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Comparing Ancient Empires

Driving Question: Why did some states grow into empires?

What makes an empire successful? Why do empires decline and fall? By examining and comparing different empires over time, we can begin to see the characteristics shared by successful empires and those that led an empire to decline.

  1. Analyze characteristics of empires to identify what made them successful.
  2. Use causation skills to decide which factors will lead to the decline or fall of an empire.
  3. Utilize quick-sourcing skills to evaluate how governments maintained power and how different societies interacted with each other through networks of exchange.
STEP 2

Jigsaw the articles included with this activity to identify the qualities that made empires successful while also determining the weaknesses that led to these empires’ downfall.