Transcript Empire Models

Empire Models
Classical Period
500BCE – 600CE
Empire Model Questions
• What is the Conrad-Demarest Model of
Empire?
• What are the limits of using models to
understand history?
Pre-Conditions for Empire
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state level government
high agricultural potential
environmental mosaic
several small states with no dominate
power
• mutual antagonism between small states
• adequate military resources
Persian Imperial Example
• 4 empires ruled 558 BCE to 651CE
• Mesopotamian states ripe for conquest
• Environmental mosaic: mountains, valley plateaus,
jungles, deserts, arable lands, bordered many seas
• Equestrian skills and horses
• Alfalfa fed to horses made them stronger
Persian Imperial Government
• Capital at Persepolis
• 23 regional satrapies appointed by emperor
• Locals appointed to serve satraps – not in you face
control
• Audits by roving bands of government spies, military
officers to keep regions honest
• Regulated taxes and standardized laws, coinage
• Built good roads for communication and control (courier
service with horses – 1 week end to end of empire)
• Policy of toleration of local beliefs
State Ideology
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Supports:
– Personal identification with the state
– Belief in the empire
– Military conquest to expand empire
– Militarism
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Glorification of the ideals of a professional military class.
Predominance of the armed forces in the administration or
policy of the state.
A policy in which military preparedness is of primary
importance to a state.
Persian Imperial Example
• Continual expansion by conquest: Egypt,
Anatolia, Thrace, Macedonia, Indus River
Valley
• Zoroasterism and Darius
• Warrior class most important
Results of Empires
• Economic rewards
• Population increases
Persian Imperial Example
• Governed 35 million subjects
• Royal roads, peace, standardized coins
fostered increased trade
• Regular taxes from satraps replaced
intermittent tributes
Reasons for Downfall
• Overextension
• Failure to continue expansion undermines
government support
• Rebellions
Persian Imperial Example
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Parthians rebelled against Seleucids
Persian Wars vs Greek city-states
Alexander the Great (Macedonia)
Rome 280 CE and Rise of Islam 651CE