First Age of Empires, 1570 B.C.–200 B.C. Previewing Main Ideas Groups from Africa to China sought to conquer other groups and spread their influence across vast regions. These societies built the world’s first great empires. Geography On the map, locate the Nile, Tigris, and Euphrates rivers, where many of the early empires arose. Why do you think the empire builders fought over these regions? For a long period, Egypt ruled Kush and the two cultures interacted. When the Kush Empire conquered Egypt, therefore, the Kushites adopted many Egyptian cultural values and ideas. Geography Study the map and time line. What other cultures might have adopted Egyptian values? After the warring states period, Chinese philosophers developed different ethical systems to restore China’s social order. Geography How might China’s location have affected the spread of the ethical systems that began there? RELIGIOUS AND ETHICAL SYSTEMS CULTURAL INTERACTION EMPIRE BUILDING 86 • Interactive Maps • Interactive Visuals • Interactive Primary Sources VIDEO Patterns of Interaction: The Rise of the Persians and the Inca INTERNET RESOURCES Go to classzone.com for: • Research Links • Maps • Internet Activities • Test Practice • Primary Sources • Current Events • Chapter Quiz • Interactive Maps • Interactive Visuals • Interactive Primary Sources VIDEO Patterns of Interaction: The Rise of the Persians and the Inca INTERNET RESOURCES Go to classzone.com for: • Research Links • Maps • Internet Activities • Test Practice • Primary Sources • Current Events • Chapter Quiz