1. A Global View: Empires of the Ancient World

2. What Characteristics Were Shared by Ancient Empires Around the World?
Empires in;
India
China
Europe
the Americas

3. They had many things in common;
Most were built by Military Conquest
Ruled by Hereditary Rulers
Developed Powerful Central Bureaucracies
Created Universal Legal Codes/ Laws

4. They Had Many Things in Common;
Far-Reaching Trade Routes
Large Cities
Canals
Highways and other Public Works

5. Eastern Empires
India - the Maurya dynasty united all the states along the Ganges in 300 B.C.
The Hindu faith flourished, but after 500 B.C. many converted to Buddhism

6. Eastern Empires Confucianism and Buddhism were the main religions.
Shi Huangdi unified Eastern China in 200 B.C.
For most of China’s History, the Han and other dynasties ruled a united China.
Confucianism and Buddhism were the main religions.

7. Classic Civilizations of Europe

8. Classic Civilizations of Europe
The Greeks built a brilliant civilization based on independent states
Rome built an Empire that covered three continents.

9. American Civilizations
In North America, Hunters and Gatherers spread over the continent.
Mexico in 500 A.D. saw the rise of the Maya, later the Aztecs in the ’s, and in Peru, the Inca’s had an even more powerful civilization

10. Looking Ahead
Some of the empires of Europe, Asia and the America’s became models for future generations in centuries to come. They left behind great monuments, mathematics, calendars, laws, and different forms of government. Together China, India, Greece and Rome left cultural impressions that linger today.