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Eurasian Empires Eurasian Empires 500 B.C.E.-500 C.E.500 B.C.E.-500 C.E.

Chapter 4 LectureChapter 4 Lecture

A.P. World History A.P. World History

Ways of the WorldWays of the World

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Today’s Objective...Today’s Objective...

•Today we will summarize the Today we will summarize the rise and fall of the the first rise and fall of the the first major empires using lecture. major empires using lecture.

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Most Empires Follow this Cycle:Most Empires Follow this Cycle:

A series of rulers will

continue its growth and the

empire will reach its peak

Then greed and self-importance will cloud the

judgment of the ruler causing the empire’s decline.

The founder of the an empire brings unity

Persian EmpirePersian EmpireMuch that we Much that we know about know about Persian Persian history is by history is by studying what studying what is left of is left of Persian Persian documents documents and Greek and Greek historians. (ex. historians. (ex. The film 300)The film 300)

Much that we Much that we know about know about Persian Persian history is by history is by studying what studying what is left of is left of Persian Persian documents documents and Greek and Greek historians. (ex. historians. (ex. The film 300)The film 300)

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Environment and Environment and EconomyEconomy

Persia is mostly dry therefore Persia is mostly dry therefore innovations in irrigation arose innovations in irrigation arose and there was never a dense and there was never a dense populationpopulation

Irrigation system: underground Irrigation system: underground irrigation system was labor irrigation system was labor intensive intensive

Agriculture was not abundant Agriculture was not abundant causing the economy to rely causing the economy to rely heavily on the minerals and heavily on the minerals and crafted goods.crafted goods.• Copper, tin, iron, gold, and silverCopper, tin, iron, gold, and silver

MedesMedesWas profoundly Was profoundly

influenced by influenced by Mesopotamia and Mesopotamia and Uratru (New Uratru (New Armenia and Turkey)Armenia and Turkey)

Was crucial in Was crucial in destroying the destroying the Assyrian Empire Assyrian Empire (late 17th century)(late 17th century)

Went south to Went south to Persian Gulf which Persian Gulf which was occupied by was occupied by PersiansPersians

Was profoundly Was profoundly influenced by influenced by Mesopotamia and Mesopotamia and Uratru (New Uratru (New Armenia and Turkey)Armenia and Turkey)

Was crucial in Was crucial in destroying the destroying the Assyrian Empire Assyrian Empire (late 17th century)(late 17th century)

Went south to Went south to Persian Gulf which Persian Gulf which was occupied by was occupied by PersiansPersians

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Cyrus, Founder of Persian Cyrus, Founder of Persian EmpireEmpire

Overthrew the Median Monarch Overthrew the Median Monarch and was first to unite the Persian and was first to unite the Persian people.people.

Key to success: He would respect Key to success: He would respect the conquered people and placed the conquered people and placed the Medes into power positions the Medes into power positions along with fellow Persians and along with fellow Persians and kept the framework of Median kept the framework of Median rule.rule.

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Persian Societal Persian Societal Structure:Structure:

Patriarchal structure at home: Patriarchal structure at home: father head of householdfather head of household• Absolute authorityAbsolute authority

Society was hierarchical:Society was hierarchical:• Warriors: included the King and Warriors: included the King and

aristocrats; dominate in societyaristocrats; dominate in society• Priests (Magi): Needed for RitualsPriests (Magi): Needed for Rituals• Peasants: everybody else. Village Peasants: everybody else. Village

based (farmers and shepherds) based (farmers and shepherds)

Cambyses: (Kam Bie Cambyses: (Kam Bie Sees):Sees):

•Cyrus’ son, like Cyrus’ son, like father respected father respected conquered conquered peoples’ peoples’ traditions and traditions and cultures which cultures which assisted in assisted in expanding the expanding the empire even empire even further.further.

•Cyrus’ son, like Cyrus’ son, like father respected father respected conquered conquered peoples’ peoples’ traditions and traditions and cultures which cultures which assisted in assisted in expanding the expanding the empire even empire even further.further.

