I
Description-
When former areas that had competing political entities were unified, there was a dramatic increase in the magnitude and abundance of empires
When former areas that had competing political entities were unified, there was a dramatic increase in the magnitude and abundance of empires
Evidence:
This map depicts the area controlled by the Sassanid Dynasty, being much larger than its predecessors, the Parthians and the Seleucids. This is because the Sassanid Empire had a political foundation to work from, and used the knowledge of the prior failures to propel their success as a historical unit.
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"If they be led by virtue, and uniformity be provided for them by the rules of propriety, they will have the sense of shame, and moreover will become good..." (Chapter 8 pg. 184)
In establishing early empires, leaders were very cautious on how to rule their dynasty, so they sought their advice from the indigenous cultural and religious landscape. In this primary document, Confucius explains that using ethics to unify the region will cause for the better being of the residents. |
![Picture](/uploads/9/8/1/6/98164674/published/georgian-wedding-1024x768.jpg?1507598448)
Vocabulary:
Centralized Government: System of government in which decisions for the state are made by a single unit of power
Hellenistic: relating to the Classical Greek Civilization
Missionary: Someone sent to fulfill a purpose in foreign lands, being religious or charity
Legal System: a set of regulations to confine behavior of a particular society
Cosmopolitan: familiar and/or interactive with several cultures and traditions
Centralized Government: System of government in which decisions for the state are made by a single unit of power
Hellenistic: relating to the Classical Greek Civilization
Missionary: Someone sent to fulfill a purpose in foreign lands, being religious or charity
Legal System: a set of regulations to confine behavior of a particular society
Cosmopolitan: familiar and/or interactive with several cultures and traditions
II
Description:
Aside from the social perspective, empires and political units began to expand their arsenal of imperial strategies based on the accomplishments and failures of former states.
Aside from the social perspective, empires and political units began to expand their arsenal of imperial strategies based on the accomplishments and failures of former states.
Evidence:
![Picture](/uploads/9/8/1/6/98164674/published/the-han-dynasty-5-728.jpg?1507599003)
This image depicts the two dynasties of Classical China: the Qin and the Han. The Qin implemented heavy centralization and took advantage of legalism, but as shown, the Han expands far beyond the capacity of the Qin, especially in the West. This is due to the Han understanding the failures of the Qin, and fusing the legalism aspect with Confucian meritocracy. The Qin fell due to a civil war upon the emperor's death, so the Han made sure to keep society under strict order.
"Doubtless, in the passion of the moment Alexander sometimes erred; it is true that he took some steps towards the pomp and arrogance of the Asiatic Kings: but I, at least, cannot feel that such errors were very heinous, if the circumstances are taken fairly into consideration" (Chapter 10 pg. 243)
This account of the Alexander's life shows that his methods in military expansion bared a similarity to that of the Asiatic Kings, and that his actions were not considered wrong by the author, Flavius Arrianus Xenophon. According to him, Alexander took his circumstances into consideration based on the success of earlier political forms.
This account of the Alexander's life shows that his methods in military expansion bared a similarity to that of the Asiatic Kings, and that his actions were not considered wrong by the author, Flavius Arrianus Xenophon. According to him, Alexander took his circumstances into consideration based on the success of earlier political forms.
![Picture](/uploads/9/8/1/6/98164674/published/confucius.jpg?1507600348)
Vocabulary:
Direct Democracy: form of government where citizen rule and vote directly, without the need of a representative
Fortification: a defensive reinforcement built to fend off attacks and invasions
Imperial: relating to an empire
Infrastructure: the basic physical and organization structures needed to operate a society
Confucius: famous Chinese philosopher who taught personal and social morality
Direct Democracy: form of government where citizen rule and vote directly, without the need of a representative
Fortification: a defensive reinforcement built to fend off attacks and invasions
Imperial: relating to an empire
Infrastructure: the basic physical and organization structures needed to operate a society
Confucius: famous Chinese philosopher who taught personal and social morality
III
Description:
Within Afro-Eurasia and the Americas, societies and economies started to develop their own identities by creating unique features that distinguished themselves from other regions
Within Afro-Eurasia and the Americas, societies and economies started to develop their own identities by creating unique features that distinguished themselves from other regions
Evidence:
![Picture](/uploads/9/8/1/6/98164674/published/acropolis-athens-greek-city-states.jpg?1507601686)
This image depicts one of the polis' of Ancient Greece, now modernly known as Acropolis. The concept of a polis is something that emerged newly in this era, as capital cities were built as monuments of power to the state. These cities were where political rulers operated, and make large decisions about communal affairs.
