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Empires and Belief Systems

Driving Question: How was the emergence of portable belief systems connected to empires in this period?

The rise of extensive regional empires and portable belief systems reshaped life around the world. With the emergence of portable belief systems, beliefs and religions could travel beyond one geographic place. New empires arose across Afro-Eurasia, linking societies and spreading belief systems from the Mediterranean to China.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Understand how portable belief systems and empires were connected during this period.
  2. Evaluate the continuities and changes that took place as portable belief systems spread and impacted communities and networks.

Vocab Terms:

  • empire
  • persecute
  • philosophy
  • portable
STEP 1

Opener: Empires and Belief Systems

Teaching Tools

To teach this lesson step, refer to page 2 of the Lesson 4.1 Teaching Guide Locked .

Ancient empires built monumental symbols of the religions they embraced. In this quick activity, you’ll match the symbols to the societies that built them as you consider the connections that link religion and empire.

STEP 2

Looking Ahead

Teaching Tools

To teach this lesson step, refer to page 3 of the Lesson 4.1 Teaching Guide Locked .

Get an idea of how other teachers use Unit Notebooks by checking out DQ Notebook – Best Practices Share External link in the Community Forum.

STEP 3

Empires and Beliefs

Teaching Tools

To teach this lesson step, refer to page 3 of the Lesson 4.1 Teaching Guide Locked .

The OER Project Video Guide provides great information on best practices for using video in the classroom.

Check out our Reading Guide to learn about the Three-Step Reading approach.

Throughout this unit, you’ll see empires grow and belief systems rise. This video and article will help you find the connections linking the two.

Empires and Belief Systems (600 BCE to 700 CE): Unit 4 Overview External link

How did empires maintain control over vast territories filled with diverse people? Part of the answer to that question has to do with the rise of universal and portable belief systems.

Key Ideas

As this video progresses, key ideas will be introduced to invoke discussion.
STEP 4

Closer: Empires and Belief Systems

Teaching Tools

To teach this lesson step, refer to page 6 of the Lesson 4.1 Teaching Guide Locked .

Remember that closers are a great opportunity to informally assess student understanding. Read more about that in the OER Project Assessment Guide.

Ancient empires often used religious strategies to gain and maintain power. In this quick activity, you will read a brief excerpt from one emperor and think about his religious strategy.

Extension Materials
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Use this post-writing activity to evaluate analysis and evidence in an essay—either your own or a student sample.
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Essay Review: Analysis and Evidence

Teaching Tools

To teach this lesson step, refer to page 6 of the Lesson 4.1 Teaching Guide Locked .

A great way to improve your own writing skills is to evaluate writing samples. In this activity, you’ll use your own writing or a sample essay to evaluate the use of analysis and evidence.