1100

Daruis I, 2nd founder of Daruis I, 2nd founder of the Persian Empire:the Persian Empire:

• Reduced the power of the Medes giving Reduced the power of the Medes giving more control to the Persiansmore control to the Persians

• Brought the empire to the Greek doorstep.Brought the empire to the Greek doorstep.

• Introduced new political structure:Introduced new political structure:• Satrap (hereditary provincial governors) Satrap (hereditary provincial governors)

were used to control the growing empirewere used to control the growing empire• The satraps lived in the areas that they The satraps lived in the areas that they

were governing creating a local were governing creating a local connection with natives.connection with natives.

• Movement from the empire’s center out to Movement from the empire’s center out to the peripherals caused cultural and the peripherals caused cultural and technological exchanges.technological exchanges.

• Produced a great road systemProduced a great road system

• Reduced the power of the Medes giving Reduced the power of the Medes giving more control to the Persiansmore control to the Persians

• Brought the empire to the Greek doorstep.Brought the empire to the Greek doorstep.

• Introduced new political structure:Introduced new political structure:• Satrap (hereditary provincial governors) Satrap (hereditary provincial governors)

were used to control the growing empirewere used to control the growing empire• The satraps lived in the areas that they The satraps lived in the areas that they

were governing creating a local were governing creating a local connection with natives.connection with natives.

• Movement from the empire’s center out to Movement from the empire’s center out to the peripherals caused cultural and the peripherals caused cultural and technological exchanges.technological exchanges.

• Produced a great road systemProduced a great road system

Darius, the LawgiverDarius, the LawgiverCreated a central Created a central

body of lawbody of law

Persian territories Persian territories were still allowed were still allowed to live under their to live under their own laws. own laws.

Used art to express Used art to express his vision of a vast his vision of a vast empire where all empire where all people willingly people willingly cooperated.cooperated.

Created a central Created a central body of lawbody of law

Persian territories Persian territories were still allowed were still allowed to live under their to live under their own laws. own laws.

Used art to express Used art to express his vision of a vast his vision of a vast empire where all empire where all people willingly people willingly cooperated.cooperated.

1122

Xerxes (Ahasuerus): Xerxes (Ahasuerus): Downfall of Persian Downfall of Persian

dominancedominance

•Breakdown in Breakdown in the tribute the tribute system caused system caused economic economic decline around decline around the fourth the fourth century B.C.E.century B.C.E.

Greece:Greece:Trade and cultural Trade and cultural interaction will interaction will show to their show to their strength.strength.• Imported raw Imported raw

materials and materials and ideasideas

•Exported Exported language and language and cultureculture

Trade and cultural Trade and cultural interaction will interaction will show to their show to their strength.strength.• Imported raw Imported raw

materials and materials and ideasideas

•Exported Exported language and language and cultureculture

1144

Reliance on the Sea:Reliance on the Sea:The Phoenicians had a great navy The Phoenicians had a great navy

which the Greeks borrowed from which the Greeks borrowed from encouraging sea exploration and encouraging sea exploration and trade.trade.

Increase in trade led to increase in Increase in trade led to increase in food which led to the increase food which led to the increase in populationin population

This caused the set up of coloniesThis caused the set up of colonies

Phoenician InfluencePhoenician InfluenceThe alphabetic The alphabetic

writing system writing system borrowed from the borrowed from the Phoenicians was Phoenicians was crucial for the crucial for the cultural success of cultural success of the Greeks.the Greeks.

It allowed for It allowed for widespread literacy widespread literacy which paved the which paved the way for the great way for the great Greek philosophers. Greek philosophers.

The alphabetic The alphabetic writing system writing system borrowed from the borrowed from the Phoenicians was Phoenicians was crucial for the crucial for the cultural success of cultural success of the Greeks.the Greeks.

It allowed for It allowed for widespread literacy widespread literacy which paved the which paved the way for the great way for the great Greek philosophers. Greek philosophers.

Emergence of the Polis (city Emergence of the Polis (city state)state)

Increased Increased population population density led to density led to city states to city states to materialize and materialize and therefore the therefore the need for securityneed for security

Hoplites: fierce, Hoplites: fierce, quick and quick and effective effective warfare.warfare.

