This seminar is a survey of empires in the premodern period, especially the two millennia from 500 B.C. to 1500 A.D. Most early states were empires of some sort, ruled by kings or emperors with dynastic connections, dominated by great landowning aristocrats, supported through the exploitation of peasants, made plausible by a religious ideology, and usually aggressive toward neighboring peoples or states. Different combinations of these variables made for different empires. Some survived for centuries, others were transitory.

Aspects of empire, emperorship, and imperial rule have long been important topics in modern scholarship. The readings for this seminar will include important modern books and articles about premodern empires. The focus will be on the ancient Mediterranean and the adjacent regions (e.g., the Athenian empire, the Roman empire), post-Roman Europe (e.g., the Carolingian empire), and the Near East and Middle East (e.g., the Caliphate). Readings will also include comparative studies from around the world.

Topics to be discussed will include administration, rulership, imperialism and frontier societies, cities and countryside, economy, culture, religion.

Course Requirements:

This seminar satisfies the requirement of the proseminar needed for the Certificate in MEMS. This includes participation in all discussions, short written reviews of the readings, and a substantial research project, presentation, and paper that advances your own interests in the problems of interpreting empires and imperial societies.

Intended Audience:

Graduate students interested in empires and/or premodern societies.

Class Format:

Format: Classes will consist of discussions of the readings (sometimes with visitors), discussions of students’ reviews of the readings, and presentations by students.