Lap 4 Study Guide: Rome and Asia - UNDERSTANDING

Cause/ effect: how did Rome expand beyond Italy and what was gained?

Rome expanded beyond Italy through military conquests, like the Punic Wars. Vast resources like minerals from Spain and Egypt’s grain, tax revenue, and enslaved people fueled Rome’s economy and infrastructure. 

Contrast Athenian democracy and the Roman Republic 

Athenian democracy was a direct democracy where citizens debated and voted on laws, while the Roman Republic was a representative democracy where citizens elected officials to make decisions for them. 

Cause/ effect: relate being named dictator for life and Caesar’s assassination - 

Caesar’s appointment as dictator for life was the direct cause of his assassination, as it fueled fears among senators that he was a tyrant. Fearing the complete loss of senatorial power, a group of senators conspired to kill Caesar to “preserve” the Republic, leading to his assassination.

Cause/ effect: why was Jesus a problem for both Hebrew and Roman officials - 

Hebrew - says he is a false Messiah (law enforcement scared they didn’t stop him in time)

Rome - worried he’ll create a political problem (establish a kingdom on earth?)

Relate the Edict of Milan and the Council of Nicaea/ Nicene Creed -

Emperor Constantine, seeking unity within the growing church and empire, convened the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD to address these issues and formally establish orthodox Christian doctrine, culminating in the creation of the Nicene Creed.

Cause: how did 4 problems (internal/ external) each lead to the fall of Rome -

Pol - lose control + faith in gov’t

• due to corruption, poor leadership, + assassinations

Military - Lose military strength

• foreign troops, expensive, + frequent wars

Econ - Decline of ag. and trade

• more imports than exports

• rising inflation, taxes, and unemployment

Soc - increased poverty

• 95% below poverty line - without land or job

Contrast actions of Diocletian and Constantine to restore order -

DIocletian - 284 - DIvided the Empire to restore order and restructure admin.

Constantine - 330 - Reunited the empire and moved the capital to Byzantium

Cause/ effect: how did the collapse of Roman power impact the Empire - 

Decline of Roman Civ.

• End of a strong, central gov’t

small warring kingdoms develop 

Econ, social, and cultural decline 

• Byzantium preserved Roman civ. 

Contrast the activities of Chandragupta and Ashoka with earlier civilizations -

Chandragupta/Ashoka - powerful army = Assyria 

• harsh policies 

• laws posted on pillars = Hammurabi

• religious tolerance = Persia  

• prosperity = stability

Contrast several actions/ policies of Liu Bang and Wu Di to unify China -

Liu Bang - Overthrew the Qin/founded the dynasty

(Assimilation and scholars writing down the history of China)

Wu Di - Civil service tests based on Confucian ideals, expanded territory, iron weapons

Cause/ effect: how did paper impact education and the Chinese gov’t -

Increased education and gov’t records

Cause/ effect: what economic problems lead to the decline of the Han (vs Rome)

Palace chaos from peasant revolts because of the uneven distribution of wealth and the debt of small farmers