Increased Increased population population density led to density led to city states to city states to materialize and materialize and therefore the therefore the need for securityneed for security

Hoplites: fierce, Hoplites: fierce, quick and quick and effective effective warfare.warfare.

Persian Wars:Persian Wars:Delian League Delian League formed to formed to protect protect themselves themselves against the against the Persians.Persians.

Greeks Greeks victorious and victorious and Athenians come Athenians come forward as the forward as the dominate state.dominate state.

Delian League Delian League formed to formed to protect protect themselves themselves against the against the Persians.Persians.

Greeks Greeks victorious and victorious and Athenians come Athenians come forward as the forward as the dominate state.dominate state.

Peloponnesian Wars:Peloponnesian Wars:

Athenians Athenians vs. Spartansvs. Spartans•Persian Persian support support allows the allows the Spartans to Spartans to fight the fight the Athenian by Athenian by sea.sea.

Athenians Athenians vs. Spartansvs. Spartans•Persian Persian support support allows the allows the Spartans to Spartans to fight the fight the Athenian by Athenian by sea.sea.

Philip II:Philip II:

While war While war was causing was causing havoc in havoc in Greece, Greece, Macedonia Macedonia became became powerful and powerful and dominant.dominant.

While war While war was causing was causing havoc in havoc in Greece, Greece, Macedonia Macedonia became became powerful and powerful and dominant.dominant.

2200

Alexander the Great:Alexander the Great:

Successfully defeated Darius III Successfully defeated Darius III from Persia. from Persia.

Alexander is a great conqueror Alexander is a great conqueror bring forth the Hellenistic Age bring forth the Hellenistic Age

This spread the Greek language This spread the Greek language and culture even further.and culture even further.

2211

The Two Empires The Two Empires Compared: Roman and Compared: Roman and

HanHan•The FamilyThe Family• Similarities:Similarities:

•Both the Roman and Han familial Both the Roman and Han familial structures are patriarchal. structures are patriarchal. • Chinese family included all generations, Chinese family included all generations,

including the deceased.including the deceased.•Strong loyalties and obligations bound Strong loyalties and obligations bound

family together.family together.•Values such as obedience, respect of Values such as obedience, respect of

superiors, duty and honor are all superiors, duty and honor are all important.important.

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AgricultureAgriculture• Both empires considered it the foundation Both empires considered it the foundation

of economy and sources of wealth.of economy and sources of wealth.• Both empires experienced political and Both empires experienced political and

social turmoil over who controlled the social turmoil over who controlled the land and how it was to be used.land and how it was to be used.• Rulers from both empires used this to their Rulers from both empires used this to their

advantage by taking land from powerful advantage by taking land from powerful aristocrats and distributing it to the small aristocrats and distributing it to the small farmer.farmer.•Human labor was an additional Human labor was an additional

resources that was beneficial to the resources that was beneficial to the Chinese. Chinese.

• When land began being owned by the few, we When land began being owned by the few, we see the start of the decline in both empires .see the start of the decline in both empires .

2233

Empire BuildingEmpire Building• Both empires spread through military Both empires spread through military

conquest which combined diverse cultures conquest which combined diverse cultures and traditions.and traditions.• Key to Roman success was granting citizenship to Key to Roman success was granting citizenship to

conquered people. Why would this help?conquered people. Why would this help?• There is still a cultural unity in these areas There is still a cultural unity in these areas

even after the fall of the empires. even after the fall of the empires. • Ex. The Romantic LanguagesEx. The Romantic Languages• Romanization of the Mediterranean Romanization of the Mediterranean

• Higher agricultural yields led to population Higher agricultural yields led to population increases.increases.

• As the resources were depleted within the As the resources were depleted within the center of the empires, settlers moved to the center of the empires, settlers moved to the outer parts. This caused the spread of the outer parts. This caused the spread of the Roman and Han cultures.Roman and Han cultures.

