Factors of Decline: Rome
The Roman Empire faced constant pressure from these groups along its borders.
Who are the barbarian tribes?
The concentration of land and wealth in the hands of a few led to widespread economic disparity and unrest among these people.
Who are the peasants?
This nomadic group invaded Gupta territory and eventually fragmented the empire into provincial states by the 6th century CE.
Who were the Hunas (Huns)?
The Roman Empire's extensive network of these facilitated trade, military movement, and communication across vast distances.
What are Roman roads?
This figure was the founder of what came to be known as the Gupta Empire.
Who is Chandragupta I?
In 410 CE, this group famously sacked the city of Rome.
Who are the Visigoths?
As central control weakened in the Han Dynasty, regional warlords began to do this.
What is fighting for control? (War)
In the 5th century, Gupta coins had less ______ in them, which hurt the empire’s economy.
What is gold?
This trade route, established during the Han Dynasty, connected China to Europe and facilitated cultural exchange.
What is the Silk Road?
This powerful emperor expanded Han territory and built strong central control through laws and taxes.
Who is Emperor Wu (or Han Wudi)?
Economic troubles were exacerbated by this practice of increasing prices, which reduced the value of Roman currency.
What is inflation?
This nomadic group from the north frequently invaded Han territory, posing a constant external threat.
Who are the Xiongnu?
The Gupta Empire lost important trade connections with this region, which hurt their economy.
What is the Mediterranean?
This council of nine artists and intellectuals advised Chandragupta II and featured famous thinkers like Kalidasa. They were known as the ____________.
Who are the Navratnas ("Nine Gems")?
This philosophy, emphasizing respect for elders and social harmony, was promoted during the Han Dynasty.
What is Confucianism?
Name at least two external pressures that contributed to Rome's fall (must have both correct for points).
Military spread thin due to barbarian invasions, increased economic burden from refugees, loss of resources from lost territories (such as North Africa), loss of long-distance trade/international trade failing
Rebellions like the Yellow Turban Rebellion were fueled by this growing issue in society.
What is wealth inequality?
This ruler, the grandson of Chandragupta II, wasted a lot of the empire’s money and helped cause its decline.
Who was Skandagupta?
To select qualified officials based on merit and knowledge, the Han Dynasty introduced this examination system based on Confucian texts.
What is the civil service examination?
The fall of the Western Roman Empire is often dated to 476 CE, when this Germanic leader deposed the last emperor.
Who is Odoacer?
Name at least two internal pressures that contributed to Rome's fall (must have both correct for points).
Loss of Roman tax-base, decline in Roman pride and military service, split between East and West, increasingly weak and ineffective leadership,
The eventual fragmentation of the Han Dynasty led to this period, characterized by division and civil war among rival kingdoms.
What is the Three Kingdoms Period?
Name at least two political factors that contributed to the decline of the Guptas.
Feudal states, decreased trade, weak leadership, invasions, internal rebellions, foreign interventions, and fights between rulers of local regions.
What about the Gupta Empire's governance made it so effective?
Well-organized divisions and a hierarchical structure, decentralization and delegation of duties (not putting all responsibilities on one person or group)
During the Han Dynasty, rulers used this idea to justify their rule by claiming divine approval.
What is the Mandate of Heaven?