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

Topic 3: The First Age of Empires

Part 1: How did Big Empires Develop?

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?

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Population Growth

Expanding Networks of Exchange

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• 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.

Population Growth (background – no need to write)

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What caused the surge in population?

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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.

What Caused a Surge in populations?p. 1 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.

What Caused a Surge in populations?P 2 of 2

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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.

What were the Consequences of growth?

Brahmin

Kshatriya

Vaishya

Sudra

Untouchable

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.

What were the Consequences of growth?

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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.

Expanding Networks

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Expanding Networks: Routes

On the map are some of the goods traded along the Afroeurasian networks.

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Large Empires of Afroeurasia500 BCE - 500 CE

Rome

Kush

HanMaurya/ Gupta

Byzantium

Persians

Axum

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2800 BCE 1900 BCE 500 BCE 1 CE 500 CE

Hinduism

Judaism

Buddhism

ChristianityReligions that Spread During Big Era Four

?

1200 BCE

Buddhism

Hinduism

Christianity

Judaism

Expanding Networks: Religions

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Growth of World Religions

In the Age of EmpiresHinduismFrom lstmillennium BCE

BuddhismFrom 5th centuryBCE

ChristianityFrom 1st centuryCE

JudaismCommunitiesscattered widely inSouthwest Asia, Northern Africa, andEurope, especially from the first centuryCE.

Outline Map: Microsoft Encarta Reference Library 2002

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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.)

Expanding Networks: Religions

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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

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

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).

Part 2: Egypt Becomes an

Empire

Topic 3, Part 2: The Egyptian Empire

Lecture NotesI. An Egyptian Empire –

The New Kingdom A. 1600 BC Queen

Ahhotep retakes control of Egypt

A. Egypt at its height B. Most wealthyC. Most powerful

B. Hatshepsut (1472BC) rules

1. A great ruler2. Trades to bring in great

wealth

Read a little more about Hatshepsut

►In your packet


Lecture Notes Cont’dII. Two more powerful

rulers A. Thutmose III

1. Builds on Hatshepsut’s power

2. Very warlike3. Invades Palestine,

Syria and Nubia

B. Ramses II1. Leads Egypt to peace

with the Hittites2. Hittites were great

iron workers

Great Building Projects of the New Kingdom:


Lecture Notes Cont’d

III. End of the Empire A. 1200 BC – Attacks

from “Sea Peoples”

B. Also invaded by Kushites/Nubians from South

C. Nubians1. Traded goods from

interior of Africa w/ Egyptians

2. At times, Nubians such as Piankhi ruled Egypt as pharaoh

Nubian Pyramids

Topic 3: First EmpiresPart 3: Empires of the Near

East

Topic 3, Part 3: Empires of the Near East

Lecture NotesI. The Hittite Empire (2,000 BC-1200 BC)

A. Indo European herders who migrated from central Eurasia

B. New Technologies:1. Horse-drawn chariots2. Composite Bows.3. Heavy armor4. Developed iron working and charcoal technology


Lecture NotesII. Assyrians

A. Warlike people from N. Mesopotamia

B. Great weapons and military organization

C. Used ironworking technology

D. Killed or enslaved their captives


Lecture NotesIII. The Assyrian Empire

A. Conquered Syria, Palestine, Babylonia and parts of Egypt

B. Assyrians chose the rulers of their conquered enemies

C. Cultural Contributions 1. Built the first library2. Collected ancient

works3. Hanging Gardens of

NebuchadnezzarD. Eventually conquered

by Persians


Lecture Notes1.How was the Persian

Empire founded? 550 BCE – Cyrus III

conquers Median kingdom, uniting Medes and Persians – founds Achaemenid Dynasty

Also united Babylon2. 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

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)?

A. Created by Zorathustra/ZoroasterB. Taught that life was a struggle between the spirit of

good (Ahura Mazda) and forces of evilC. Still practiced by some in IranD. Holy book: Avesta

Charter of Human RightsCyrus, Persia

TED Talk: http://www.ted.com/talks/neil_macgregor_2600_years_of_history_in_one_object.html

http://www.ted.com/talks/neil_macgregor_2600_years_of_history_in_one_object.html

http://www.ted.com/talks/neil_macgregor_2600_years_of_history_in_one_object.html

Topic 3: First EmpiresPart 4: New Ideas in India

Topic 3, Part 4: New Ideas in IndiaLecture Notes

I. The Aryan Invasion A. Aryan arrive in 1500 BC B. Indo-European invaders

1. Like Persians!2. Came through Hindu-

Kush and Khyber Pass

C. 400 BC – development of writing system called Sanskrit

D. Vedas – a holy book that tells us about the Aryans

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


II. The Caste SystemA. Aryans develop a rigid, closed social

hierarchy based on occupationB. Could not move up or downC. HereditaryD. Impacted

1. Marriage2. Dress3. Residence

Untouchables/Pariahs

Unskilled workers

Skilled workers

Warriors

Priests and Rulers


III. Caste Rules A. High caste individuals

had strictest rules to protect “spiritual purity.”

