Josh+L


 * What Makes an Empire?**

Rafael Lefort is a game designer who wants to create a new //Age of Empires//-style video game for Han China and Imperial Rome. To help Mr. Lefort decide which features of each empire he should travel back in time to visit and include in his game, you'll need to research each dynasty and present your key findings on the following questions:

= **Key Questions:** =
 * 1) What is the difference between an ‘empire’ and a ‘civilization'?
 * 2) What are some of the major similarities and differences between the Roman Empire and Han Dynasty?
 * 3) Why are the Han Dynasty and Roman Empire important to World History?

=Resources= Your research will be confined to the following web resources and library databases. If you wish to use a resource not on this list you must seek approval from your teacher.

**Rome**
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 * China **
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 * __ [|http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/CHEMPIRE/FORMHAN.HTM] __
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 * Library Databases **
 * @http://www.micdslibrary.com/databases.html

Scroll down to the History/Social Studies menu; the ABCCLIO Ancient World History database is particularly helpful.

=Research and Citations= Use the space below to record your research for each question. Remember that you will need to cite your sources using the format found on the MICDS Library resource page.

What is the difference between an ‘empire’ and a ‘civilization'?
A empire is regions or states ruled under 1 emperor. The emperor has power over the laws but, to keep people happy, religion was allowed to be different, without threatening the emperor. Under the emperor philosophy, science, math, art, and a lot more flourished. Not all people did not need to work hard to keep the empire intact. A civilization is a life style. It is how people in 1 region held their area together. Their are 7 characteristics to a civilization including art, government, technology, religion, stable food supply, social structure and a written language. Life was hard and trade and unity are unheard of (unlike most Empires). Everyone had to work hard to keep a civilization together. Unlike a empire any type of government could be used, but it was very simple types of government (no where near oligarchy or democracy). Normally a person living i a civilization will never really know about the outside world.

What are some of the major similarities and differences between the Roman Empire and Han Dynasty?
The Romans and the Han Dynasty had a lot of similarities as well as several difference. The Roman Empire is known to Changing rules under different emperors. While The Han dynasty always stayed with Confucianism and most of all emperors followed these rules. Both empires always were ruled by one person at a time. Both of the empires had flourishing philosophy, economy and arts. The Han dynasty and Rome conquered a lot of area in the time of the empires. Rome conquered a lot more land then China though. Roman emperors were known to be killed by their the air to the thrown even their own sons. China did not suffer of those issues. All emperors were afraid of being overthrown in Rome or in the Han Dynasty. In both empires when the emperor dies and he has no air the Generals fight over control.

Why are the Han Dynasty and Roman Empire important to World History?
It is because of their effect in the modern world. They both effected philosophy, math, technology, the arts, and much, much more that helps today's need. They both effected how we thought of math, the Romans created roman numerals, a system of counting that remains today. While the Chinese made the abacus (a simple calculator) that is also used today to do arithmetic. The arts was affected by the Han Dynasty by calligraphy, calligraphy was a type of writing where the scribe (writer) kept going at a current flow, as if with nature, and it is normally put on a silk scrolls. Today it is how the Chinese write. The Roman affected the arts by their pottery and drawings, on drawings on pottery and drawing they made art that described their religion in great deal, which helps historians understand Rome better. The Romans helped technology mainly with concrete, it was and still is how most important part to architecture. The Han Dynasty for one found out about circulation of blood throughout the body and it would take a long time until that was rediscovered. The Han Dynasty also started to understanding magnetism by using a lood-stone (a magnet used like a compass) to guide the sailors in unknown sea.

Similarities and Differences
Before deciding which dynasty your client should visit, you may wish to create a simple Venn Diagram to compare/contrast the two empires. You may use [|this template] or create one online at Read-Write-Think.

=== Which features of each empire should Mr. Lefort travel back in time to visit and include in his game? Why? === Mr. Lefort should choose Imperial Rome. China is great, but not to the power house Rome built around the Mediterranean. Rome had the biggest empire by far. It conquered everything around the Mediterranean Sea even to the point they called it "their sea." It would be perfect for any violent game. The video game can take place in any terrain the rocky terrain of Greece to the dessert in Egypt. It could be about so much from basic life, to gladiators, to a General, it can be based on so much of the life of the Romans. This is the perfect empire to make a game based on. = **Travel Poster Components:** =

You will create a travel poster for each of the two empires. Each poster should be attractive, persuasive, and highlight the major features related to your topic. You will create the posters using Glogster.edu (instructions will be provided in class) and they should contain the following components:

__**Travel Poster Components**__
 * 1) One Glogster.edu poster for each empire
 * 2) At least three "must see" tourist features to include in the game for each empire that characterize what it means to be an empire with detailed text and relevant images
 * 3) At least one audio recording for each empire

The **[|Poster Rubric]** will be used to evaluate your work; you should refer to it before handing in your final product. When you have completed the poster, embed it below the "Travel Poster" heading below:

Travel Poster

media type="custom" key="6215925"
media type="custom" key="6216095"

= **Oral Presentation Guidelines** = The presentation is your opportunity to explain the importance of Han China and Imperial Rome and should follow these guidelines:


 * 1) Less than 3 minutes in length
 * 2) Should address/explain the "must see" features of each empire that should be included in the game
 * 3) Should explain why each empire is important to world history

This presentation is about speaking skills and the use of your poster. You will be permitted to use notecards but are NOT to simply read your notes to the audience. The **[|Presentation Rubric]** will be used to evaluate your work; you should refer to it before giving your final presentation.