Empires existed before the so-called Classical Age (roughly 600 BCE to 600 CE), but in this period, there are some major shifts. Contacts between regions expand and intensify, helping to spread ideas and culture. Rulers expanded not only their territories, but also their methods of justifying and consolidating their rule over different regions and people. In many regions, this expansion also meant assimilating new and diverse groups into even larger empires.
Birth of the Persian Empire with powerpoint and sources
PIECES of the Persian Empire with presentation and virtual museum
The Persian Empire through sources with sources and presentation
Persian Empire Debate (who was the GOAT, Cyrus or Darius?) with judge sheet and argumentation practice
Athenian Democracy simulation with role cards and powerpoint
Can't do a simulation? Here's a distance learning version
Athenian Golden Age and Pericles' Funeral Oration with presentation
The Gupta Empire with Interactive Traveler's Accounts (students analyze travel accounts from a Greek and Chinese traveler to Gupta India)
United China: The Qin with documents and presentation
The Fall of the Qin Document Analysis with documents and powerpoint
The Rise of the Han with lecture and documents
Han Society & Culture (links in doc) with presentation
From Western to Eastern Han (links in doc) with presentation
The Fall of the Han Analysis with concept web and powerpoint
Reign of Augustus Analysis with handout and intro powerpoint
Bread & Circuses with presentation and game
Why Was Jesus Crucified Dueling Perspectives with handout and powerpoint
Fall of Rome DBQ with graphic organizer and outline
Trade Across the Silk Roads with sources and webquest