft Encarta Reference Library 2002

15. Expanding Networks: Religions
When people carried a new religion from place to place, they also often took along
A writing system (This was useful in teaching holy scripture.)
Trade goods (Religion was a basis of trust among merchants.)
Art styles (Religious ideas were often expressed in painting, sculpture, and architecture.)
Russian Orthodox Icon, Kremlim, Moscow: Photo by Ross Dunn

16. Population growth in during this age was linked to the expansion of agriculture. Increases in population density and job specialization in farming communities led to the creation of more and larger cities.
Population Growth
Expanded networks of exchange allowed people, goods, and ideas to move thousands of miles. The development of alphabetic writing systems speeded up the transfer of information. Also, people who met, shared ideas, and conducted business with one another helped spread new world religions across Afroeurasia.
Expanding Networks
of Exchange

17. Final Thoughts on Population Growth
3 – Explain how the causes identified in question 1 might have led to population growth
4 – Explain how the consequences of population growth listed in questions 2 might have led to famine (lack of food).

18. Part 2: Egypt Becomes an Empire

19. Topic 3, Part 2: The Egyptian Empire Lecture Notes
An Egyptian Empire – The New Kingdom
1600 BC Queen Ahhotep retakes control of Egypt
Egypt at its height
Most wealthy
Most powerful
Hatshepsut (1472BC) rules
A great ruler
Trades to bring in great wealth

20. Read a little more about Hatshepsut
In your packet

21. Topic 3, Part 2: The Egyptian Empire Lecture Notes Cont’d
Two more powerful rulers
Thutmose III
Builds on Hatshepsut’s power
Very warlike
Invades Palestine, Syria and Nubia
Ramses II
Leads Egypt to peace with the Hittites
Hittites were great iron workers

22. Great Building Projects of the New Kingdom:

23. Topic 3, Part 2: The Egyptian Empire Lecture Notes Cont’d
End of the Empire
1200 BC – Attacks from “Sea Peoples”
Also invaded by Kushites/Nubians from South
Nubians
Traded goods from interior of Africa w/ Egyptians
At times, Nubians such as Piankhi ruled Egypt as pharaoh

24. Nubian Pyramids

26. Topic 3: First Empires Part 3: Empires of the Near East

27. Topic 3, Part 3: Empires of the Near East Lecture Notes
The Hittite Empire (2,000 BC-1200 BC)
Indo European herders who migrated from central Eurasia
New Technologies:
Horse-drawn chariots
Composite Bows.
Heavy armor
Developed iron working and charcoal technology

29. Topic 3, Part 3: Empires of the Near East Lecture Notes
Assyrians
Warlike people from N. Mesopotamia
Great weapons and military organization
Used ironworking technology
Killed or enslaved their captives

30. Topic 3, Part 3: Empires of the Near East Lecture Notes
The Assyrian Empire
Conquered Syria, Palestine, Babylonia and parts of Egypt
Assyrians chose the rulers of their conquered enemies
Cultural Contributions
Built the first library
Collected ancient works
Hanging Gardens of Nebuchadnezzar
Eventually conquered by Persians

31. Topic 3, Part 3: Empires of the Near East Lecture Notes
How was the Persian Empire founded?
550 BCE – Cyrus III conquers Median kingdom, uniting Medes and Persians – founds Achaemenid Dynasty
Also united Babylon
How did Darius’ accomplishments as king help Persia unite and expand?
Royal Road tied empire together
Canals brought trade, united empire
Provinces (Satrapies) with governors (satraps) made administration easier
Used bureaucracy to help run empire

32. 4. What political policies helped Cyrus and Darius control the Persian Empire?
Cyrus: Tolerance; liberated Jews, allowing them to return to Israel; Allowed religious freedom; Charter of Human Rights (Cyrus); Outlawed slavery and terrorism
Darius: Influenced trade; Introduced coinage; Royal Road and canal; developed an imperial bureaucracy; divided the empire into provinces called satraps;
5. What was Zoroastrianism? What connections can be made between this religion and the “three great monotheistic religions” of the world today (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam)?
Created by Zorathustra/Zoroaster
Taught that life was a struggle between the spirit of good (Ahura Mazda) and forces of evil
Still practiced by some in Iran
Holy book: Avesta

33. Charter of Human Rights Cyrus, Persia
TED Talk:

34. Topic 3: First Empires Part 4: New Ideas in India

35. Topic 3, Part 4: New Ideas in India Lecture Notes
The Aryan Invasion
Aryan arrive in 1500 BC
Indo-European invaders
Like Persians!
Came through Hindu-Kush and Khyber Pass
400 BC – development of writing system called Sanskrit
Vedas – a holy book that tells us about the Aryans

