China PERSIAN Chart for Classical Civilizations Key
ERA: 600 B.C.E. –
600 C.E.
POLITICAL
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Leaders/groups
Forms of government
Empires
State building/expansion
Political structures
Courts/laws
Nationalism/nations
Revolts/revolutions
China 600 BCE - 600 CE
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(Qin)
Started China’s tradition of
centralized rule
Single law code
Qin (‘Dynasty) Shih Huangdi
(First Emperor); brutal ruler
(legalism philosophy) who
restored order to China following
the decline of the Zhou
Qin unified China under a
centralized state after the Era of
Warring States
Ordered nobles to appear at his
court and took control of their
feudal states – unifying China
Qin created a centralized
bureaucracy and divided land into
administrative provinces
Expanded south to present-day
Hong-Kong on the South China
Sea and northern Vietnam
Burning of books common (threat
to autocratic rule)
Unpopular policies such as attacks
on intellectuals, high taxes, and
construction of the Great Wall led
to the downfall of the Qin as
peasant revolts broke out
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ECONOMIC
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Agricultural, pastoral
Economic systems
Labor systems/ organizations
Industrialization
Technology/industry
Capital/money
Business organizations
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Uniform tax system
Used forced labor, conscripted or
drafted by the government from
among the peasantry called corvee
National census (provided data for
collections of tax revenues and
labor services)
Standardized coinage and weights
and measures through the entire
realm to facilitate trade
Promoted the manufacturing of
silk cloth
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(Han)
Retained central government of
Qin but made it less brutal (less
repression)
Improved and expanded the
bureaucracy
Revised and emphasized formal
training liked to the values of the
Confucian philosophy
Established examinations (civil
service exams) for bureaucrats;
classics of Chinese literature and
law = model for the future Chinese
scholar-bureaucrat
Expanded in China, pushing into
Korea, North Vietnam, and Central
Asia
Han ruler, Wu Di, enforced peace
through much of Asia as Rome
would later do so in its territories,
which brought prosperity to China
Increase in military strength for
protection and trade
Factors for decline of the Han:
decrease in the quality of rule,
control of the central government,
and invasions from Central Asia,
led by the Xioungnu
Local government had authority
and attended more to criminal and
legal disputes
Peasant rebellions
Directly organized the production
of bronze
Tried to regulate agricultural
supplies by storing grain and rice
in good times to control price
increases and potential unrest
when harvests were bad
Used corvee labor to build canals,
roads, and palaces
Trade focused on luxury goods for
the wealthy (silks, leather goods,
furniture, jewelry)
Silk Road and Indian Ocean trade
flourished
China PERSIAN Chart for Classical Civilizations Key
RELIGIOUS
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Belief systems/ teachings
Philosophy
Holy books
Conversion
Key figures
Deities
Practiced the philosophy of
Legalism
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SOCIAL
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Family/ kinship
Gender roles/relations
Social and economic classes
Racial/ ethnic factors
Entertainment
Lifestyles
“Haves” & “have nots”
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Burnt Confucian books and buried
scholars alive
Patriarchal society
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INTERACTIONS
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War/conflict
Diplomacy/treaties
Alliances
Exchanges between individuals,
groups, & empires/nations
Trade/commerce
Globalization
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Built the Great Wall of China to
protect against invaders
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Promoted Confucian philosophy as
an official statement of Chinese
values
Government developed a durable
sense of mission as the primary
keeper of Chinese beliefs.
Daoism and the reverence for
nature became a central value of
Han people
Buddhism became widely popular
during the fall of the Han Empire
Created a large, highly-skilled
bureaucracy – scholar-bureaucrats
(scholar-gentry)
Men of exceptional talent and
ability trained in schools of merit
for civil service exams –
traditionally from the upperclasses (who had time to study) but
occasionally allowed individuals
from lower ranks of society
Landowning aristocracy/ educated
bureaucrats (Mandarins) 
Laboring masses (peasants, urban
artisans)  “Mean” people
(included performing artists)
Merchant class was not a focal
point; a life dedicated to making
money was scorned by society
Emphasized the role and
importance of family unity – filial
piety
Patriarchal society
Emphasis on Confucian
relationships
Women were clearly defined
subordinate roles; could sometimes
gain power through their sons
Silk Road trade flourished from
Chang’an to the Roman Empire –
It connected the Han Empire to
Central Asia, India, and the Roman
Empire
Tributary system of trade was
established – Han demanded
tributes from neighboring groups.
