WHAP Chapter 3: State and Empire in Eurasia / North Africa

What are empires typically characterized by?

Larger, more aggressive states that conquer others, use their resources, and often include multiple peoples and cultures under a single political system.

What was the Persian Empire known for in the mid-sixth century B.C.E.?

Being the largest and most impressive empire.

Who were the key rulers that expanded the Persian Empire?

Cyrus (r. 557-530 B.C.E.) and Darius (r. 522-486 B.C.E.).

What was the population range of the Persian Empire?

Around 35 to 50 million people.

What was a key feature of the Persian administrative system?

Respect for non-Persian cultural traditions and effective administration.

What was the role of Ahura Mazda in the Persian Empire?

The god whose will the kings ruled by.

What was a significant aspect of the Greek civilization's political life?

Popular participation in the political life of city-states.

How did the geography of Greece influence its development?

Mountains and valleys encouraged the development of hundreds of city-states and small settlements.

What was the population of classical Greece around 750 B.C.E.?

Approximately 2 million to 3 million people.

What was a major cultural feature of classical Greece?

A shared common language and common gods.

What period did classical Greece flourish?

About 400 years, starting around 750 B.C.E.

What was a notable activity of the Greeks between 750 and 500 B.C.E.?

Colonization around the Mediterranean basin and Black Sea.

What was the Persian Empire's approach to maintaining control over its territories?

An effective administrative system, standardized coinage, predictable taxes, and encouragement of communication and commerce.

What irrigation system did the Persian Empire develop?

An elaborate underground irrigation system that sustained agriculture throughout the Middle East.

What was the significance of empires in world history?

Empires have been central to world history for 4,000 years.

What is the relationship between empires and cultural exchange?

Empires stimulated the exchange of ideas, cultures, and values.

What was a common feature of empires regarding their populations?

They often included multiple peoples and cultures.

What was the most distinctive feature of political life in ancient city-states?

Popular participation in political life.

What principle ensured equality among citizens in ancient city-states?

Equality of all citizens before the law.

How did citizenship vary in ancient city-states?

The extent of citizenship varied depending on time and city.

Who supported the emergence of tyrants in ancient city-states?

The poorer classes supported tyrants against the rich.

Which council held most political authority in Sparta?

The Council of Elders.

What city-state is noted for its distinctive expression of political participation?

Athens.

What was the point of collision in the Greco-Persian Wars?

Ionia, where Greek settlements revolted against Persia.

What significant event occurred in 499 B.C.E. involving Ionian Greeks?

They revolted against Persia and were supported by Athens.

What were the years of the Persian expeditions against the Greeks?

490 and 480 B.C.E.

What was the outcome of the Persian Wars for the Greeks?

Greeks defeated the Persians on land and sea.

How did the victory in the Persian Wars affect Athenian democracy?

It radicalized democracy, granting full citizenship to poor rowers.

What cultural period followed the Persian Wars?

The fifty-year Golden Age of Greek culture.

What major conflict occurred after the Golden Age?

The Peloponnesian War (431-404 B.C.E.).

Who completed the conquest of Greece by 338 B.C.E.?

Philip II of Macedon.

What was Alexander's plan after unifying Greece?

A great Greek expedition against Persia.

What did Alexander's expedition create?

A massive Greek empire reaching from Egypt and Anatolia to Afghanistan and India.

What significant city did Alexander destroy during his conquests?

Persepolis.

What was the Hellenistic era known for?

The dissemination of Greek culture through much of Asia and Egypt.

What role did cities play in the Hellenistic era?

They facilitated the spread of Greek culture and long-distance commerce.

What was the significance of the library established during the Hellenistic era?

It contained 700,000 volumes and sponsored scholars.

What language became the language of power and elite culture during the Hellenistic era?

Greek.

What were the similarities between the Roman and Chinese empires?

Both flourished around 200 B.C.E.-200 C.E., were of similar size, and controlled nearly half the world's population.

What was the origin of Rome as an empire?

Started as a small, unimportant city-state in central Italy in the eighth century B.C.E.

What significant political change occurred in Rome around 509 B.C.E.?

The overthrow of the monarchy and establishment of a republic.

What regions did the Roman Empire conquer?

Greece, Egypt, Mesopotamia, and present-day France and Britain.

What characterized the Roman army's approach to conquest?

A gradual, unplanned pursuit of opportunities, combined with skill and brutality.

How were conquered peoples typically treated by the Romans?

They usually received generous treatment.

What societal change occurred in Rome due to empire building?

Rome became a warrior society.

How were upper-class men defined in Roman society during the empire?

As soldiers and landowners.

What was the role of women in Roman society during the empire?

Women were confined to producing warrior sons but experienced less restriction by the early centuries C.E.

What legal protections did women gain in Roman society?

Women found protection in the law regarding marriage and property rights.

What impact did slavery have on Roman society?

While some grew wealthy, the position of common citizens was undermined by the rise of slaves.

Who were some military leaders that contributed to civil war in the Roman Republic?

Marius, Sulla, Pompey, and Julius Caesar.

