Classical Era: Expanding Networks of Exchange and Encounter (1200 BCE – 500 CE)
Directions: Answer the following questions as you read the “Big Era Four” PowerPoint. Take
your time in reading and answering and be thorough in your responses. This assignment is
meant to give you the background for topics we cover in class!
**2 Key Developments in this Era: Population Growth and Expanding Networks of Exchange**
POPULATION GROWTH:
1. What were 4 causes of global population growth in the Classical Era (1200 BCE – 500 CE)?
a.
b.
c.
d.
2. Identify 4 consequences of this population growth.
a.
b.
c.
d.
3. What were 4 important cities in the Classical Era and for what reasons was each one important?
a.
b.
c.
d.
EXPANDING NETWORKS:
1.
What are “networks of exchange”?
2. Identify and explain 4 ways by which people were better connected and experienced exchanges
with one another in the Classical Era:
a.
b.
c.
d.
3. List 3 overland trade routes of Afroeurasia (“Afroeurasia” is the landmass composed of Africa,
Europe, and Asia)?
a.
b.
c.
4. How did Afroeurasian land empires such as the Roman Empire and Han China make use of
overland trade routes?
5. Explain the significance of the Great Silk Road.
6.
Identify 3 large land empires of Eurasia during the Classical Era:
a.
7.
b.
c.
Which civilization developed the first alphabet?
8. How did that civilization spread their alphabet to other societies?
9. Where had alphabet systems spread to by the end of the Classical Era?
10. Identify 4 religions that diffused (spread) to other civilizations in this era.
a.
b.
c.
d.
11. **Think critically about this question in order to answer it!**
What types of people were probably responsible for cultural diffusion of these religions?
12. What other things usually accompanied the diffusion of religion through networks of exchange?
13. **Using an online resource or your textbook, complete the following mapping assignment:**
I.
II.
Label and shade in the following empires:
A. Roman Empire
B. Gupta Indian Empire
C. Han China
Trace and label the route of the Great Silk Road.