Instructions

Make bulleted points for each one of the following categories. Be sure to address ALL parts of each category: Social Political Examine the social/cultural conditions of each empire with a focus on the roles of women, peasants, and the social elite (Ex: Caste System of India). Examine the political organization of each empire with a focus on government structure (Ex: the Polis/City-States of Greece), major political ideas (Ex: Chinas Mandate of Heaven, democracy in Athens), and the role of bureaucracy. Mention important political figures (Ex: Wu Di of the Han), too. Examine the role of religion in each empire. You should know what religions were present and whether they played a role in government. Pay special attention to influence of Christianity in Rome and Buddhism in India & China. Examine the intellectual movements in each empire. Sometimes these movements will be related to a major religion, such as Buddhism in Mauryan India. Pay special attention to the philosophical/scientific focus of China vs. the Mediterranean. Be sure to mention specific intellectuals. Examine the technological innovations of each empire, including the movement of technology from one area to another (Ex: transfer of Chinese technologies to other parts of Asia, including Japan) Examine the economies of each empire, with a focus on trade routes and the social status of merchants.

Critical Thinking Questions: Food for Thought!

How does the political structure of India differ from China? What would this mean for long-term unity in both regions? Why were the vast empires of Rome and Han China able to outlast other massive empires, such as the Hellenic empire carved out by Alexander the Great?

Religious

Where would Mediterranean intellectuals such as Plato and Aristotle agree with Eastern intellectuals such as Confucius? How would they differ?

Intellectual

What characteristics unite the less centralized cultures of Greece and India?

Technological

What were some of the positive results of long-term political stability in China and Rome? What impact would this have on religions like Christianity and Buddhism?

Economic

In what ways would trade serve to further encourage the expansion and centralization of major classical empires?

Timelines from HyperHistory.com (http://www.hyperhistory.com)

Qin Dynasty China

Han Dynasty China

Mauryan Empire

Gupta Empire

Ancient Greece

Roman Empire

Social

Political

Religious

Intellectual

Technological

Economic

Qin Dynasty China

Han Dynasty China

Mauryan Empire India

Gupta Empire India

Ancient Greece
Bulk of population were farmers, many owned their land Upper classes rounded out by a wealthy aristocracy Slavery was prevalent Women had greater say in family affairs Relied on Polis/City-State system Athens & Sparta were the strongest Athens enjoyed a direct democracy PericlesAthenian leader who ruled through diplomacy & influ. Later would come under influence of MacedoniaAlexander the Great Had its own mythological system Persian religions such as Zoroastrianism would influence Religious structure survives in Western literary traditions Pantheon portrayed with emotion and human drama Emphasis on moral & ethical philosophies (Aristotle & Plato) Produced grand theories on the natural world; less emphasis on practical science Thought was more abstract and less practical than Chinese phil. Geometry & anatomy important Architecture was much revered; columns would be copied for centuries Speculations about natural law would drive scientific advances in astronomy

Roman Empire
Bulk of population were farmers & herdsmen; often not own land Plebian: common citizens Patrician: aristocracy Slavery was common Women had a greater say in family & economic affairs Early Rome was a balanced republicSenate/Consuls Uniform law system: 12 Tables Slowly gained territories throughout Med.; became an empire under Augustus Power maintained through governors and cultural tolerance Transitioned from an animist faith (Numina) to a pantheon based on Greek traditions Persian and Judean cults would be an influence Christianity exerts the greatest influencewould gain prominence throughout the empire Carried on the Greek tradition; heavily influenced by Greeks Assimilated Greek and Asian scientific knowledge Romans focused on engineering knowledge Art conveyed cultural values as it did in Greece Roman public works would stand the test of time; aqueducts and roads City planning was important; sewage systems & running water

Social

Large gaps between the social classes; scholar-gentry Mandarins on top Peasantry was illiterate, many worked the fields or were one of the mean peoples working unskilled jobsviewed lower than field peasants Peasants commonly formed secret societies; unions that provided communal support during times of conflict with local landowners Women were subservient to men regardless of social class; stress on respect to father and husband Social unity further influenced by adoption of Mandarin Chinese Qin Shi Huang-di, 1st Emperor; ruled with an iron fist Took power away from regional lords; harshly punished disloyalty Formed a VERY centralized government based on military might Apptd bureaucratic governors Wu-di, 1st Han Emperor; right to power through Mandate of Heaven Focused on regional bureaucracy to run the nation efficiently Established a civil service exam Long term control; est. grain stores & subsidized salt prices Highly organized

Hindu traditions would have a great influence; Caste system = social control Social classes called varnas were rigidly enforced; brahmans (priests) and kshatriyas (warriors) were at the very top Vaisyas class included merchants & farmers Sundras were below (common laborers); Untouchables at the very bottom Legal/social rights were proportional to caste position; no social movement The spread of Buddhism during the reign of Ashoka would offer parts of India a different social paradigm, but permanent changes would not take hold Founded by Chandragupta Maurya; maintained large armies to keep peacevery autocratic Ashoka further extended the boarders; converted to Buddhism Stability maintained by force; outlying regions posed occasional problems Smaller than the Mauryan, but lasted longer (200+ years) Kept loyalty in outlying regions through intermarriage and treaties Did not maintain a large bureaucracy; relied on loyal local rulers Established uniform law codes

Political

Religious

Ancient religious rites remained very important during the Qin and early Han dynasties. Beginning in the Zhou, gradually sacrificial practices were discouraged Taoist philosophy and mysticism spreads; focus on divination Buddhist beliefs travel along trade routes from India to China c.150 CE Buddhist sects begin to spread throughout China; infused Taoist ideas in Sutra translations to make religion more accessible to Chinese Chinese developed a centralistic concept of themselves (Middle Kingdom) Confucian thought would struggle with Legalism during the both dynasties Confucian ethics would dominate intellectual thought; importance of respect and knowing ones place in society In time, many Confucians would balance their political beliefs with the harmony embraced by Taoism Science was practical; emphasis on understandable, harmonious nature Agricultural innovations included plow collar for burden animals; iron tools increased yields Astronomical calendar, and an early form of seismograph developed Iron technology and weapons used throughout Qin and Han Made advances in architecture and acoustics Emphasis on defense; The Great Wall of China Other than the Great Wall, did NOT engage in monument building Trade was important during Han: jade jewelry, silks, leather good, furniture Engaged in trade along the early Silk Roadcontact with India & Rome Agricultural goods moved freely throughout the country Han government carefully controlled grain and salt prices Although trade was important; merchants were viewed with scorn by the Confucian scholar-gentryhad a status at times lower than peasants Merchants were often wealthy, though

Modern Hinduism would take its form before and during this classical era Caste system encompassed all parts of Indian lifeincluding politics Hindu-motivated political thought made its presence felt during the Gupta Empire; local leaders encouraged Hindu practices Hinduism would temporary spread beyond India during Gupta (Bali) Buddhism would gain prominence during the Mauryan Empire; although it initially spread throughout the empire, it would not permanently take hold Kautilyawrote political treatise akin to Chinese Legalism Classical literature had a more secular focus, Panchatantra Artistic trends included a keen interest in nature, the human form; colorful Art was more stylized during the Guptaoften see religious themes Guptas maintained a center for scientific thought (Nalanda); akin to a modern college; borrowed a bit from Greek learning Indian mathematics and symbols would serve as basis for West & Muslims Advances in medicine very important (first brain surgery, vaccinations) Realized the importance of sterilization of wounds of medical equipment Mathematics would include negative integers, square roots Numerical system would serve as the basis for Arabic numbers Used simple telescopes to observe the stars and planetary movements Seafaring technology advanced in conjunction with trade Trade was extremely important: cotton, spices, drugs, dyes, ivory Traded with the Chinese, the Romans via sea and land caravans Indians had the most advanced merchant naval fleet in the world; traded from the Middle East to East Asia and into Indonesia. Merchants were viewed in a higher regard than in other cultures (ex: China) Economy was still very much agrarian based; people maintained their economic prosperity through farming (or through the produce of others)

Intellectual

Technological

Economic

Greek colonization efforts would expand trade relationships throughout Med. & as far as India. Most traders were foreigners, merchants fared better in Greece than China Export of animal skins and gold Engaged in commercial agri.

Roman imperial efforts would expand trade relationships throughout Med. & China. Most traders were foreigners, merchants fared better in Rome than China Export of animal skins and gold Engaged in commercial agri.