What significant political change occurred under Caesar Augustus?

An imperial system was established.

What does pax Romana refer to?

A period of security and relative prosperity in the Roman Empire.

What was the significance of Shihuangdi in Chinese history?

He unified China and adopted Legalism as a political philosophy.

What brutal actions were taken during Shihuangdi's rule?

Execution of scholars and book burning.

What major construction projects were undertaken during the Qin dynasty?

The Great Wall and Shihuangdi's monumental tomb.

What standardizations were implemented during the Qin dynasty?

Weights, measures, currency, written Chinese, and axle lengths for carts.

What followed the collapse of the Qin dynasty?

The Han dynasty, which maintained centralization but was less harsh.

How did both the Roman and Chinese empires define themselves?

In universal terms.

What public works investment was common to both empires?

Both empires invested heavily in public works.

How did both empires claim supernatural authority?

Roman emperors were deified, while the Chinese emperor was regarded as the Son of Heaven.

What was the relationship between the empires and the societies they governed?

Romans were a minority in their empire, while ethnic Chinese had a larger cultural heartland.

How did assimilation differ between the Roman and Chinese empires?

China actively assimilated non-Chinese people, while Roman assimilation was more gradual.

What role did language play in cultural identity in the Roman Empire?

Latin gave rise to several languages, maintaining separate identities.

How did language facilitate assimilation in China?

Chinese characters could be read by all literate people, facilitating cultural assimilation.

What was the difference in cultural fragmentation between the Roman and Chinese empires?

The Roman Empire was more culturally fragmented than the Chinese Empire.

How did the bureaucracy of the Chinese Empire compare to that of the Roman Empire?

The bureaucracy was much more elaborate in China than in the Roman Empire.

What were the traditional dates for the fall of the Han dynasty and the Western Roman Empire?

The Han dynasty ended in 220 C.E. and the Western Roman Empire fell in 476 C.E.

What common factors contributed to the collapse of the Han and Roman empires?

Excessive size, overextension, high costs, lack of technological breakthroughs, tax evasion by landowners, heavy tax burden on the poor, elite rivalry, epidemic disease, and threats from nomadic peoples.

How did the collapse of the Han dynasty differ from that of the Roman Empire?

After about 350 years of disorder, China restored an imperial state with the Sui, Tang, and Song dynasties, while Europe did not establish a large-scale imperial system after the Romans.

What factors made China more successful in restoring its empire compared to Rome?

Greater homogeneity, a stronger bureaucratic tradition, the influence of Confucianism, more productive agriculture, and advanced metallurgy.

What characterized the idea of empire in India compared to other regions?

The idea of empire was less prominent in India, marked by political fragmentation and cultural diversity.

What were the key features of the Mauryan Empire?

It was stimulated by Persian and Greek influences, ruled most of India, had a population of around 50 million, and featured a large bureaucracy and state-operated industries.

Who was Ashoka and why is he significant?

Ashoka (r. 268-232 B.C.E.) was the best-known emperor of the Mauryan Empire, recognized for his edicts promoting nonviolence and tolerance.

What led to the fragmentation of the Mauryan Empire?

The Mauryan Empire broke apart after Ashoka's death.

What were the reasons India struggled to maintain a unified empire?

States failed to command loyalty, there was great cultural diversity, frequent invasions from Central Asia, and the caste system encouraged local loyalties.

How did Indian trade flourish despite political fragmentation?

Merchants and artisans supported public buildings and festivals, while Hinduism and Buddhism spread through Asia.

What advancements did Indian civilization achieve during this period?

Indian mathematics and astronomy flourished.

What enduring legacies did second-wave empires leave behind?

They continue to serve as models and inspirations, influencing figures like Mao Zedong and Mussolini, and prompting questions about modern American identity.

What is a potential danger of misusing historical analogies?

Misusing historical analogies can be dangerous, but understanding history is vital for grasping contemporary complexities.

What environmental impacts did the Roman Empire experience?

The Roman Empire faced extensive deforestation and unprecedented levels of lead pollution.

What environmental issues did China face during its imperial period?

China experienced substantial urban air pollution and soil erosion.

What was the population of the Mauryan Empire?

Around 50 million.

What was the significance of the Ganges River in Indian civilization?

It was the site of the creation of a new civilization after the fall of the Indus Valley civilization.

What was the impact of the caste system on Indian political unity?

The caste system encouraged local loyalties, making it difficult to maintain a unified state.

What role did Confucianism play in the restoration of the Chinese empire?

Confucianism placed a strong value on political matters, contributing to the stability and restoration of the imperial state.

What was the fate of the Eastern Roman Empire after the fall of the Western Roman Empire?

The Eastern half survived as the Byzantine Empire.

What were the effects of imperial collapse on society?

Effects included no centralized government, decline of urban life, population decline, less cultivated area, reduction of international trade, and vast insecurity.

How did the rivalry between elite factions contribute to the fall of empires?

It created instability within the political structure, weakening the empire's ability to govern effectively.

What was the significance of Ashoka's edicts?

They promoted nonviolence and tolerance, influencing future generations and leaders.