Mighty Empires
Which empire controlled much of Europe around 200 CE?
The Roman Empire.
What was the Silk Road?
A network of trade routes connecting Asia, Europe, and parts of Africa.
Which East African kingdom became wealthy from trade and later grew into a powerful regional empire?
Aksum.
Which large ancient city in central Mexico was famous for its wide avenue and enormous pyramids?
Teotihuacan.
What do we call groups of people who move from place to place rather than living permanently in one settlement?
Nomads.
Which Chinese dynasty spread its culture and inventions along the Silk Road?
The Han Dynasty.
What valuable fabric from China was traded along the Silk Road?
Silk.
Which African trading city was known for its wealth, pyramids, and ironworking?
Meroë.
Which Mesoamerican civilization developed city-states, a writing system, and advanced mathematics?
The Maya
What animals did nomads on the Eurasian steppe commonly herd?
Sheep, goats, and horses.
Which empire in India is remembered for advances in mathematics, science, and the arts?
The Gupta Empire.
Besides goods, name one thing that spread along the Silk Road.
Religions, ideas, technology, languages, knowledge, or diseases.
What was a mandala in ancient Southeast Asia?
A political system in which rulers controlled surrounding territories through alliances and influence.
What valuable volcanic glass helped Teotihuacan become a trading power?
Obsidian.
Which animal helped Saharan nomads travel long distances across the desert?
The camel.
What was one major difference between the Parthian and Sasanian Empires?
The Sasanians had a more centralized government, while the Parthians had more decentralized power.
Why did trading cities along the Silk Road often become wealthy?
Merchants exchanged valuable goods there, and the cities benefited from trade.
Why were the Arabian kingdoms of Ma'in, Saba, and Hadhramaut important?
They helped control trade routes and traded valuable goods such as spices and frankincense.
How did the Maya adapt to their environment to grow crops?
They used techniques such as terracing and collecting and managing rainwater.
How did the Bantu migrations influence Central and Southern Africa?
They spread languages, farming practices, and cultural traditions while interacting with other groups.
How did large empires help connect people across different regions? Give two examples.
They built roads, encouraged trade, spread languages and ideas, and connected different cultures. Accept two explained examples.
Why was the Silk Road important even though most people never traveled its full length?
Goods, ideas, and beliefs could pass between many traders and communities across long distances.
How could smaller trading kingdoms influence powerful empires without conquering them?
They connected trade routes, moved goods and ideas, and influenced economic and cultural exchange.
How did Tiwanaku's use of canals and raised fields help its civilization grow?
They controlled and supplied water for agriculture, producing food that supported a large population.
How did Polynesian migrations connect distant Pacific islands?
Voyagers settled new islands while carrying languages, traditions, knowledge, and cultural practices between communities.