36. Indian Thought (no need to write this)
“It is better to do one’s own duty badly than to do another’s duty well.”
The Bhagavad-Gita
Indian life had TWO basic parts
The caste system
The family structure

37. Topic 3, Part 4: New Ideas in India Lecture Notes
The Caste System
Aryans develop a rigid, closed social hierarchy based on occupation
Could not move up or down
Hereditary
Impacted
Marriage
Dress
Residence
Untouchables/Pariahs
Unskilled workers
Skilled workers
Warriors
Priests and Rulers

38. Topic 3, Part 4: New Ideas in India Lecture Notes
Caste Rules
High caste individuals had strictest rules to protect “spiritual purity.”
Pariahs/Untouchables
those who were at the lowest caste
Had to do “impure jobs” – manual labor!
Ensured a stable social order
Caste gave people sense of identity and interdependence
Each caste had special role

39. Topic 3, Part 4: New Ideas in India Lecture Notes
Hinduism Begins
Aryans mix with native people
Ideas blend to create a new religion: Hinduism
Has no single founder
Sacred Texts: Vedas, and Upanishads
Grew out of overlapping beliefs
Very complex – many gods

40. “God is one, but wise people know it by many names.”
-Ancient Proverb
What does this quotation mean to you?
What can we say about Hinduism based on this quotation?

41. Topic 3, Part 4: New Ideas in India Lecture Notes
The Brahman
Brahman=All powerful spiritual forces
Brahman take the form of a variety of gods
Brahma, the Creator
Vishnu, the Preserver
Shiva, the Destroyer

42. Topic 3, Part 4: New Ideas in India Lecture Notes
The Hindu Goal of Life
Everyman has a soul (atman)
Ultimate goal: to achieve moksha - union of self with brahman
Two steps:
Obeying the law of karma - actions in life impact fate in the next life
Dharma: religious and moral duties
Reincarnation An endless cycle of death and rebirth until achievement of moksha

43. Topic 3, Part 4: New Ideas in India Lecture Notes
Religious Change: Siddhartha Guatama
Born 466 B.C. in high-caste family
Lived his life in ease until he saw people suffering
Decide to find a “more perfect world”
Meditated and fasted for 48 days until he became “the Buddha, the Enlightened One”

44. Topic 3, Part 4: New Ideas in India Lecture Notes
The Four Noble Truths
After meditating, Buddha realized…
Life = suffering
Suffering caused by desire
Suffering only cured by overcoming desire
Overcoming desire can only be achieved by following the Eightfold Path which will lead to “nirvana” (spiritual enlightenment)
The Buddha’s message was written down in a holy book called the Tripitaka
Goal was to reach “Nirvana” or “Enlightenment”

45. The 8 Fold Path Right views Right aspirations Right speech
Right conduct
Right livelihood
Right effort
Right mindfulness
Right contemplation
Goal was to reach “Nirvana” or “Enlightenment”
Buddhist holy book: Tripitaka

46. Journal Entry: Buddhism
Choose one of the following quotations to respond to in a short paragraph. In your response, explain what you think the Buddha meant in the quotation, and whether you agree with his statement.
1) To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one's family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control one's own mind. If a man can control his mind he can find the way to Enlightenment, and all wisdom and virtue will naturally come to him.
2) “Not by birth does one become an outcast, not by birth does one become a Brahmin [priest]. By deeds one becomes an outcast, by deeds one becomes a Brahmin.”

47. Double Bubble Map
In your packet complete the DOUBLE BUBBLE MAP comparing and contrasting Hinduism and Buddhism

48. Hinduism and Buddhism Compared/ Contrasted (this can be your summary)
Both
India
Belief in Enlightenment
Reincarnation
Non-violence
Hinduism
Caste System
No Founder
Vedas and Upanishads (holy books)
Ancient Religion
Goal: Moksha
Buddhism
No caste system
Founder – Sid G
Tripitaka (holy books)
New Religion
Goal: Nirvana

49. Topic 3: First Empires Part 5: Indian Imperial Politics

50. A little background… India basically a collection of villages
Chandragupta Maurya worked to create first centralized Indian Empire
Why would Chandragupta Maurya want to build an empire?

