Classical Civilizations – Political Developments

The Dynasties and Empires

China QinHan

India Mauryan Gupta

Mediterranean Persian Empire City-States of

Greece Alexander’s

Conquests Roman Empire

Political Developments-Persia

Centralized Authority of an Absolute monarch… Ruled by the will of the Persian god Ahura

Mazda Ruled over 35 million people-respected

diverse cultural traditions of subject people Appointed governors in each of the empire’s

23 provinces Ruled over an imperial bureaucracy

(administrators, tax collectors, record keepers)

Political Developments-Persia

Standardized coinage Taxes “Royal Road” Imperial Centers-Grand cities that became

symbols of imperial authority.

Political Developments-Qin & Han

Central authority controlled . . .

Appointment of governors

*Standardization iron, salt, and silk

trade Religion Unified written

language

Expansion of bureaucracy

Used military to expand and control empire

Education and examination system created a scholar gentry class of government workers.

Political Developments-Qin & Han

Mandate of Heaven Dynastic Cycle continued

Emperors used status as “Son of Heaven” to reinforce their rule

Assimilated non-Chinese culturally, linguistically, and through intermarriage

Political Developments in Rome – Central Authority (Republic-Imperial Rule)

Emperor and Rome had authority (previously Senate and two consuls)

Military power kept stability (military power also built the empire)

Upper class bureaucracy

Assimilation through Citizenship (to conquered people)

Political Developments in Mediterranean

Local rulers maintained regional rule with Roman oversight-not as centralized as China

Emperors used religion to increase their authority

Diversity in religious beliefs and languages

Local trade relatively unrestricted – except for the trade of grains

Unlike China, Romans had an elaborate collection of written laws (good men vs. good laws)

The Collapse of Empire-Rome and Han China-Common Factors Too big-

overextended Too expensive to

maintain Large landowning

families diminish power of central authority

Epidemic disease Threat from

nomadic/pastoral people on frontier regions of empire

The Collapse of Empire-Rome and Han China-Common Factors Decline of urban life

(cities) Contracting

population (it gets smaller)

Less area under cultivation (less food)

Diminishing international trade

Insecurity for ordinary people

The Collapse of Empire-Rome and Han China-The DifferencesRome No large scale,

centralized authority ever rules over W. Europe for any significant time…ever!

Han China After several hundred

years, a new dynasty emerges with a single emperor, a bureaucracy selected by education and exams, and Confucian beliefs

INDIAN Political Developments-Regionalism of Mauryan & Gupta

“Independent” regional rulers

Diversity in religious/cultural beliefs and languages

Local trade relatively unrestricted-Center of Indian Ocean trade networks.

Some state-run industries (spinning, weaving, mining, shipbuilding, and weapons)

INDIAN Political Developments-Regionalism of Mauryan & Gupta

Identity comes from religious tradition (Hinduism) and a unique social organization (caste)

Caste structured society more than any imperial authority could!

Mauryan Empire DID have…large military forces and a civilian bureaucracy (taxes)

Some Similarities…

Centralized Monarchies-Exceptions? Bureaucracy-Most extensive? Investment in Public Works-Examples? Ability to tax Military Religion reinforced political authority-

Examples?

Political Developments in Persia, India, China, and the Mediterranean

Military conquest and

expansion of territory.

Political Developments in Persia, India, China, and the Mediterranean Central

government sponsored public works projects (Integration of empire)