First Age of Empires,

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QUIT
First Age of Empires, 1570 B.C.200 B.C.
Chapter Overview
Time Line
The Empires of Egypt and Nubia Collide
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SECTION
Assyria Dominates the Fertile Crescent
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SECTION
Persia Unites Many Lands
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SECTION
GRAPH
An Empire Unifies China
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SECTION
Visual Summary
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First Age of Empires, 1570 B.C.200 B.C.
A series of empires, each one bigger than the
last, forges regional unity among the old
heartlands of civilization from the Nile to the
Iranian Plateau. Meanwhile, the Chinese Empire
emerges as a cultural and political unit.
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First Age of Empires, 1570 B.C.200 B.C.
Time Line
206 B.C. The Qin Dynasty of China collapses.
Civil War follows.
1544 B.C. Egypts New Kingdom established.
751 B.C. Nubian kingdom of Kush conquers Egypt.
1570 B.C.
200 B.C.
850 B.C. Assyrian Empire begins its rise to power.
550 B.C. Persian Empire flourishes under Cyrus.
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The Empires of Egypt and Nubia Collide
Key Idea
The New Kingdom forges a brilliant Egyptian
Empire, which is eventually conquered and ruled
by the Nubians of Kush. The Kushites later
establish an Egyptian-style kingdom of their own
farther south.
Overview
Assessment
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The Empires of Egypt and Nubia Collide
Overview
Hyksos New Kingdom Hatshepsut Thutmose
III Nubia Ramses II Kush Piankhi Meroë
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
Two empires along the Nile, Egypt and Nubia,
forged commercial, cultural, and political
connections.
Neighboring civilizations participate in cultural
exchange as well as conflict.
Assessment
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The Empires of Egypt and Nubia Collide
1. Look at the graphic to help organize your
thoughts. List important events in the history of
Egypt and Kush.
1285 B.C. Battle of Kadesh
1200 B.C. People of the Sea attack Egypt.
950-730 B.C. Libyans rule Egypt.
1472 B.C. Hatshepsut makes herself pharaoh.
1290-1224 B.C. Ramses II rules.
1100 B.C. Kush regains independence.
671 B.C. Kushites lose Egypt to Assyrians.
continued . . .
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The Empires of Egypt and Nubia Collide
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Section
Assessment
2. Read the temple inscription written by
Piankhi. Explain how an Egyptian might have
written the inscription differently. THINK ABOUT
what bias Piankhi had
how Egyptians benefited from Piankhis
invasion
why Egyptians might have disagreed with Piankhi
ANSWER
An Egyptian might have praised the Kushites for
restoring the Egyptian way of life or criticized
them for ruling in place of Egyptians.
Possible Response
continued . . .
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The Empires of Egypt and Nubia Collide
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Section
Assessment
3. How did Egypt and Nubia strengthen each other
at various times in their histories? THINK ABOUT
the role of trade and the movement of goods
the impact of military movements
the influence of cultural developments
ANSWER

• Under Thutmose III, Egyptians brought gold,
  cattle, ivory, and slaves from Nubia.
• Under Egyptian control, Nubian princes adopted
  much of Egyptian culture.
• When Nubians seized power over Egypt, they tried
  to restore the Egyptian way of life.

Possible Responses
End of Section 1
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Assyria Dominates the Fertile Crescent
Key Idea
The Assyrians absorb Egypt into a Mesopotamian
Empire and perfect terror as a means of rule. The
Chaldeans and Medes finally annihilate Assyria,
only to be swallowed up by the growing Persian
Empire.
Overview
Assessment
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Assyria Dominates the Fertile Crescent
Overview
Assyria Sennacherib Nineveh
Ashurbanipal Medes Chaldeans Nebuchadnezzar
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
Assyria developed a military machine, conquered
an empire, and established imperial
administration.
Some leaders still use military force to extend
their rule, stamp out opposition, and gain wealth
and power.
Assessment
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Assyria Dominates the Fertile Crescent
1. Look at the graphic to help organize your
thoughts. Identify the causes of the rise and of
the decline of Assyrian power.
Need to defend against attacks
Hatred by conquered people
Use of iron-working technology
Overextension
Success at advanced planning
Unity among Assyrias foes
continued . . .
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Assyria Dominates the Fertile Crescent
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Section
Assessment
2. The Assyrians relied almost exclusively on
military power in building, maintaining, and
ruling their empire. Explain whether you think
this was a good strategy. THINK ABOUT
the causes of Assyrian military power
the stability of the empire
the methods that empires use to become
stronger
ANSWER
Empires often rely on military power. Assyrians
relied on a technological advantage that other
countries could soon copy and that their brutal
methods made them unpopular rulers.
Possible Response
End of Section 2
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Persia Unites Many Lands
GRAPH
Key Idea
Persian kings forge a multicultural empire
stretching from the Indus River to the Nile.
Persia pioneers enlighten tolerance in government
and support the Zoroastrian religion.
Overview
Assessment
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Persia Unites Many Lands
GRAPH
Overview
Cyrus Cambyses Darius satrap Royal Road
Zoroaster
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
The Persian Empire ruled with tolerance and wise
government.
Tolerance and wise government are characteristics
of the most successful methods of rule.
Assessment
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Persia Unites Many Lands
GRAPH
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Section
Assessment
1. Look at the graphic to help organize your
thoughts. Explain the similarities and
differences between Cyrus and Darius.
Both
Both ruled fairly and expanded the empire.
Cyrus founded the Persian Empire and allowed the
Jews to return to Jerusalem.
Darius seized power and introduced coins of
standard value.
continued . . .
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Persia Unites Many Lands
GRAPH
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Section
Assessment
2. Why do you think Persians and other peoples
were able to turn their thoughts to religion?
THINK ABOUT
past history of peoples in the Fertile
Crescent
living conditions in the Persian Empire
role of leaders in the Persian Empire
ANSWER
The tolerance displayed by Cyrus and other
Persian rulers probably encouraged people to
practice their religious beliefs.
Possible Response
continued . . .
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Persia Unites Many Lands
GRAPH
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Section
Assessment
3. How did Dariuss methods of administration
give stability to his empire? THINK ABOUT
the structure of the empire
policy of tolerance
the role of the satrap
ANSWER

• He divided the empire into 20 provinces.
• He appointed a satrap for each province.
• He tolerated other religions, languages, and
  local laws.
• Road system and coinage also helped give
  stability to the empire.

Possible Responses
End of Section 3
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An Empire Unifies China
Key Idea
Amid the social chaos of the crumbling Zhou
Dynasty, Chinese philosophers develop three major
schools of thought. Shi Huangdi unifies China in
a brutal military campaign and builds the Great
Wall.
Overview
Assessment
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An Empire Unifies China
Overview
Confucius filial piety bureaucracy
Daoism Legalism I Ching yin and yang Qin
dynasty Shi Huangdi autocracy
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
The social disorder of the warring states
contributed to Chinese philosophy and
unification.
The people, events, and ideas that shaped Chinas
early history continue to influence Chinas role
in todays world.
Assessment
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An Empire Unifies China
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Section
Assessment
1. Look at the graphic to help organize your
thoughts. Explain how the chaos of the warring
states affected Chinese philosophy, politics, and
the growth of cities.
Confucius, the Legalists, and Laozi offered
solutions to the chaos.
Shi Huangdi took harsh steps to impose unity and
stability.
People moved to them for protection.
continued . . .
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An Empire Unifies China
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Section
Assessment
2. In 1776, the American Declaration of
Independence declared that all men are created
equal. How would followers of the three
philosophical traditions in China react to that
statement? THINK ABOUT
their views on equality
views on opposition to government
ANSWER

• Confucius would reject the statement because he
  tried to restore an unequal social order.
• Legalists might have objected for justifying
  opposition to government.
• Laozi might have agreed, believing that
  governments tend to enforce inequality.

Possible Responses
continued . . .
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An Empire Unifies China
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Section
Assessment
3. Compare and contrast the monumental projects
of the Persian Royal Road and the Great Wall of
China. Explain their purposes, how they changed
the environment, and how they affected the
peoples living there.
ANSWER
Royal Roadbuilt to improve communication and
transportation, connected peoples and regions
Great Wallbuilt to prevent attacks by nomads,
helped define borders, helped unify people,
established barrier where no natural barrier had
been
Possible Responses
End of Section 4