Name: _______________________________
1
WHAP 4.2: The First Age of Empires
MAT
Classical Empires: A Comparison
Directions: Complete the chart below using the information found in your readings. Take careful note of HOW to complete the chart (look at the boxes
that have been completed for cues). When you’ve finished, answer the questions for Part II in complete sentences, using information both from the
readings and from the responses you supplied on the chart.
Part I: Graphic Organizer- The Classical Empires
[Development &
Interaction of]
Political Structure
[state-building, expansion, &
conquest
Persian Empire
(550 - 330 BCE)
Maurya Empire
(c. 322 - 185 BCE)
Economy
Social Structure
Culture
empire
Cyrus the Great
Darius I
satraps (govs)
Persian Wars (v. Greece)
“theater-state”
capital: Persepolis
agriculture
trade
hierarchy
patriarchy
Religion(s): Zoroastrianism (magi =
1.
2.
3.
4.
5. capital: Pataliputra
1.
2.
1.
2.
Religion(s):
priests), polytheism, Judaism
Arts: Architecture, literature, Avesta
(holy book of Z)
Tech.: Royal Road, canal (Red Sea to
Nile R), quanats
1.
2.
[Interaction of] Humans
& the Environment
irrigation
Royal Road
stone architecture
1.
2.
3.
Arts:
1.
2.
3.
Tech.:
Han China
(c. 206 BCE - 220 CE)
1.
2.
3.
4. capital:
1. Silk Road
2. silk monopoly
3.
4.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Religion(s): ancestor worship,
Taoism, Confucianism
Arts:
1.
2.
3.
Tech.:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
1.
2.
3.
WHAP 4.2: The First Age of Empires
MAT 2
Political Structure
[state-building, expansion, &
conquest
Roman Empire
(c. 31 BCE - 476 CE)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8. capitals:
Economy
1.
2.
[Development &
Interaction of]
Social Structure
1.
a.
2.
a.
Culture
Religion(s):
1. Judaism, Christianity (in Near East)
2.
[Interaction of] Humans
& the Environment
1.
2.
3.
Arts:
1. architecture (Colosseum);
2.
3.
4.
Tech.:
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
4. capital: Pataliputra
Gupta Empire
(320 - 550 CE)
Continued from
Maurya Empire
Continued from
Maurya Empire
Religion(s):
continued from Maurya Empire
Continued from Maurya
Empire
Arts:
continued from Maurya Empire
Tech.:
Aryabhata: math & astronomy
concept of zero
function of spinal cord
Part II: Patterns
1. What are the similarities you see among these empires? Why might those similarities exist?
2. What are two major differences you see among these empires? Why might those differences exist?
3. How did the rulers of these ancient empires try to maintain control (political/social/cultural)? In your opinion, were these methods
WHAP 4.2: The First Age of Empires
MAT 3
successful? Why or why not?
4. (Based on the readings:) What caused the decline of these empires? Are there similarities in the reason(s) they declined? If so, why might
these similarities exist?