Ancient Empires

1. Ancient Empires

2. Mesopotamia Empires (2.4) • Main Ideas: • The Hittites and Egyptians were eventually overshadowed by the rise of the Assyrian and Persian Empires. • The Persian Empire brought many years of peace to Southwest Asia, increasing trade and the general well being of its people.

3. Assyrian Empire • The Assyrians were a Semitic-speaking people who exploited the use of iron weapons to establish an empire by 700 BC • Within less than 100 years internal strife and resentment of Assyrian rule began to tear the Assyrian Empire apart. • The empire fell to a coalition of Chaldeans and Medes and was divided between those two powers.

4. Key Points • The Assyrian Empire was ruled by kings whose power was seen as absolute. • Well organized empire. • Created a well established postal service throughout the empire. • The system was so effective that a governor anywhere in the empire could send a questions and receive an answer from the king within a week. • Very militaristic…very organized, disciplined, and were good at conquering others. • The Assyrians used terror in warfare • Used iron weapons • They had a force of infantrymen at the core of the military, joined by cavalrymen and horse-drawn war chariots that were used as platforms for shooting arrows.

5. Persian Empire • The Persians were an Indo-European people who lived in what is today southwestern Iran. • The Persians were organized by groups until one family managed to unify them. • One of the family’s members, Cyrus, created a powerful Persian state that stretched from Asia Minor to western India.

6. Key Rulers • Cyrus “the Great” • Ruled from 559 to 530 B.C. • He demonstrated much wisdom and compassion in the conquest and organization of his empire. • Respected other civilizations • Darius • Expanded the Persian Empire into India • He divided up the empire into 20 provinces and each province was ruled by a governor, or satrap. • They collected taxes, provided justice and security, and recruited soldiers for the royal army.

7. Key Points • Created a Royal Road that connected the empire. • By the time of Darius, the Persian kings, had created a standing army of professional soliders. This army was composed of people from all over the empire. At its core was a cavalry force of ten thousand and an elite infantry force of ten thousand. These groups were called the Immortals because of the huge numbers. • The empire fell because of greed over the throne and wealth. Also weakened by the conquests of Alexander the Great.

9. India Empires (3.2) • Main Ideas: • The Mauyran dynasty flourished under Asoka. • Asoka was a kind ruler • Trade prospered under him • Used Buddhist ideals to guide his rule • Empire will decline after his death • The Kushan kingdom prospered. • The Silk Road passed though the Kushan kingdom • The Gupta Empire left a lasting legacy through literature, architecture, and science.

10. Key Religions Mentioned Thus Far • Judaism…first monotheistic religion • Emerged in Southwest Asia • Hinduism…came to India by the Aryans • Caste System • Karma, Dharma • Reincarnation • Yoga • Polytheistic • Vedas • Buddhism…was developed in Northern India by Siddhartha Gautama. • Four Noble Truths • Eight-Fold Path • Nirvana • Philosophies • Confucianism • Legalism • Daoism

11. Key Point!!!! • The religions and philosophies within each region helped shape the regions culture, art, and politics.