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

Eurasian Empires 500 B.C.E.-500 C.E. • Chapter 4 Lecture • A.P. World History • Ways of the World 1

Today’s Objective... • Today we will summarize the rise and fall of the the first major empires using lecture. 2

Most Empires Follow this Cycle: A series of rulers will continue its growth and the empire will reach its peak The founder of the an empire brings unity Then greed and self-importance will cloud the judgment of the ruler causing the empire’s decline.

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

Environment and Economy • Persia is mostly dry therefore innovations in irrigation arose and there was never a dense population • Irrigation system: underground irrigation system was labor intensive • Agriculture was not abundant causing the economy to rely heavily on the minerals and crafted goods. • Copper, tin, iron, gold, and silver 5

Medes • Was profoundly influenced by Mesopotamia and Uratru (New Armenia and Turkey) • Was crucial in destroying the Assyrian Empire (late 17th century) • Went south to Persian Gulf which was occupied by Persians

Cyrus, Founder of Persian Empire • Overthrew the Median Monarch and was first to unite the Persian people. • Key to success: He would respect the conquered people and placed the Medes into power positions along with fellow Persians and kept the framework of Median rule. 7

Persian Societal Structure: • Patriarchal structure at home: father head of household • Absolute authority • Society was hierarchical: • Warriors: included the King and aristocrats; dominate in society • Priests (Magi): Needed for Rituals • Peasants: everybody else. Village based (farmers and shepherds) 8

Cambyses: (Kam Bie Sees): • Cyrus’ son, like father respected conquered peoples’ traditions and cultures which assisted in expanding the empire even further.

Daruis I, 2nd founder of the Persian Empire: • Reduced the power of the Medes giving more control to the Persians • Brought the empire to the Greek doorstep. • Introduced new political structure: • Satrap (hereditary provincial governors) were used to control the growing empire • The satraps lived in the areas that they were governing creating a local connection with natives. • Movement from the empire’s center out to the peripherals caused cultural and technological exchanges. • Produced a great road system 10

Darius, the Lawgiver • Created a central body of law • Persian territories were still allowed to live under their own laws. • Used art to express his vision of a vast empire where all people willingly cooperated.

Xerxes (Ahasuerus): Downfall of Persian dominance • Breakdown in the tribute system caused economic decline around the fourth century B.C.E. 12

Greece: • Trade and cultural interaction will show to their strength. • Imported raw materials and ideas • Exported language and culture

Reliance on the Sea: • The Phoenicians had a great navy which the Greeks borrowed from encouraging sea exploration and trade. • Increase in trade led to increase in food which led to the increase in population • This caused the set up of colonies 14

Phoenician Influence • The alphabetic writing system borrowed from the Phoenicians was crucial for the cultural success of the Greeks. • It allowed for widespread literacy which paved the way for the great Greek philosophers.

Emergence of the Polis (city state) • Increased population density led to city states to materialize and therefore the need for security • Hoplites: fierce, quick and effective warfare.

Persian Wars: • Delian League formed to protect themselves against the Persians. • Greeks victorious and Athenians come forward as the dominate state.

Peloponnesian Wars: • Athenians vs. Spartans • Persian support allows the Spartans to fight the Athenian by sea.

Philip II: • While war was causing havoc in Greece, Macedonia became powerful and dominant.

Alexander the Great: • Successfully defeated Darius III from Persia. • Alexander is a great conqueror bring forth the Hellenistic Age • This spread the Greek language and culture even further. 20

The Two Empires Compared: Roman and Han • The Family • Similarities: • Both the Roman and Han familial structures are patriarchal. • Chinese family included all generations, including the deceased. • Strong loyalties and obligations bound family together. • Values such as obedience, respect of superiors, duty and honor are all important. 21

Agriculture • Both empires considered it the foundation of economy and sources of wealth. • Both empires experienced political and social turmoil over who controlled the land and how it was to be used. • Rulers from both empires used this to their advantage by taking land from powerful aristocrats and distributing it to the small farmer. • Human labor was an additional resources that was beneficial to the Chinese. • When land began being owned by the few, we see the start of the decline in both empires . 22

Empire Building • Both empires spread through military conquest which combined diverse cultures and traditions. • Key to Roman success was granting citizenship to conquered people. Why would this help? • There is still a cultural unity in these areas even after the fall of the empires. • Ex. The Romantic Languages • Romanization of the Mediterranean • Higher agricultural yields led to population increases. • As the resources were depleted within the center of the empires, settlers moved to the outer parts. This caused the spread of the Roman and Han cultures. 23

Empire Building continued… • The conquered people easily accepted the cultures of the ruling nation and adopted the traditions. • The central governments gave autonomy to local governments. • Autonomy: the state of being self-governing • Local elites created a educated middle class. 24

Technology • Road emerge in both empires. • Military movement, commerce, and the spread of the ruling empire’s culture were easily accomplished due to the road systems. • pax romana • Cities and towns were modeled after the capital cities. • Majority of the population resides in the countryside and the population in the urban cities enjoyed lavish lifestyles. 25

Defending the Empire • Long boarders that were located far from the administrative center posed a threat to both empires. • Aggressive “barbaric” neighbors were a constant problem. • The cost of defending these boarders was a drain on the economy. • Higher taxes to pay for the military led to less loyal citizens. • Local landowners provide protection, taking power away from the Imperial center. This causes a slow deterioration of control. • The invasions occurred more frequently, weakening the empires even more. 26

Major Difference • Roman democracy • Although not a true democracy, wealthy male citizens had a position in government • Roman women had influence in the home over their husbands and sons • Emergence of Christianity • Caused turmoil…Christians could not worship emperor as deity therefore disloyal. • Imperial China will unite again vs. Rome never who never regains unity. • Confucian beliefs provided a bond between the individual and the state. • Familial structures served as a political structure and obedience was key to both! 27

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