ASPIRE CHART Study Tool

History 204

This is a great tool to use whenever you are studying a new culture, empire, nation, group of peoples,
religion, etc…

ASPIRE is an anagram for all the important aspects of a culture:

A: Art/Literature (the cultures important contributions to art/literature)
S: Social Issues (social mobility; how the society treats its laborers, women, minorities, children, etc…)
P: Politics (who rules and how, the government; who has rights or not; military)
I: Intellectual Movements (philosophies, ways of thinking, inventions, technology, etc…)
R: Religion (What type of religion, basic beliefs and how they influence the culture)
E: Economics (How the people buy or make what they need to survive; money, trade, technology, farming,
etc…)

Assignment:

In the chart attached, ASPIRE each civilization from Antiquity. You should fill in the box for civilization
and describe its important art/literature, society, politics, etc…
 ASPIRE CHART Study Tool
A: S: P: I:Intellectual R: Religion E:
Art/Literature SocialIssues Politics Movements Economics
Sumerian The Sumerian The Sumerian The Sumerian The Sumerian Sumerians Agriculture was
Civilization Civilization made a Communities Civilizati- Civilization was believed in crucial in the
great contribution to were divided into on’s type of very innovative. anthropomorphic Sumerian
Art/Literature three social Gov. They invented the Polytheism. economy.
through their form classes. The was a sailboat, the They believed Agriculture not
of writing known as upper class monarchy. chariot, the wheel, there were only provided
cuneiform, a (kings, priests, Their Gov. the plow, and multiple gods in food for them but
number system, and warriors, and was very metallurgy. They human form, it created surplus
their unique use gov. officials), organized. are know to specifically to be traded with
clay soil. They used middle class Their invent intellectual those who ruled other city-states
clay soil to make (artisans, kingdoms games such as the city-states. or countries for
pottery, terra-cotta merchants, were parted checkers as well. other needed
sculptures, cylinder farmers, and into cities & materials.
seals, cuneiform fishers), the states. Each
tablets, and to lower class were one had its
securely mark servants and king & style
documents and slaves whom of life.
property. were treated with
very little
respect.
Babylonian The Babylonian The Babylonian The The Babylonian The Babylonian The Babylonian
Empire Empire is well Empire consisted Babylonian Empire Empire practiced Empire imported
known for the Code of three classes Empire’s gov. constructed what the religion of gold, silver,
of Hammurabi stele which were the was is believed to be Babylonia. copper, stone,
and their amelu (elite), the constructed the first map. Marduk is the wood, and salt in
 architecture using mushkenu (free much like the They were big on chief God of the return for needed
mud bricks. They men), and the Sumer gov. urbanization, they city of Babylon goods. They were
also formed an ardu (slave). The There was a developed and the national also big on
interesting form of woman of the king who regions. They god of bartering
writing using Babylonian ruled their invented Babylonia. agricultural
cuneiform symbols Empire had few city-states astrology, products such as
on wet clay tablets rights. They had with the help horoscopy, and grain and wool in
that were baked in a strict role of of the the concept of return for goods
the sun. fulfilling residents. time. they could not
household duties They produce
and failure to followed the themselves.
complete their Code of
duties made Hammurabi.
them liable to be
divorced. If a
woman was
caught
committing
adultery they
could be
drowned.
Assyrian The Assyrian The Assyrian The Assyrian The Assyrian The Assyrian The Assyrian
Empire Empire is well Empire’s social Empire built Empire was the Empire believed Empire engaged
known for its huge ladder crowned one of the first to use the the there were in cattle breeding,
Iamassus guarding the king at the greatest pottery wheel to many gods that agriculture, grain
entrance ways to top, followed by empires of enhance pottery. ruled different product, fruit
palaces. They used gov. officials, Mesopotamia. They used looms parts of the growing, and
art to display power, scribes, and Popular for to weave cloth universe. Their trade. Their rivers
communicate with priests. Nobles their military from wool. They chief god was were abundant in
religious legends, were merchants strength and invented things to Ashur. Some fish. They also,
parables, and to and business centralized help them assert Assyrians were developed copper
 document history. owners in the gov. Their their power (siege Christians as and bronze.
They used a writing upper class. The king equipment) like well.
system called the lower class controlled the battering rams to
Ashuri alphabet consisted of empire with break down
which is a artisans, the help of enemy gates and
traditional carpenters, and servants such towers, and they
calligraphic form of farmers. The as governs, used bronze metal
the Hebrew bottom of the treasurers, and iron to make
alphabet. society were the delegates, strong tools and
slaves who had deputies, and weapons.
no freedom. scribes. They
Woman were not had a
deprived of all monarchy
their rights but type of gov.
were still
considered
second class
citizens. They
were looked at as
the incubator for
male offspring.
Persian The Persian Empire The Persian The Persian The Persian The Persian The Persian
Empire is famous for their Empire social Empire Empire invented Empire practiced Empire’s main
astonishing structure was practiced animation, postal a monotheistic source of
architecture and strict. The royal absolute service, religion called economy was
style of art. Persian family remained monarchy. backgammon, Zoroastrianism. through
art mainly consist of at the top, Persian rulers batteries, sulfuric The god of this agriculture and
ceramics, paintings, followed by referred to acid, (yakhchal) religion goes by dividing up state
weaving, pottery, priests, nobles, themselves as the first version of the name of lands. Finances
sculpture, ivory merchants, the king of refrigerators, Ahura Mazda. also came from
cravings, and artisans, kings. The alphabets, the their taxation and
 bronzes. peasants, and empire was taxation system, tribute system.
slaves at the divided into and the concept of Persians traded
bottom. Persian 20 provinces human rights. gold, silver,
women were and each was copper, lead, and
highly respected ruled by a blue lapis lazuli.
and, in most governor aka Valued coins also
cases, considered a Satrap. circulated
equal to the men. There are 20 through the
They could own provinces to empire.
land, run make sure no
businesses, and region
received equal becomes too
pay. The Persian powerful.
Empire was very
tolerant of non-
Persian citizens
living in Persia.
Ancient Egypt Ancient Egypt is Ancient Egypt Ancient Ancient Egypt Ancient Egypt Ancient Egypt
famous for their must serious Egypt gov. invented bowling, religion was a had some of the
architecture, tombs, social issues was a make-up & wigs, combination of most fertile land
masks, statues, and were theocratic barbers, beliefs. Egyptian in that time. They
palettes. The Great overpopulation monarchy. toothpaste/breath mythology, grew crop to use
