Early Empires: Assyrians, Persians, Zhou Dynasty, Phoenicians

As the second millennium BCE began so did trade, warfare, and kingdom building. The world witnessed the growth of states developing under common laws and customs rather than solely based on geography. Initially, climate change brought droughts to once fertile populace centers forcing herdsman to travel in search of food and land. These nomadic invasions would ultimately bring cultures closer through their interactions in trade and conquest. Technological advances of the time, like the wheeled chariot, would aid in the movement of peoples and goods around Northeast Africa and Asia. Societies once separated would now find themselves linked culturally and economically.

During this period of political expansion the Assyrian Empire in Mesopotamia and the Persian Empire in Iran developed as superpowers. Their political organization allowed them to expand beyond their “ethnic” boundaries absorbing areas and populations well beyond their geographic nucleus. Within these larger territories were more resources and humans to be exploited for the benefit of the empire. The Zhou Dynasty was experiencing a similar expansion in China. Although the leaders were able to integrate larger areas of land, they were faced with strong local lords which hindered the overall strength of the centralized government.

As each empire developed, their political, social, and economic structures evolved to best address their needs. The lasting political, cultural, and religious contributions of these larger political entities are numerous. From the Phoenicians an alphabet originated. Monotheism developed in the Middle East. The idea of a revolving universal time, reincarnation, developed in Vedic Asia. And the Zhou provided a social order.

Respond: Based on your reading of Worlds Together, Worlds Apart; the Interactive Timeline  and the Crash Course video on Chinese history:

Discuss the governing styles of the early empires (Persians, Assyrians, Zhou, etc). Specifically identify the similarities that existed to create these larger, successful empires. Which empire do you find to have been most successful and why?

Provide specific examples as evidence of similarities
Identify the civilization you find to be most successful
Provide examples as evidence of success
Explain how the examples demonstrate success
Hint: what counts as success, including who determines it, should be part of the discussion

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