Han often sent gifts to nomadic
groups to prevent possible invasion
China PERSIAN Chart for Classical Civilizations Key
ARTS
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Art / Music
Writing/ Literature
Philosophy
Math / Science
Education
Architecture
Technology/ Innovations
Transportation
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Great Wall of China
Road planning
Uniform writing system (Chinese
script) = single basic language
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ENVIRONMENTAL
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Location
Physical
Human/environment
Migration/movement
Region
Demography
Neighborhood
Settlement patterns
Disease
Urbanization/ cities (2 major)
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Sponsored public works such as
new irrigation projects and canal
systems for agriculture
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Schools and universities based on
merit; priority on education in
upper classes
Invented a kind of seismography
to register earthquakes
Collar invented for draft animals
(horses and oxen), allowing them
to pull wagons and plows without
choking
Pulleys and winding gear were
used in mining, which brought
materials to the surface
1st water powered mills
Invention of paper allowed from
more written works
Iron tools
Better production methods in
textiles and pottery
Sternpost rudder and compass
aided sea travel
Expansion as the empire grew;
contraction as the empire was
attacked by the nomadic invaders
and by peasant revolts
Chang’an – capitol city flourished
from trade.
Guangzhou – port city for Indian
Ocean trade (silk Roads Sea Lane)
China PERSIAN Chart for Classical Civilizations Key
ERA: 600 B.C.E. –
600 C.E.
POLITICAL
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Leaders/groups
Forms of government
Empires
State building/expansion
Political structures
Courts/laws
Nationalism/nations
Revolts/revolutions
India
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ECONOMIC
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Agricultural, pastoral
Economic systems
Labor systems/ organizations
Industrialization
Technology/industry
Capital/money
Business organizations
Ashoka encouraged agricultural
development through irrigation
and encouraged trade by building
roads, wells, and inns
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RELIGIOUS
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Belief systems/ teachings
Philosophy
Holy books
Conversion
Key figures
Deities
(Mauryans)
Regionalism – led by autocratic
kings and emperors –
Decentralized
Chandragupta founder of Mauryan
Empire – centralized control of the
regional kingdoms
Maurya set up a centralized
bureaucratic administrative system
Ashoka – converted to Buddhism
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Buddhism
Saddartha Gautama - Buddha –
“Enlightened One” (seen as
divine)
Holy life could be achieved
through individual effort from any
level of society.
Goal to reach Nirvana through
meditation
Encouraged missionaries
Reincarnation
Dharma and Karma
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SOCIAL
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Family/ kinship
Gender roles/relations
Social and economic classes
Racial/ ethnic factors
Entertainment
Lifestyles
“Haves” & “have nots”
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Caste System - promoted public
order, some flexibilities, avoided
slavery
Brahmins, Warriors, 300 jati (sub
castes), untouchables (out-castes)
Castes assigned people to
occupation and marriage
Patriarchal
Pattern – as agriculture increases,
the role of women decreases
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(Guptas)
Regionalism – led by autocratic
kings and emperors
Chandra Gupta established Gupta
Empire and set up centralized
government
Gupta left local government and
administration in power, instead of
establishing a bureaucracy
Fall: invasions of the White Huns
weakened the empire and South
Asia returned to regional rule
Based on Agriculture
Taxation system
Textiles – first to manufacture
cotton cloth, calico, and cashmere
Artisans formed guilds and sold
goods from shops
Hinduism favored under Guptas
because of Gods - divine right to
rule
Major system of belief in India
today
Included woman goddesses
No Single Founder
No Central Holy Figure
Encouraged political and
economic goals
Brahma forms everything in the
world
Brahman priests and mystics
(gurus)
Reincarnation
Worldly suffering ends when
united with Brahma after many
goods lives
Ceremonies and meditation/yoga
Dharma and Karma
Caste System - promoted public
order, some flexibilities, avoided
slavery
Brahmins, Warriors, 300 jati (sub
castes), untouchables (out-castes)
Castes assigned people to
occupation and marriage
Patriarchal
Merchants enjoyed high caste
status
China PERSIAN Chart for Classical Civilizations Key
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Women forbidden from reading
the sacred prayers (the Vedas)
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Women forbidden from reading
the sacred prayers (the Vedas)
INTERACTIONS
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Indian numbering system used
today, called Arabic because
Europeans imported it from Arabs
Merchants and Missionaries were
a linkage among cultures
Buddhism spread to East Asia and
Southeast Asia
Scientists borrowed from Greeks
Merchants traded by sea to Middle
East, East Asia, and Southeast
Asia
Exported - cotton, silks, and dyes
Imported – Pottery, wine, metals,
slaves, and gold
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Indian numbering system used
today, called Arabic because
Europeans imported it from Arabs
Merchants and Missionaries were
a linkage among cultures
Buddhism spread to East Asia and
Southeast Asia
Scientists borrowed from Greeks
Merchants traded by sea to Middle
East, East Asia, and Southeast
Asia
Exported - cotton, silks, and dyes
Imported – Pottery, wine, metals,
slaves, and gold
Art stressed symbolism rather than
accurate representation
Algebra and geometry
Calculated the circumference of
the Earth and the value of Pi
Concept of zero, decimal system,
and the number system we use
today called Arabic numbers were
developed
Aryabatta – calculated length of
the solar year and improved
mathematical measurements
Identified seven planets and
developed theory for gravity
Inoculation for smallpox and
sterilization in hospitals
Sanskrit - language of the educated
Panchatantra – tells tales of
adventure (Sinbad)
Monasteries and Stupas built for
Buddhism
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Public services – extensive road
network
Shrines to Buddha - Stupas
Pataliputra – capital city
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War/conflict
Diplomacy/treaties
Alliances
Exchanges between individuals,
groups, & empires/nations
Trade/commerce
Globalization
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ARTS
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Art / Music
Writing/ Literature
Philosophy
Math / Science
Education
Architecture
Technology/ Innovations
Transportation
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ENVIRONMENTAL
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Location
Physical
Human/environment
Migration/movement
Region
Demography
Neighborhood
Settlement patterns
Disease
Urbanization/ cities (2 major)
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Art stressed symbolism rather than
accurate representation
Algebra and geometry
Calculated the circumference of
the Earth and the value of Pi
Concept of zero, decimal system,
and the number system we use
today called Arabic numbers were
developed
Aryabatta – calculated length of
the solar year and improved
mathematical measurements
Identified seven planets and
developed theory for gravity
Inoculation for smallpox and
sterilization in hospitals
Sanskrit - language of the educated
Panchatantra – tells tales of
adventure (Sinbad)
Public services – extensive road
network
Pataliputra – capital city
China PERSIAN Chart for Classical Civilizations Key
ERA: 600 B.C.E. –
600 C.E.
POLITICAL
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Leaders/groups
Forms of government
Empires
State building/expansion
Political structures
Courts/laws
Nationalism/nations
Revolts/revolutions
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ECONOMIC
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Agricultural, pastoral
Economic systems
Labor systems/ organizations
Industrialization
Technology/industry
Capital/money
Business organizations
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RELIGIOUS
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Belief systems/ teachings
Philosophy
Holy books
Conversion
Key figures
Deities
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SOCIAL
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Family/ kinship
Gender roles/relations
Social and economic classes
Racial/ ethnic factors
Entertainment
Lifestyles
“Haves” & “have nots”
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Persia
Centered in present-day Iran
Cyrus the Great conquered local tribes and created empire that stretched
from Indus River to Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) – Achamenid
empire
Emperor Darius (Achaemendi Empire) is known for his administrative
skills – laid foundation for administration in Southwest Asia
Empire divided into satrapies (regions) governed by a satrap from the
central government that maintained peace and collected taxes
Local leaders drawn from local people – were allowed to practice their
own religion, speak their own language, and follow their own laws
Massive army drawn from all regions
Parthian Empire and Sassanid Empire followed the Achaemenid Empire
– adopted many characteristics of Achaemenid administration
Royal Roads system built to expand trade with Asia – eventually
developed into road system of succeeding empires (Romans / Hans)
Standardized coins (borrowed from the Lydians) and monetary system
helped increase trade
Standardized weights & measures
Formal taxes replaced system of tribute from war
Most commercial activity requires seafaring abilities to trade with
Palestine, Egypt, and Carthage exchanging wine and olive products for
grain
Qanat system developed – underground irrigation system for agriculture
Agriculture
New cities stimulated trade
Long distance trade was extremely important to the economy
Active trading with people east and west
Introduced the cultivation of rice, sugarcane, citrus fruits, eggplant, and
cotton to Iran
Zarathustra developed the monotheistic religion called Zoroastrianism.
The “one” god was Ahura Mazda. There was the idea of future reward
& punishment (heaven & hell).
Idea of “one” god influenced Jewish religion (and eventually
Christianity & Islam).
Persians tolerant of religions of conquered peoples. Allowed the
captures Jews of Babylon to return to their homeland thereby ending the
“Babylonian Captivity”. Later Persian rulers were not as tolerant as
Cyrus.
Cyrus the Great was kind to conquered peoples and allowed them the
keep their traditions. Remarkable freedom for “conquered” people.
China PERSIAN Chart for Classical Civilizations Key
INTERACTIONS
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War/conflict
Diplomacy/treaties
Alliances
Exchanges between individuals,
groups, & empires/nations
Trade/commerce
Globalization
ARTS
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Art / Music
Writing/ Literature
Philosophy
Math / Science
Education
Architecture
Technology/ Innovations
Transportation
ENVIRONMENTAL
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Location
Physical
Human/environment
Migration/movement
Region
Demography
Neighborhood
Settlement patterns
Disease
Urbanization/ cities (2 major)
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Conflicts with Greece – Persian Wars – Persia was defeated by the
Greeks at the Battle of Salamis
Persia conquered by Alexander the Great. The Great Persian Empire
was replaced by the Hellenistic Empire of Alexander
Disputes and continuous wars with the Roman Empire
Participated in Silk Road and Indian Ocean trade
Rode mountain ponies and shot short arrows from short bows used on
the steppes of Russia.
Palace at Persepolis and the tomb of Cyrus the Great still stand
Learned Roman engineering skills to aid with road construction and the
building of dams
Empire extended from Egypt and Greece throughout Middle East into
India.
Persepolis was capital / Babylon was a major trade center