Sphinx of Giza is a and poverty. The king mints, the police, science, it in their
huge limestone There waa few ruled by order mathematics, medicine, bartering system.
statue. The Mask of wealthy people of the gods. geometry, psychiatry, They was no
Tutankhamun is a at that point in The gov. surveying, magic, money or coins at
popular piece, along time. There were officials’ job metallurgy, spiritualism, the time so they
with the Fayum three classes, is to assist the astronomy, herbology, a depended on their
mummy which is a upper (royal king in their accounting, paper, higher power, goods.
portrait. Ancient family, rich role as medicine, the and life after
Egyptian literature landowners, gov. supreme lever, and mills death all
 confronted all officials, priests, ruler. These for grinding grain. constructed their
aspects of life which army officers, officials were They utilized religious beliefs
made it so unique. It and doctors), usually simple machines and practices.
was a spurce of middle (chiefly, members of like rope trusses
spiritual literature. merchants, the royal to aid the
manufacturers, family. construction
and artisans), process.
and lower class
(unskilled
workers, and
slaves). Women
of ancient Egypt
were equal to
men.
Hebrews and Hebrews and their Hebrews and Hebrews and Hebrews invented Hebrews were Hebrews and
their kingdoms were their kingdoms their drop irrigation, the first their kingdoms
popular for their were made up of kingdoms had rooftop solar hot civilization to economy were
Kingdoms
palaces and four classes. The a combination water system, a practice based around
sculptures and royal family, the of a laser projection monotheism. field labor and
paintings of the upper class (civil monarchy, keyboard, iron Their legacy is craft production.
history of ancient officers, military tribal dome rocket so powerful the They depended
Israelites. officers, and federation, interception worlds three on the harvest
religious priestly, system. Their major religions and craft
leaders), the theocracy, most important Christianity, production such
middle class and rule of invention was Judaism, and as metals,
(citizens, prophet’s their idea of Islam are all jewelry,
farmers, herders, type of gov. monotheism. rooted in the weapons, and
merchants, and At one point belief of the ceramics to be
craftspeople), it was an same God. traded.
and the lower absolute
class (slaves). monarchy ran
 The slaves by the king.
served for seven Desire and
years and then greed for
were freed. power and
Many of the prestige
citizens were hindered their
forced to find political
their jobs, farm, force. People
or herd, to adapt in the
to their kingdom felt
surroundings. as though
Hebrew woman their king was
were excluded too weak and
from many of the self-centered
social, political, to create a
and religious strong
institutions. They kingdom.
were responsible
for the
household,
clothing, and
food.
Phoenicians Phoenicians Phoenicians Phoenicians Phoenicians were Phoenicians The Phoenician
excelled at social structure had a famous for their practiced the economy was
metalcraft and was made up of monarchy ship building Phoenician built on timber
carving. Their three classes. type of gov. skills. They religion. They sales,
famous ivories and The top class ran by their invented the keel, had multiple woodworking,
metal reliefs (kings, priests, king. the battering ram gods such as glass
influenced many landowners, and and caulking Baal, Astarte, manufacturing,
close regions. gov.), the middle between planks. and Melqart. shipping goods,
Phoenicians wrote class (farmers, They are also They correlated and the making
 using their alphabet merchants, class responsible for their gods to of dye.
they developed from people, and the modern stars, planets,
the Proto-Canaanite fisherman), and alphabet, and
alphabet. the lower class warships, blown constellations.
(slaves and and molded
servants). If they glasses, royal
worked, woman purple, and
had lower jobs in navigation
this civilization. systems.
They were
usually
housewives and
had little to no
influence in
politics.
Ancient India Ancient India is Ancient India’s The Ancient India Ancient India is Ancient India
where many forms social structure civilizations invented chess, home to some of depended on
of art like paintings was well of ancient snakes and the world’s trade and
and sculptures, and organized into India had ladders, basmati oldest religions, oversees trade.
architecture five classes. their own rice, yoga, Hinduism, The items they
evolved. The history Bhramin (priests, different gov. sanskirt, Buddhism, and exported were
of their art began and academics), In the Indus Ayurveda, water Jainism. All cloths, iron,
with rock paintings. Kshatryia Valley on the moon, three religions saltpeter, sugar,
(warriors, and Civilization plastic surgery, evolved from and spices.
kings), Vaishya priest kings the binary system, their belief in Pearls, copper,
(merchants, and ran the gov. Fibonacci reincarnation, coral, mercury,
landowners), The Maurya numbers, and karma, and vermilion,
Sudra Empire had a fibre optics. liberation. elephants and
(commoners, centralized horses were
peasants, and gov. that imported.
servants), and encouraged
 untouchables trade and
(outcast, street culture.
sweepers, and
latrine cleaners).
The woman was
treated with
respect and
dignity. Woman
made a
significant
contribution in
the making of
administrative
functions.
Ancient China Ancient China is Ancient China’s Ancient Ancient China Ancient China Ancient China’s
well known for its social structure is China had a invented practiced economy was
calligraphy. Chinese made up of 4 monarchy papermaking, gun Confucianism, based on
art also includes classes which are type of powder, the Taoism, and agriculture.
embroidery, landlords, government compass, and Buddhism. Their Majority of
paintings, statues, peasants, ruled by an printing. philosophies and Chinese families
buildings, shrines, craftsmen, and emperor and religions didn’t lived in small
porcelain, silk, merchants. a royal just influence farming villages.
puppets, lacquer Woman in family. The them spiritual
ware, firecracker ancient China emperor ran but also
folk toys, opera, were restricted. the gov. influenced their
paper fans, paper They were based on their gov., science,
cutouts and lanterns, completely religious arts, and social
kites, seals, swords, inferior to men. beliefs. structure.
and daggers.
Mayans Mayans art consist Mayans society Mayans Mayans invented Mayans Mayans economy
of stone sculptures, was divided developed a ball courts, practiced was based on
architecture, between nobles, hierarchical chocolate, law animism and food and
ceramics, wood commoners, government and order, the Catholicism. agriculture.
carving, and wall serfs, and slaves. ruled by Maya calender, Farming was the
paintings. Mayans The noble class kings and and main labor
also created pottery was specialized priests. They hallucinogenic resource. Mayans
but without the use due to their level were drugs. traded goods
of a potter’s wheel. of complexity. separated into from across
Mayan woman city-states. Mexico and
had an important There were Central America
roll in society. no armies, but including cotton,
They warfare salt, jade,
participated in played an obsidian, cocoa,
economic, important roll tropical bird
governmental, in religion, feathers and
and farming power and slaves.
activities. prestige.

