Persian Empire: History and Achievements
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Persian Empire: History and Achievements

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Questions and Answers

Which ancient emperor is known for leading with compassion and tolerance?

  • Emperor of China during the Shang Dynasty
  • Darius the Great
  • Cyrus the Great (correct)
  • Alexander the Great
  • What did Darius the Great establish to facilitate trade within the Persian Empire?

  • Trans-Saharan Trade Route
  • Silk Road
  • Royal Road (correct)
  • Great Wall of China
  • Which ancient civilization is not mentioned as one of the three important sites of early human civilization in the ancient world?

  • China's Yellow River Valley (correct)
  • India’s Indus Valley
  • Egypt’s Nile Valley
  • Mesopotamia
  • What religion was practiced by the people of the Persian Empire under the Emperor's rule?

    <p>Zoroastrianism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What important aspect characterized the Shang Dynasty in ancient China?

    <p>Use of horse-drawn chariots</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which emperor expanded Persia to its height by allowing people to keep their government and religion?

    <p>Darius the Great</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During which dynasty did Confucius live?

    <p>Han Dynasty</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which dynasty saw the first Ming emperor establish an authoritarian political culture?

    <p>Ming Dynasty</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which period in Chinese history was characterized by a fragmented empire, with the North dominated by invaders and the South ruled by 'Chinese' dynasties?

    <p>Period of Disunity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which dynasty is known for creating a unitary state through centralized administration and standardization of writing script, weights, and measures?

    <p>Qin Dynasty</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which dynasty was defined by intricate blue and white pottery and the finishing of the Great Wall?

    <p>Ming Dynasty</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which dynasty moved the capital to present-day Beijing?

    <p>Yuan Dynasty</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which dynasty saw a time of cosmopolitanism and cultural flowering as well as the height of Buddhist influence in China?

    <p>Tang Dynasty</p> Signup and view all the answers

    'Records of the Historian' became the model for subsequent official histories during which dynasty?

    <p>'Sui Dynasty'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    'The Great Leap Forward' and 'The Cultural Revolution' were disasters that occurred during which political period in China's history?

    <p>'People's Republic of China'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Persian Empire (550 BCE-334 BCE)

    • Located in Western Asia, bordering Greece and Libya to the west, and West India to the east
    • United under one government, three important sites of early human civilization: Mesopotamia, Egypt's Nile Valley, and India's Indus Valley
    • Emperors: Cyrus the Great, known for leadership with compassion and tolerance, and Darius the Great, who expanded the empire to its height
    • Darius the Great allowed people to keep their government and religion, built the Royal Road, created a standardized currency (Darics), and established set values by weights and measurements
    • Culture: renowned for art in many forms, including metalwork, rock carvings, weaving, and architecture
    • Language: the Persian language helped decode Cuneiform
    • Capital city: Persepolis, known for its great architecture and relief store carvings
    • Military: the Immortals, a 10,000-strong force
    • Religion: Zoroastrianism, a monotheistic religion, with people free to practice their own religion

    Chinese Empires

    Shang Dynasty (1600-1050 BCE)

    • Marked the beginning of Chinese civilization
    • Characterized by its writing system, practice of divination, walled cities, bronze technology, and use of horse-drawn chariots

    Zhou (Chou) Dynasty (1046-256 BCE)

    • Hierarchical political and social system with the Zhou royal house at its apex
    • Power was bestowed upon aristocratic families as lords of their domains or principalities
    • Eventual breakdown into the Spring and Autumn period (ca. 770-475 BCE) and the Warring States period (ca. 475-221 BCE)
    • Confucius (551-479 BCE) lived during this period

    Qin (Ch'in) Dynasty (221-206 BCE)

    • Created a unitary state with a centralized administration and standardized writing script, weights, and measures
    • Known for harsh methods of rule, including the suppression of dissenting thought

    Han Dynasty (206-220 BCE)

    • Modified and consolidated the foundation of the imperial order
    • Confucianism was established as orthodoxy, and open civil service examinations were introduced
    • Han power reached Korea and Vietnam
    • Records of the Historian, a model for subsequent official histories, was completed

    Period of Disunity (220-589 CE)

    • The empire was fragmented, with the North dominated by invaders and the South ruled by successive "Chinese" dynasties
    • Buddhism spread during this period

    Sui Dynasty (581-618 CE)

    • China was reunified under Sui rule

    Tang Dynasty (618-906 CE)

    • A time of cosmopolitanism and cultural flowering, with the height of Buddhist influence in China
    • Active territorial expansion until defeat by the Arabs at Talas in 751
    • Foot binding began during this dynasty

    Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE)

    • Era of significant economic and social changes, including monetization of the economy and growth in commerce and maritime trade
    • Urban expansion and technological innovations
    • Examination system for bureaucratic recruitment of neo-Confucianism

    Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368 CE)

    • Founded by the Mongols as part of their conquest of much of the world
    • Capital moved to Dadu (present-day Beijing)
    • Dramas, such as the famous Story of the Western Wing, flourished

    Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 CE)

    • The first Ming emperor, Hongwu, laid the basis of an authoritarian political culture
    • Gradual burgeoning of the commercial sector, important changes in the economy and social relations
    • Vibrant literary scene, with publication of the novel Journey to the West
    • Defined by intricate blue and white pottery and the finishing of the Great Wall

    Qing Dynasty (1644-1912 CE)

    • A Manchu dynasty
    • Continued economic developments, leading to prosperity but also complacency and a dramatic increase in population
    • Strains on the polity were intensified by a rapid incorporation of substantial new territories
    • Authoritarian structure was subsequently unable to meet the military and cultural challenge of an expansive West

    Republic Period (1912-1942 CE)

    • Weak central government following the collapse of the dynastic system
    • Western influence was shown by the promotion of "science" and "democracy" during the New Culture Movement
    • Attempt of the Nationalist government to bring the entire country under its control was thwarted

    People's Republic of China (1949 CE-Today)

    • Communist government
    • Drive for remaking society ended in disasters such as the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution
    • Economic reform and political retrenchment since around 1978

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    Explore the history and achievements of the Persian Empire from 550 BCE to 334 BCE. Learn about key emperors such as Cyrus the Great and Darius the Great, their leadership styles, and contributions like the Royal Road.

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