Chapter 4

The Age of Empires

Egypt

& Nubia

Middle Kingdom (2000 BCE 1600 BCE)

Lost power due to invaders (Hyksos)
Hebrews migrated to Egypt, later enslaved
New Kingdom (1600 BCE 1000 BCE)
Overthrew Hyksos and entered greatest period
Queen Hatshepsut expanded trade
Thutmose (her stepson) more warlike and
expanded south into Nubia
Ramses II period of peace, building

Egypt and Nubia cont.

Egypt gradually declines and Kushites
(from Nubia) conquer Nile region
During this time Nubia heavily influenced
by Egyptian law, religion, military, art
Cultural diffusion

India (Chapter 7 Sec.1)

321 Chandragupta founds Mauryan Empire
Large army, high taxes
Son Asoka takes over & brought Mauryan Empire to
great heights
Promotes Buddhism, religious tolerance, roads, trade
Upon death (232BCE) empire and unity falls apart
United again under the Gupta Empire (Chandra Gupta
different guy)
Expanded empire through conquest; achievements in
arts, literature, science

Assyrians
Northern Mesopotamia highly advanced military;
disciplined warriors
Metal & leather armor; iron weapons; ladders,
tunnels
Huge empire Mesopotamia, Egypt
No mercy to defeated; killed, banished
Great builders; library
Conquered by Chaldeans; rebuilt civilization in
Babylon; King Nebuchadnezzar
Fell to the Persians!

Persians

Strong military but tolerance and diplomacy (Iran)

Great region of trade
Cyrus the Great rather than destruction, honored
local customs, religions, etc.
Darius followed expanded empire
Divided into provinces; governor (satrap) ruled
Royal Road through empire; excellent communication
Zoroastrianism religion; one god, battle for good;
judged by good deeds; declined after Islam
developed

China
Zhou dynasty had lasted about 800 years!
Social order, harmony, respect for authority;
had begun to decline
Confucius wanted to restore order
5 basic relationships (ruler/subject, father/son,
husband/wife, older brother/younger brother,
friend/friend)
Filial piety respect of parents
Kindness and loyalty

China cont.
Laozi (Lao Tzu) believed in harmony, natural order;
humans failed to follow this
Daoism (Taoism) followers of Laozi
Tao The Way

Qin dynasty autocracy (unlimited power)

Qin = Chin = China
Qin Shi Huangdi first Chinese emperor
Legalism - highly efficient and powerful govt. is key to social
order (facts, structure)
Great Wall linked several to keep out invaders; many died
in process

Chin Dynasty (Shi Huangdi)

Legalism
Standardized Chinese writing, currency, weights and
measures
Multiplication table
Expanded empire, massive fortifications (Great Wall
beginning)
Trade, irrigation, roads, social advances but harsh rule
Cruel banished or killed enemies
Burned books that didnt agree with his ideas
Probably died of mercury poisoning while trying to find the
elixir of life