Period 2: Organization and Reorganization of Human Societies (600 Bce - 600 Ce)

From 1567 to 330 B.C. humanity experienced many subsequent development as well as decline in its civilizations. Among these events emerged three colossal empires that had shaken the world and forever changed the course of human history. The Egyptian, Assyrian, and Persian Empires have been instrumental in influencing technology, religion, and ideas throughout the world. Various factors have contributed to the success and downfall of these giants. Each of the “World Powers” have similarities as well as distinctions in its government form and organization, religion, and economy that contributed to their triumph.

The Roman Empire was one of the largest empires the world has ever seen. The power and size they managed to obtain has been a constant subject of interest for historians and all those who are interested in history. Julius Caesar’s ascension to power marked the time from where the Romans steadily expanded their territory and by the time the Roman Republic dissolved and the Roman Empire emerged, the Empire had become so big that the Romans had then to face the problem of maintaining their empire. The Roman Empire maintained its power by

As the series Game of Thrones starts a new season, illustrating a bloody scenario of Kings and Queens contesting for total control of lands and supremacy, we may be reminded that such a fiction was a reality in past history– minus the dragons and the walking dead of course. As history progresses in time, empires rise and fall. Historians look back on once strong empires and are divided, concerning if the damage they caused and slaughter they wrought was worth the advances they gave to the world. When comparing once powerful empires like the British and Roman Empire, one clearly rises above all in terms of all-out strength and domination, but the way they become powerful is similar. Governments that hold true power seem to be reflected on the most. Both the British and Roman Empire reigned with significant authority and yielded to defeat or declinism; however, the Roman Empire stands superior not only for its lengthy rule, but for its everlasting influence over others, and its expansion of citizenship.

Some empires sought to rule through local elites; other empires sought to rule with a more centralized power

Analyze similarities and differences in methods of political control in the following empires in the classical period.

There were four great multicultural Empires in our world’s history Ancient Greece, The Roman Empire, Persia and China. I am going to focus on Ancient Greece and the Persian Empire, what geographical features did each region offer to help the people build these great empires, what were some of the cultures of this empires, and what changes did they have over time? Going further into details on the Persian Empire, who were two of the leaders and what contributions did they make to Persia, what methods did they use to expand the region and gain power? How did the political system change over time?

The increase in technology made the empires run, in some cases, more, and in others, less efficient. In document 2, it describes

Throughout time empires have risen and fallen and taken various approaches in doing so. Some of these society were warlike, while others focused on intellectual discovery. Among these various societies were great empires like the Ottoman, the Mughal, the Spanish, and the Ming. All four of these great empire ruled at overlapping times but all eventually fell for different reasons. All had strengths and weakness and can be used as a learning opportunity for an empire that came after them. From the Ming and the Ottoman you can learn strength such as religious tolerance and government structure. On the other hand, the Mughal and the Spanish teach us the dangers of over taxing and over centralizing government. In order for an empire to successfully function they must have an accepting culture, a balanced economy, and manageable size.

4. Looking Back: Compared to the world of the fifteenth century, what new patterns of development are visible in the empire-building projects

Using specific examples, analyze similarities and differences in methods of conquest in 1 of your land empires to 1 of your maritime empires from 1450-1750.

The Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal societies all relied on bureaucracies that drew inspiration from the steppe traditions of Turkish and Mogol people and from the heritage of Islam, they adopted similar policies, they looked for ways to keep peace in their societies which were made up of different religious and ethnic backgrounds, and they were associated with literary and artistic talents. Military and religious factors gave rise to all three of these empires.

Lockard, Craig A. "Ancient Societies in Africa and the Mediterranean, 5000-600 B.C.E." World. Boston: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2011. 50-56. Print

With the rise of the second-wave civilizations and empires, 500 B.C.E. to 500 C.E., distinctive political, cultural, social and economical features were highlighted (Strayer 120). These empires included: the Persian Empire, the Roman Empire, the Egyptian Empire, the Chinese Empire, and the Greek Empire. Each sovereign had individual methods in order to forge unity and ensure political authority throughout his or her reign. The systems were comprised of utilizing fear, establishing laws and government, incorporating customs and religious beliefs, the right to rule, etc. Regarding the following of laws, there became a significant distinction between the use of “power” and “authority”. Power denotes the appliance of force or threats of one, such

The foundations of an ancient empire are shaped by many characteristics originating in a civilization’s social, philosophical, and theological values. Collectively these will bring about an empire that has aspects which will classify them in distinctive ways. The aspects that will be compared between Persia and Rome are the motives for expansion, methods of expansion, the administration, the impact on those conquered and the original empire, and the reasons for the decline of each empire. When combined, these aspects predispose the individual overall shape of ancient Rome and Persia. Both empires began with conquering larger rulers and creating vast empires which had never been seen

Codifications and further developments of existing religious traditions provided a bond among the people and an ethical code to live by.