Do you want to rule an Empire? Just what is an empire anyway? The dictionary defines an empire as a collection of natios or peoples rules by a powerful sovereign. Empires are very interesting and effective political organizations. They are typically ruled by an emperor who can make law and conduct war, and who can often do just about anything he wants. Furthermore, an emperor often rules a large territory with many kinds of people. His subjects may speak many different languages and have a wide range of customs. They may have religious beliefs that differ widely from one another. They may have many different local political structures and customs. How does an emperor deal with all this complexity? How does he maintain political control? Look at the various maps in the Textbook, how many countries made up the Roman Empire?
You may be surprised to hear that imperial rulers are often not concerned with the local languages and customs of their empires. Then what are they concerned with? How do they manage to keep political control in the face of so much diversity? One way was to erect buildings, monuments and other structures that showed the emperor to the people and depicted his power. What other techniques did emperors use to control diverse territories and peoples?
This week's theme confronts these questions for historical empires. It also deals with more general questions of how power is displayed.
Click on your assignments below:
2. Interpretation of Images.
3. Paper Assignment: The Tao. Due 3-19-2009
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