User:Atcovi/HIS 111-A26: World Civilization Pre-1500 CE (SP23)/Ch 4

Answer 8 questions (6/8)

1. How would you organize the South Asian Indian states, Assyria, the Zhou dynasty, and Persia on a con- tinuum from decentralized to highly centralized structures? Why?

2. Using the city plan of Chang’an and a Sumerian city plan, show how such layouts reflect the level of centralization.

3. To what degree do religions play a role in the central ization of these states?

Religion was used as a tool to give the ruling party more power, so this allowed rule to be under one ruler that was "God-sent" (hence the "divine right of kings").

4. What groups were displaced during the Assyrian rule and remain displaced today?

5.. How many people in the world today are considered displaced persons? What is today’s world population? What was the world population during the Assyrian Empire? The Assyrians are believed to have displaced 4 million people. What is the percentage difference between 4 million in that time versus the present day? \

6. Why would a state or an empire choose displacement as a method of state management?

7. Why do you think veiling became important?

'''Veiling is considered to be modest for women. The aim of veiling was to follow God's commandment. It also hid the beauty of a woman so that sexual temptations would be reduced and modesty would prevail in normal society, according to religious doctrine.'''

8. What are some of the other cultures that practiced veiling during this time? Was it practiced for the same reasons that the Assyrians had? '''Veiling has been practiced in Asian, African, and European societies. Himation, practiced by the Greeks (750-30 BCE: https://wp.geneseo.edu/masks/2021/05/10/progression-of-head-and-face-coverings-ancient-to-contemporary-times/), although predominately covering the body, could also be used to cover the head of women (as seen in certain art). Though - there was no record that the Greeks did it for religious purposes like the Assyrians, its purpose was to protect the "privacy of the individual", as similar scope to veiling in religious backgrounds.'''

9. Was Cyrus the Great’s rule successful? Why or why not?

'''Cyrus the Great was not named "Great" for no reason. He was an accomplished ruler because he displayed religious tolerance in his rule in Persia. He expanded his kingdom all the way to Western/Central Asia.'''

10. What were some of the differences between how Ashoka and Cyrus ruled?

'''Both rulers were very successful and very well-known for their religious toleration and did not potray themselves as "gods". Although Cyrus was peaceful from the get-go, Ashoka was violent and killed dozens of his brothers for the throne. It is said that he changed his nature at the time that he took ownership of the Mauryan Empire - so one can say that he wasn't really genuine and only had a change of heart when he was able to rule. As for the differences within their times of kingship, I wasn't able to find any differences. They both believed the government served their people the rights they deserved (notably Cyrus freed slaves).'''

11. Why would leaders and states choose to rule in anauthoritarian fashion over more tolerant and open rule? What guides these choices?

'''Usually what guides a ruler to authoritarian rule is either tradition (father was an authoritarian, so the son will follow through) or "divine destiny", where the king claims he has the utmost right to rule the town in whatever way he wants simply because "God said so". Religion is an easy way to control people and convince people of certain actions that would otherwise look irrational. Also, complete control from the king to stay in power for the rest of his life is a strong desire for such way of government.'''

12. What factors accounted for the formation of empires versus smaller decentralized communities in various areas of Asia?

13. Discuss the forces that paved the way for the rise of early empires in 1250-325 BCE. What were their characteristics?

14. What was the relationship between empires in Asia and other peoples outside its political boundaries?

15. Describe how climate change, migrations, technological developments, and administrative innovations contributed to the formation of empires in the later second millennium BCE.

16. What are the common features of empires across Eurasia from 1250 to 325 BCE? What are the similarities and differences in how empires formed, or did not form, in Southwest Asia, South Asia, and East Asia?

17. How did the Neo-Assyrian and Persian empires consolidate their imperial control over vast territories? What role did religious and political innovations such as Zoroastrianism and the satrapies play in that consolidation?

18. How did peoples on the margins of Neo-Assyria and Persia—including the Sea Peoples, the Phoenicians (with their alphabet), the Israelites (and their monotheism), and the Greeks—interact with these imperial powers?

19. How did the Zhou Dynasty establish control in East Asia, and what role did the mandate of heaven play in their maintenance of power?

'''This allowed the Zhou Dynasty to take control of opponents through alliances. The "mandate of heaven" provided an explanation to taking over the Shang dynasty.'''

20. How did socio-religious developments such as varna, the Vedas, and the Upanishads enable South Asia to become integrated without a centralized imperial state?

Allowed common characteristics for integration between multiple people (spreading of ideas & religion), without the need of brute force