The fourth week of class covers ancient civilizations in what Bentley and Ziegler call the classical period, between 500 B.C. (B.C.E.) and 500 A.D. (C.E.) in the Fertile Crescent, China, and India. We will also see glimpses of Greece and the Hellenistic era to come. Please answer at least ONE of the following questions.  Remember to answer as completely as possible, and explain using specific facts, events, and other points.  Organize the answers and produce well-written efforts.  Work to develop the answer beyond basic facts by explaining points fully.  As a short cut, you may cite the text as "Bentley and Ziegler, page number" (e.g., Bentley and Ziegler, 108) .  Other sources should be cited fully using the University of Chicago Style (Turabian).  When in doubt, cite and reference completely. 1. Discuss the development of the Persian Empire and the dynasties that ruled it for a thousand years, noting important rulers and advances. How did the empire’s size lead to administrative changes to allow for a successful central government? Explain. Discuss the impact of war, the economy, and other matters on its society. 2. Why might it be said that Persia represents a bridge between the ancient Mesopotamian and Egyptian past and the Greek Hellenistic future? Explain this, citing examples, concentrating on events until the appearance of the Parthian Empire (which became the main organized state competitor to the Hellenized Roman Empire). 3. How did the Period of the Warring States give way to the unification of China under the Qin (Ch’in) and Han Dynasties? Explain the rise and sudden collapse of the Qin Empire? What happened? How did the Han institutionalize Qin practices and avoid its overreaches? Explain. How do the Xiongnu and other steppe nomads affect China and its stability? Discuss. 4. Why is order so important to China and the people living there? Discuss in the context of the politics and the state, the family and society, and the roles of individuals there. Why might it be said that the state is the family writ large in Chinese society? Explain. 5. Why is it said that the Persian and Greek imperial efforts assisted in the development of Indian political organization in the classical period? Explain, citing examples. How did the Mauryan and Gauptan states develop? Who and what was done? Explain. 6. How did Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism develop in classical Indian society? Explain the persons, ideas, and works behind these. How did they affect Indian society and its development. 7. Questions of religious salvation seem to have come into focus starting in the sixth century B.C. (BCE) in Persia and India. Who was involved and what religions originated in this period? Compare and contrast these. How did state or political power help or hinder the expansion of these religions? Explain. 8. Unlike developments in Persia and India, no salvation-oriented religions developed in China during the classical period, but significant ethical, moral, so ...

1. The fourth week of class covers ancient civilizations in what
Bentley and Ziegler call the classical period, between 500 B.C.
(B.C.E.) and 500 A.D. (C.E.) in the Fertile Crescent, China, and
India. We will also see glimpses of Greece and the Hellenistic
era to come.
Please answer at least ONE of the following questions.
Remember to answer as completely as possible, and explain
using specific facts, events, and other points. Organize the
answers and produce well-written efforts. Work to develop the
answer beyond basic facts by explaining points fully. As a
short cut, you may cite the text as "Bentley and Ziegler, page
number" (e.g., Bentley and Ziegler, 108) . Other sources should
be cited fully using the University of Chicago Style
(Turabian). When in doubt, cite and reference completely.
1. Discuss the development of the Persian Empire and the
dynasties that ruled it for a thousand years, noting important
rulers and advances. How did the empire’s size lead to
administrative changes to allow for a successful central
government? Explain. Discuss the impact of war, the economy,
and other matters on its society.
2. Why might it be said that Persia represents a bridge between
the ancient Mesopotamian and Egyptian past and the Greek
Hellenistic future? Explain this, citing examples, concentrating
on events until the appearance of the Parthian Empire (which
became the main organized state competitor to the Hellenized
Roman Empire).
3. How did the Period of the Warring States give way to the
unification of China under the Qin (Ch’in) and Han Dynasties?
Explain the rise and sudden collapse of the Qin Empire? What
happened? How did the Han institutionalize Qin practices and
avoid its overreaches? Explain. How do the Xiongnu and other
steppe nomads affect China and its stability? Discuss.
4. Why is order so important to China and the people living
there? Discuss in the context of the politics and the state, the

2. family and society, and the roles of individuals there. Why
might it be said that the state is the family writ large in Chinese
society? Explain.
5. Why is it said that the Persian and Greek imperial efforts
assisted in the development of Indian political organization in
the classical period? Explain, citing examples. How did the
Mauryan and Gauptan states develop? Who and what was done?
Explain.
6. How did Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism develop in
classical Indian society? Explain the persons, ideas, and works
behind these. How did they affect Indian society and its
development.
7. Questions of religious salvation seem to have come into focus
starting in the sixth century B.C. (BCE) in Persia and India.
Who was involved and what religions originated in this period?
Compare and contrast these. How did state or political power
help or hinder the expansion of these religions? Explain.
8. Unlike developments in Persia and India, no salvation-
oriented religions developed in China during the classical
period, but significant ethical, moral, social, and political
doctrines that would dominate until the 20th century did.
Compare and contrast the following: Confucianism, Daoism,
and Legalism. Discuss the impact on Chinese society of these
ideas.
9. Can we compare political, social, and religious developments
in the classical period (500 B.C. (BCE) to 500 A.D. (CE) in the
Fertile Crescent, India, and China with previous civilizations
and societies we have examined. What striking or standout
contrasts and comparisons can be made? Discuss.
10. After answering one of the questions above, are there any
other issues or questions you would like to your colleagues to
consider. Please post here and discuss.
Read:
B and Z, chapters 7-9 (make certain to read the highlighted

3. sections in each chapter)
One primary source reading for chapters 7-9 from the
publisher's website (www.mhhe.com/psi and click Traditions &
Encounters 5e)
Do: