Empire ModelsClassical 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

• 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

• Supports:– Personal identification with the state– Belief in the empire– Military conquest to expand empire– Militarism

• 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

• Parthians rebelled against Seleucids

• Persian Wars vs Greek city-states

• Alexander the Great (Macedonia)

• Rome 280 CE and Rise of Islam 651CE