B. Pariahs/Untouchables

1. those who were at the lowest caste

2. Had to do “impure jobs” – manual labor!

C. Ensured a stable social order

1. Caste gave people sense of identity and interdependence

2. Each caste had special role


IV. Hinduism Begins A. Aryans mix with native people B. Ideas blend to create a new religion:

Hinduism1. Has no single founder2. Sacred Texts: Vedas, and Upanishads3. Grew out of overlapping beliefs4. Very complex – many gods

“God is one, but wise people know it by many names.”

-Ancient Proverb

1) What does this quotation mean to you?

2) What can we say about Hinduism based on this quotation?


V. The Brahman A. Brahman=All

powerful spiritual forces

B. Brahman take the form of a variety of gods

1. Brahma, the Creator

2. Vishnu, the Preserver

3. Shiva, the Destroyer


VI. The Hindu Goal of Life A. Everyman has a soul (atman)B. Ultimate goal: to achieve moksha - union

of self with brahmanC. Two steps:

1. Obeying the law of karma - actions in life impact fate in the next life

2. Dharma: religious and moral duties

D. Reincarnation An endless cycle of death and rebirth until achievement of moksha


VIII. Religious Change: Siddhartha Guatama

A. Born 466 B.C. in high-caste family

B. Lived his life in ease until he saw people suffering

C. Decide to find a “more perfect world”

D. Meditated and fasted for 48 days until he became “the Buddha, the Enlightened One”


IX. The Four Noble Truths A. After meditating, Buddha realized…

1. Life = suffering2. Suffering caused by desire 3. Suffering only cured by overcoming desire4. Overcoming desire can only be achieved by

following the Eightfold Path which will lead to “nirvana” (spiritual enlightenment)

B. The Buddha’s message was written down in a holy book called the Tripitaka

C. Goal was to reach “Nirvana” or “Enlightenment”

The 8 Fold Path

1. Right views2. Right

aspirations3. Right speech4. Right conduct5. Right livelihood6. Right effort7. Right

mindfulness8. Right

contemplation

►Goal was to reach “Nirvana” or “Enlightenment”

►Buddhist holy book: Tripitaka

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.”

Double Bubble Map

►In your packet complete the DOUBLE BUBBLE MAP comparing and contrasting Hinduism and Buddhism

Hinduism and Buddhism Compared/ Contrasted (this can be

your summary)

Hinduism

Caste System

No Founder

Vedas and Upanishads (holy books)

Ancient Religion

Goal: Moksha

Both

India

Belief in Enlightenment

Reincarnation

Non-violence

Buddhism

No caste system

Founder – Sid G

- Tripitaka (holy books)

- New Religion

- Goal: Nirvana

Topic 3: First EmpiresPart 5: Indian Imperial

Politics

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?

Topic 3, Part 5: Empires in IndiaLecture Notes

I. The Mauryan Empire A. Chandragupta begins spreading control in

Ganges BasinB. Conquers north India and into Deccan

PlateauC. Built a bureaucracyD. Used effective but harsh rule

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:ChandraguptaStamp.jpg


II. The Rule of Asoka A. Asoka,

Chandragupta’s grandson and the most honored emperor

B. At first, used war to conquer

C. Later, converted to Buddhism—rejected violence.1. Sent missionaries

to spread Buddhism to China

2. Tolerant of other religions

D. Public works united Empire

E. Created stone pillars proclaiming edicts


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?


III. The Gupta’s Reunify India

A. After Asoka, India is disunified

B. Gupta reunify from 320 AD to 550 AD

C. Allowed individual villages and cities to elect leaders--trade and farming flourish



IV. Gupta Advancements in Learning A. Peace and prosperityB. Flourishing trade and farmingC. Building of temples and stupas (large dome

shaped shrines)D. Buddhist temples became centers of learning

1. Creation of a decimal system2. Use of zero3. Used numerals 4. Advances in surgery (setting bones) 5. A round earth


► 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

Part 6: Chinese Philosophy and Imperial Rule

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?

Belief SystemsReligions v. Philosophies

►Philosophy: Greek for “Love of wisdom” or “friend of knowledge” – a search for wisdom and knowledge

►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

Belief Systems in China►Chinese philosophies developed as

ways to answer two important questions:

Am I good or

evil?

Why I am the ruler?How should I rule?

The Vinegar TastersConfucio

us

The

Buddha

Lao Tzu

(Laozi)

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

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

Journal EntryChoose 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.

1) The inferior man is disrespectful to great men; he makes fun of wisdom.

2) Happiness does not come from having much, but from being attached to little.

3) The best way to run the world is to leave it alone.

4) The ruler alone possesses power, wielding it like lighting or like thunder.

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”

New Dynasty• Peace.

• Builds roads, bridges, etc.

• Gives land to peasants

• Provides for defense

Old Dynasty• High taxes

• Corruption

• Can’t protect people

• Roads fall apart

• Unfair treatment of people

Problems• Natural disasters

• Riots and Revolts

• Invasion

Old Dynasty loses Mandate of Heaven

Years Go By

New becomes old

New Dynasty claims Mandate of Heaven

The

Dynastic Cycle

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

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.)

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