Comparing Ancient Empires
Teacher Resources
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.
- Analyze characteristics of empires to identify what made them successful.
- Use causation skills to decide which factors will lead to the decline or fall of an empire.
- Utilize quick-sourcing skills to evaluate how governments maintained power and how different societies interacted with each other through networks of exchange.
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.
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Guiding Questions
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Note: For more detailed directions on completing the three close reads below, refer to the Three Close Reads – Introduction activity.
Skim
Before you read, you should quickly skim the article, by looking at the headings of each section and the charts. Read the questions below as well, so you know what to look for when you read!
Key Ideas
- How did geography and the environment shape the development of the Persian Empire and Greek Peninsula?
- What type of leader did the Persian Empire have? What were some ways the empire was governed?
- What were the major differences between the Persian and Greek political systems? Why did these two systems come into conflict?
- How were the cultures of Greece and Persia shaped by their political expansion and conflicts?
- How were these two societies organized? What were their social hierarchies like?
- What led to the decline and transformation of Persian and Greek societies?
Evaluate
- Of the ancient societies you’ve read about so far, who were the Greeks most like? What about the Persians? Are these similarities primarily geographic? Or are they political, cultural, or social?
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Guiding Questions
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Note: For more detailed directions on completing the three close reads below, refer to the Three Close Reads – Introduction activity.
Skim
Before you read, you should quickly skim the article, by looking at the headings of each section and the charts. Read the questions below as well, so you know what to look for when you read!
Key Ideas
- Looking at the map of Alexander’s Empire, what do you notice? Does it remind you of any other empires?
- What was Alexander’s biggest advantage in his conquests?
- What is the most important legacy of Alexander’s empire?
- How did Alexander’s conquest affect the ancient economy of this region?
- What does it mean that the Macedonian Empire was “Alexander’s empire?”
Evaluate
- You’ve read some definitions and characteristics of an empire. What aspects of the Macedonian Empire seems characteristic of all empires? What seems unique?
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Guiding Questions
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Note: For more detailed directions on completing the three close reads below, refer to the Three Close Reads – Introduction activity.
Skim
Before you read, you should quickly skim the article, by looking at the headings of each section and the charts. Read the questions below as well, so you know what to look for when you read!
Key Ideas
- Looking at the map of the Ptolemaic Empire, what do you notice?
- How did the Ptolemies organize the hierarchy of Egyptian society?
- How did the Ptolemies use religion to assert authority?
- How would you characterize the role of women in this blended Greek-Egyptian society (which had once been ruled by Persia)?
- Why did Rome invade Egypt?
Evaluate
- You’ve read some definitions and characteristics of empires. What aspects of the Ptolemaic empire seem characteristic of all empires? What seems unique?
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Guiding Questions
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Note: For more detailed directions on completing the three close reads below, refer to the Three Close Reads – Introduction activity.
Skim
Before you read, you should quickly skim the article, by looking at the headings of each section and the charts. Read the questions below as well, so you know what to look for when you read!
Key Ideas
- What event allowed a large, centralized empire to form on the Indian subcontinent?
- What is one of Ashoka’s most lasting legacies?
- This article provides a full quote from Ashoka’s pillars. Is this quote an attempt by Ashoka to use religion to increase his authority as ruler? Why or why not?
- Why did trade improve under the Mauryan Empire?
- What type of women had higher status in these empires? What system governed this hierarchy?
Evaluate
- You’ve read some definitions and characteristics of an empire. What aspects of the Mauryan and Gupta Empires seem characteristic of all empires? What seems unique?
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Guiding Questions
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Note: For more detailed directions on completing the three close reads below, refer to the Three Close Reads – Introduction activity.
Skim
Before you read, you should quickly skim the article, by looking at the headings of each section and the charts. Read the questions below as well, so you know what to look for when you read!
Key Ideas
- What was the Mandate of Heaven?
- Who was more powerful, the Zhou or the Qin?
- What was legalism? Who was responsible for spreading the concept?
- Why did merchants do worse under the Qin?
- How did Chinese philosophy and moral codes restrict women?
Evaluate
- You’ve read some definitions and characteristics of empires. What about the Zhou and Qin Empires seems characteristic of all empires? What seems unique?
As you read the primary source excerpts in this collection, use the accompanying Quick-Sourcing Tool to guide your analysis.