• Both empires spread through military Both empires spread through military conquest which combined diverse cultures conquest which combined diverse cultures and traditions.and traditions.• Key to Roman success was granting citizenship to Key to Roman success was granting citizenship to

conquered people. Why would this help?conquered people. Why would this help?• There is still a cultural unity in these areas There is still a cultural unity in these areas

even after the fall of the empires. even after the fall of the empires. • Ex. The Romantic LanguagesEx. The Romantic Languages• Romanization of the Mediterranean Romanization of the Mediterranean

• Higher agricultural yields led to population Higher agricultural yields led to population increases.increases.

• As the resources were depleted within the As the resources were depleted within the center of the empires, settlers moved to the center of the empires, settlers moved to the outer parts. This caused the spread of the outer parts. This caused the spread of the Roman and Han cultures.Roman and Han cultures.

2244

Empire Building Empire Building continued…continued…

•The conquered people easily The conquered people easily accepted the cultures of the ruling accepted the cultures of the ruling nation and adopted the traditions.nation and adopted the traditions.

•The central governments gave The central governments gave autonomy to local governments.autonomy to local governments.• Autonomy: the state of being self-Autonomy: the state of being self-

governinggoverning

•Local elites created a educated Local elites created a educated middle class. middle class.

2255

TechnologyTechnology

•Road emerge in both empires. Road emerge in both empires. • Military movement, commerce, and the Military movement, commerce, and the

spread of the ruling empire’s culture were spread of the ruling empire’s culture were easily accomplished due to the road easily accomplished due to the road systems.systems.•pax romana pax romana

•Cities and towns were modeled after Cities and towns were modeled after the capital cities.the capital cities.

•Majority of the population resides in the Majority of the population resides in the countryside and the population in the countryside and the population in the urban cities enjoyed lavish lifestyles.urban cities enjoyed lavish lifestyles.

2266

Defending the EmpireDefending the Empire•Long boarders that were located far from the Long boarders that were located far from the

administrative center posed a threat to both administrative center posed a threat to both empires.empires.

•Aggressive “barbaric” neighbors were a Aggressive “barbaric” neighbors were a constant problem.constant problem.• The cost of defending these boarders was a The cost of defending these boarders was a

drain on the economy.drain on the economy.• Higher taxes to pay for the military led to Higher taxes to pay for the military led to

less loyal citizens.less loyal citizens.• Local landowners provide protection, taking Local landowners provide protection, taking

power away from the Imperial center. This power away from the Imperial center. This causes a slow deterioration of control. causes a slow deterioration of control.

• The invasions occurred more frequently, The invasions occurred more frequently, weakening the empires even more.weakening the empires even more.

2277

•Roman democracyRoman democracy• Although not a true democracy, wealthy male citizens Although not a true democracy, wealthy male citizens

had a position in governmenthad a position in government

•Roman women had influence in the home over Roman women had influence in the home over their husbands and sonstheir husbands and sons

•Emergence of ChristianityEmergence of Christianity• Caused turmoil…Christians could not worship Caused turmoil…Christians could not worship

emperor as deity therefore disloyal. emperor as deity therefore disloyal.

• Imperial China will unite again vs. Rome never Imperial China will unite again vs. Rome never who never regains unity.who never regains unity.• Confucian beliefs provided a bond between the Confucian beliefs provided a bond between the

individual and the state.individual and the state.• Familial structures served as a political structure and Familial structures served as a political structure and

obedience was key to both!obedience was key to both!

•Roman democracyRoman democracy• Although not a true democracy, wealthy male citizens Although not a true democracy, wealthy male citizens

had a position in governmenthad a position in government

•Roman women had influence in the home over Roman women had influence in the home over their husbands and sonstheir husbands and sons

•Emergence of ChristianityEmergence of Christianity• Caused turmoil…Christians could not worship Caused turmoil…Christians could not worship

emperor as deity therefore disloyal. emperor as deity therefore disloyal.

• Imperial China will unite again vs. Rome never Imperial China will unite again vs. Rome never who never regains unity.who never regains unity.• Confucian beliefs provided a bond between the Confucian beliefs provided a bond between the

individual and the state.individual and the state.• Familial structures served as a political structure and Familial structures served as a political structure and

obedience was key to both!obedience was key to both!

Major DifferenceMajor DifferenceMajor DifferenceMajor Difference