51. Topic 3, Part 5: Empires in India Lecture Notes
The Mauryan Empire
Chandragupta begins spreading control in Ganges Basin
Conquers north India and into Deccan Plateau
Built a bureaucracy
Used effective but harsh rule

52. Topic 3, Part 5: Empires in India Lecture Notes
The Rule of Asoka
Asoka, Chandragupta’s grandson and the most honored emperor
At first, used war to conquer
Later, converted to Buddhism—rejected violence.
Sent missionaries to spread Buddhism to China
Tolerant of other religions
Public works united Empire
Created stone pillars proclaiming edicts

54. Asoka’s Edicts Read Asoka’s declaration As you read, thinking about
How does the emperor prove his right to rule?
Who does the emperor see as his subject?
Does the document indicate that the emperor feels any responsibilities to the people he rules?
What was the purpose of the document?
How would you compare this document to Cyrus’s Charter of Human Rights?

55. Topic 3, Part 5: Empires in India Lecture Notes
The Gupta’s Reunify India
After Asoka, India is disunified
Gupta reunify from 320 AD to 550 AD
Allowed individual villages and cities to elect leaders--trade and farming flourish

56. Topic 3, Part 5: Empires in India Lecture Notes
Gupta Advancements in Learning
Peace and prosperity
Flourishing trade and farming
Building of temples and stupas (large dome shaped shrines)
Buddhist temples became centers of learning
Creation of a decimal system
Use of zero
Used numerals
Advances in surgery (setting bones)
A round earth

57. Topic 3, Part 5: Empires in India Lecture Notes
Gupta Empire reaches height about same time as Rome begins to fall
Civil war, weak rulers and invaders bring downfall
India falls into disunity for 1,000 years

58. Part 6: Chinese Philosophy and Imperial Rule

59. Discussion Questions:
Do all people believe the same things?
Are there some things that all people believe? Are there things that all people believe in?
How do beliefs begin?

60. Belief Systems Religions v. Philosophies
Religion: A belief system based on the worship of God or gods that possess supernatural powers. Religions explain why and how we came to be, what will happen when we die, what is right and wrong, and how we can live a good life
Philosophy: Greek for “Love of wisdom” or “friend of knowledge” – a search for wisdom and knowledge

61. Belief Systems in China
Chinese philosophies developed as ways to answer two important questions:
Why I am the ruler?
How should I rule?
Am I good or evil?

62. The Vinegar Tasters
The Buddha
Confucious
Lao Tzu (Laozi)

63. JigSaw Activity
To better examine each of the 4 major belief systems associated with Imperial China:
Read your article and answer the questions
Work with your partner
You will become the ‘expert’ on this topic and report back to your group
Record the information in the chart provided in the lecture notes handout

64. Four Sources Diamonds- White: The Buddha Clubs -Green: Laozi/Lao Tzu
Hearts - Blue: Confucious
Spades - Book: read “The Harsh Ideas of Legalism” on p. 90 and “Legalism” on p. 91

65. Journal Entry Choose one of the quotations below
Journal Entry Choose one of the quotations below. Tell me which of the philosophers you think said it, what it means, and to what extent you agree or disagree.
The inferior man is disrespectful to great men; he makes fun of wisdom.
Happiness does not come from having much, but from being attached to little.
The best way to run the world is to leave it alone.
The ruler alone possesses power, wielding it like lighting or like thunder.

66. Introduction to Imperial China
When we last left China…
Shang Civilization – small RVC on the Huang He River
1027BC – Shang Dynasty is overthrown by Zhou Dynasty, claiming a “mandate from heaven”

67. New Dynasty claims Mandate of Heaven
The
Dynastic Cycle
Old Dynasty
High taxes
Corruption
Can’t protect people
Roads fall apart
Unfair treatment of people
New Dynasty
Peace.
Builds roads, bridges, etc.
Gives land to peasants
Provides for defense
Years Go By
New becomes old
New Dynasty claims Mandate of Heaven
Old Dynasty loses Mandate of Heaven
Problems
Natural disasters
Riots and Revolts
Invasion

68. End of the Zhou The Zhou Dynasty lasted until 256 BC – 771 years!!
However, the Zhou weekly controlled their territories, leading to a collection of “Warring states.”
The “Warring States” battled for control of China until a new power rose to unite them

69. 3 Column Reading notes Reading about POLITICS OF CHINA Pp. 93-97
To learn more, read and take notes
“Three Column Notes”
Directions:
In LEFT column, list section/subsection headings, bold words, etc.
In MIDDLE column take notes on the most important information
In the RIGHT column, list any corresponding “extra” information for the page (maps, text boxes, diagrams, charts, etc.)