Gupta Empire

~320-~550

~618-~907Sui Dynasty (581-617)

~960-~1279

Rise of Empires

• Describe any THREE common features of the historical circumstances associated with the RISE of each civilization.

Rise – Gupta - ~320-~550

• Smaller kingdoms after Mauryan = “dark age” 185-300

• Kushan…

• Huge trade = great wealth (esp. w/Rome)

Rise – Gupta - ~320-~550

• Chandra Gupta marries – result = gains control of trade routes on Ganges

• Son Samudra Gupta = 40+ year reign = one long military campaign

• Son Chandra Gupta II continues military conquest

– All after trade & wealth

Rise - Gupta

• As western Roman empire disintegrated, Gupta at its height

• “Golden Age”

– Kumara Gupta

– 40 year reign

Achievements & Beliefs

• Describe any THREE significant achievements or contributions from the high point of each civilization in the arts or architecture.

• Characterize the role of belief system in each civilization.

Achievements - Gupta

• Extensive achievements in science, technology, engineering, art, literature, logic, mathematics, astronomy, religion and philosophy that became the elements of what is generally known as Hindu culture

• “Golden Age”

Gupta mathematicians • developed the

concept of zero

• developed the decimal system based on the number 10.

number writing system

• created a number writing system that was later adopted by the Islamic Empire.

– Arabic Numerals = number writing system used throughout the world today.

Medicine

• Gupta physicians developed herbal remedies to treat various illnesses.

• developed a form of plastic surgery for the treatment of facial injuries.

• Physicians vaccinated against smallpox, a practice later used in China (10th century) and Europe (17th century.)

Gupta architecture • stone temples to the

various Hindu gods.

• Buddhists built shrines to house the remains of select holy people.

– called Stupas.

• form of architecture made its way to China where it was altered slightly and renamed the pagoda.

Gupta literature

• fables and folktales written in Sanskrit.

• stories spread west to Persia, Egypt, and Greece, and became the basis for many Islamic literary works such as, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves and Aladdin and his Magic Lamp.

Video Clip 00:07:48

Source: User: GlobalRegents9. Gupta Empire. 6 Jan 2011. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaXWsodnyyg

Role of Belief Systems: Gupta

Hinduism

Government & Cultural Diffusion

• Compare and contrast the government of each civilization at its height. Include a discussion of a law code and succession to power.

The Inevitable Fall

• Describe any THREE common features of the historical circumstances associated with FALL the of these civilizations

Fall - Gupta• Invasions (Sassanids,

Hephthalites, Huna fr. Central Asia, etc) early 5th cen.

• Royal family squabbles over succession & power

• revolt of local chieftains / administrators / warlords

• dissolved into independent kingdoms by 515