Research 

Part One:

   Give a clear picture of what this empire was like during healthier times. Annotate the following on your  

   poster, broken down into the following categories:

• Head (Political): Government -- What kind of government is used by this empire? What specific branches of government held power or drove the empire? Identify specific individuals associated with leading the empire. What made it the best form of government? 

• Heart (Culture): Religion/Belief Systems - How did religions/belief systems impact this empire? What religions and philosophical beliefs were central? How do they interact with other belief systems? What important buildings or locations are connected to their belief systems? What makes this the most successful way to interact with belief systems?   

• Hands (Innovations): Innovative Impacts - What elements of art/architecture/innovation are central to this empire? What did this empire develop or create that had a significant impact history couldn’t do without? Think about how this empire left its “handprint” on history. What makes this “handprint” the most important? 

• Legs (Social): Social - What is the social hierarchy employed by this empire? Which groups of people are higher or lower in status? What labor systems are used? Is there slavery? If so, in what form? 

• Feet (Economic): Trade -- How was this empire connected? What was their economic basis? How did they make money? How did they use their money? How did they interact with the land and their neighbors?

                   TIP: It might help to assign members of your group to specific categories/aspects of the body!

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Part Two: Autopsy

   At the bottom of your poster, include a post-mortem examination including the cause and manner of

   death:   

• What led to the decline of this empire?

• ​What weakened it?

• What led to their demise?