Empire Autopsy
BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 5.4 ACTIVITYEMPIRE AUTOPSYUnless otherwise noted, this work is licensed under CC BY 4.0. Credit: “Empire Autopsy”, OER Project, https://www.oerproject.com/1PurposeBy investigating and explaining what caused an empire to collapse, you will have a better understanding of the elements that make empires so strong in the first place. Process 1.Working in small groups, divide the materials below so each person is responsible for one. Each item should be chosen by at least one member of your group. Circle your selection.•“Han Dynasty China” article•Persians and Greeks video•“The Roman Empire” article2.Fill in the table on the next page for your chosen material.
BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 5.4 ACTIVITY EMPIRE AUTOPSY2Categories“Han China” Persians and Greeks“Rome" Geography and the environmentImportant rulersMilitaryTradeCultural achievementsStructure of societyDecline and transformation
BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 5.4 ACTIVITY EMPIRE AUTOPSY33.Pick a historical figure that represents your empire. Then, use a large piece of paper or your computer to draw an outline of that person. Use this key to label the figure:•Head of your figure = important rulers (historical figures)•Spine = government, administration, or military•Heart = the empire’s cultural achievements•Arms = the structure of society•Legs = trade 4.Now, complete the table below to help you write a quick autopsy of why your empire collapsed (or died). After you complete the table, pair with another group to share your autopsies.Date of deathLocation of deathCauses of death (which body part or parts failed and led to the empire’s fall)
BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 5.4 ACTIVITY EMPIRE AUTOPSY45.What was one similarity between how your empire and the other group’s empire fell?Example: The ________ empire and the _______ empire were similar in that they both fell because of ______.6.What was one difference between how your empire and the other group’s empire fell? Example: The ________ empire and the _______ empire were different because ______.