Untitled Flashcards Set

Study Guide - Classical Empires Unit

Qin and Han Dynasty China; Maurya, Kushan, and Gupta Empire India; Persian Empire

• Geography

  • Mountains and rivers in each empire

  • Geographical extent/borders of each empire

  • How does geography impact the success of each empire?

  • Map analysis - absolute and relative location, etc. 

• Religions and schools of thought: Daoism, Confucianism, Legalism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism

  • Founders and location of origin (and potential spread of such)

  • Core beliefs, ideas, and texts

  • Implementation of such (Asoka’s construction of stone pillars, Qin Shihuang’s construction of the Great Wall of China, etc.)

• Government

  • Government structure - more centralized or decentralized

  • Religion/school of thought used or spread 

  • Specific laws or rules made

  • Treatment of peoples - slaves, other religions, etc.

  • Use of the military

• Economy

  • Trade routes - maritime and overland trade routes

    • Silk Road, Persian Royal Road

    • Impact of trade on empires

  • Goods produced and traded

• Architecture and art

  • Important buildings and significance of buildings and art

    • Great Wall of China, stone pillars, Terra Cotta Warriors, Second Holy Temple, etc.

• Social structure

  • Use of forced labor and slavery in each empire and their purpose

  • Role and accomplishments of the leader

• Demise

  • Impact of nomadic warriors

  • Impact of internal rebellions and wars

  • Impact of the public’s anger regarding multiple ideas - harsh labor, inequality, high taxes, etc.

• Similarities and differences between all three empires and the empires/dynasties within China and India

• Connections to the past

  • Five Themes of Geography

  • Impact of Neolithic Revolution

  • Connections to SPEARS from River Valley Civilizations

    • Caste System, irrigation canals, beliefs about rivers, etc.