"Having regard to your own duty, you ought not to falter, for there is nothing better for a Kshatriya than a righteous battle. Happy those Kshatriyas who can find such a battle - an open door to heaven!" (Chapter 9 pg. 227)
This excerpt from the Bhagavad Gita explains how Lord Krishna outlines Arjuna's duties as a Kshatriya to fulfill his responsibility by taking part in the battle between good and evil. This is explained by the role of a Kshatriya, a senior role within the Hindu caste system. This notion of a castle system is a social dimension that emerged, that will last along with India's development, for several hundred years.
This excerpt from the Bhagavad Gita explains how Lord Krishna outlines Arjuna's duties as a Kshatriya to fulfill his responsibility by taking part in the battle between good and evil. This is explained by the role of a Kshatriya, a senior role within the Hindu caste system. This notion of a castle system is a social dimension that emerged, that will last along with India's development, for several hundred years.
![Picture](/uploads/9/8/1/6/98164674/parthenon_orig.jpg)
Vocabulary:
Filial Piety: a love and affection for one's ancestors, under jurisdiction of Confucianism
Vaisya: the third level of the caste system, merchants and commoners
Ashoka: Mauryan emperor who converted and influenced the spread of Buddhism
Parthenon: famous temple dedicated to Greek goddess Athena in Acropolis
Corvee System: compulsory labor in which subjects worked in lieu of paying taxes
Filial Piety: a love and affection for one's ancestors, under jurisdiction of Confucianism
Vaisya: the third level of the caste system, merchants and commoners
Ashoka: Mauryan emperor who converted and influenced the spread of Buddhism
Parthenon: famous temple dedicated to Greek goddess Athena in Acropolis
Corvee System: compulsory labor in which subjects worked in lieu of paying taxes
IV
Description:
The Classical Empires and Societies of Eurasia came to their decline to their inability to rapidly adapt to and overcome political, cultural, and administrative difficulties
The Classical Empires and Societies of Eurasia came to their decline to their inability to rapidly adapt to and overcome political, cultural, and administrative difficulties
Evidence:
![Picture](/uploads/9/8/1/6/98164674/published/hun-invasion.jpg?1507603121)
A common link between the decline of several empires in this period are the Huns. The Huns are a nomadic group from Central Asia who eventually invaded the Gupta Empire and the Roman Empire. Several states were not able to sustain the longevity of the nomadic attacks, and as a result, succumbed to their incessant retaliation. This strong repetition was driven by the lack of resources in Central Asia, leading the Huns to be dependent on an exterior land, analogous to a drained individual in need of water.
"[Augustus] seduced the army with bonuses, and his cheap food policy was successful bait for civilians. Indeed, he attracted everybody's goodwill by the enjoyable gift of peace. Then he gradually pushed ahead and absorbed the functions of the senate, the officials, and even the law" (Chapter 11 pg.271)
This annal by a Roman aristocrat recorded the rather darker side of Emperor Augustus. A political difficulty that came across the Roman Empire, was political corruption. Augustus used his power to mislead his citizens and as a result, these struggles enveloped into the disruption in governmental structure. Eventually, power was unintentionally decentralized, provinces became independently sovereign, and therefore dissolved the empire.
This annal by a Roman aristocrat recorded the rather darker side of Emperor Augustus. A political difficulty that came across the Roman Empire, was political corruption. Augustus used his power to mislead his citizens and as a result, these struggles enveloped into the disruption in governmental structure. Eventually, power was unintentionally decentralized, provinces became independently sovereign, and therefore dissolved the empire.
![Picture](/uploads/9/8/1/6/98164674/published/qanat.jpg?1507605047)
Vocabulary:
Mandate of Heaven: Chinese belief that the heavens decided who was apt to rule the land
Bureaucracy: system of government where decisions are made by state officials rather than elected representatives
Silk Roads: network of trade routes from East Asia to the Mediterranean resulting in great cultural interaction
Qanat: type of underground canal that proved to be very effective in dry, arid lands
Polis: Greek city state that used agricultural benefit to fuel urbanization
Mandate of Heaven: Chinese belief that the heavens decided who was apt to rule the land
Bureaucracy: system of government where decisions are made by state officials rather than elected representatives
Silk Roads: network of trade routes from East Asia to the Mediterranean resulting in great cultural interaction
Qanat: type of underground canal that proved to be very effective in dry, arid lands
Polis: Greek city state that used agricultural benefit to fuel urbanization