Aztecs Art was an import Aztecs were Aztecs had a Aztecs invented Aztecs religion Aztecs economy
aspect of the Aztecs challenged with hierarchical irrigation, was primarily was based on
life. They used their lack of food type of gov. draining swamps, polytheist. They agriculture and
art to praise their because the ran by the creating artificial practiced Matos trade. Agriculture
gods. They would island was not supreme islands and lakes, Moctezuma. feed a high
wear their art as big enough for leader. The a form of They had number of
jewelry and feather- their temple and empire was hieroglyphic different gods, inhabitants in the
work. Materials multiple gardens. split into city- writing, and male and female. empire. Aztecs
used were shells, They also faced states known complex calendar merchants would
rocks, coral, copper, lack of as altepetl. systems. travel on foot to
gold, quarts, transportation Aztecs did trade and sell
 obsidian, silver, and back to not have a turquoise, quetzal
turquoise. Aztec mainland. standby army feathers, cacao,
main literature was Woman would but called obsidian, and
their codex which is be housewives warriors jade.
a book where they and provide when
kept all their clothing and required.
historical records. food for their
family.
Cahokia Cahokia is well Cahokia Cahokia had Cahokia was the Cahokia religion Cahokia had a
known for its developed a a hierarchical largest and most was a distinctive corn-based
meaningful ranked society structure. The influential urban Native American economy
sculptures. with a chief and chief brought settlement. belief system. providing a
elite class this system of reliable food
controlling social order source all year. In
workers in lower to dozens of the marketplace
classes. villages they traded a lot
around the of material and
central objects for
residence of animals and other
the chief. materials and
This was very objects.
influential
and many
people
migrated to
the area.