(PART 1) A COMPLETE summary of the course 'History of International Relations' given by Dr. Jonathan Holslag. This includes the book, notes from the group discussions and answers to ALL exam questions on Pointcarré. This is only the first part of the summary with the answer to the question: "Discu...
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a) Discuss concisely the rise and fall and the “imperial traditonn of the following
empires/great powers:
1. the Egyptan Empire under the New Kingdom (NNew Egyptan Dynasty):
- Rise 16th century BCE
o Great rulers: they managed to expand the realm far into Nubia and the
Levant. First expanded the borders of Egypt to provide a bufer one
against invasions. Then they expanded the bufer ones into an empire.
o Nile: the Nile provided high agricultural productvity, such as grain
surpluses which led to trade, speciali aton in diferent craas, and politcal
power.
o Military power: strong as the army contained a lot of soldiers which
helped them to defeat rivals, such as the Hittes during the batle of
Kadesh
o Wealth: used gold as a tool of propaganda in which the pharaoh coaxed
other countries into doing what he wanted and were able to build large
temples
- Decline the kingdom began to weaken from the 13th century BCE onwards
untl it fell in 11th-10th century BCE. Egypt dealt with anarchy, decay, succession
struggle, politcal weakness and politcide.
o Invaders: its golden age came to an end due to a new threat that
appeared from the west. Lybian tribes began migratng into the Delta
region. Then the Egyptans had to deal with a new set of invaders from
the north, the Seas people.
, o High priests: the wealth and power of the priests of Thebes had gradually
increased. This led to the high priest Thebes elevatng himself to kingly
status and challenging the status of the pharaoh. In the end, the high
priest ascended the throne as pharaoh.
o Lybians: they managed to overthrow the high priest and became the new
pharaoh.
- Imperial traditon harmony means hierarchy. In which the pharaoh towers
above the obedient envoys and depicts the pharaoh as the supreme leader
among the other kings.
This imperial traditon is based on the Maat which is the most important role of
the Egyptan rulers. It’ss a divine force that prevails at tmes of prosperity. It
regulated the stars, the foods, the seasons, but also justce, obedience, order,
morality between people and natons. Meanwhile, Isfet (chaos) is the opposite.
Thus, the pharaoh needed to provide security, stability and harmony.
2. Assyrian Empire
- Rise 10th century BCE
o When it was stll a small kingdom, its campaigns drove out the Arameans
o Luck: its neighbors (Egypt, Babylon and invaders) were recovering slowly
from the collapse of the Bron e Age and were too busy fghtng among
themselves. This was the perfect opportunity to gain control over the
Middle East
However, the rise was possible because of:
o Great rulers: capable kings with great strengths occupied the throne
without succession dispute
, o Domestc reforms: king organi ed the realm in provinces, fortfed the
capital, restored the fortress along important trade routes and increased
agricultural producton
o Military power: innovaton on the batlefeld, such as batering rams and
mobile towers, but also used camels and cavalry as an alternatve for
chariot warfare.
o Technological advances: hardening iron into steel
o Economic growth: control of trade routes, agriculture, etc.
- Decline 7th century BCE
o Beginning of its weakening:
Severe drought struck the empire which had an impact on the
agriculture
Had to deal with infaton
Unrest in its puppet states (Egypt and Babylon)
Its neighbors formed a big alliance to resist Assyria
o Aaer the death of its great king Ashurbanipal disorder in the empire
due its enemies
Civil war: Babylonians rebelled with the support of its alliance, the
Scythians and the Medes
The Medes exploited Assyria’ss power vacuum and conquered
most of the kingdoms in the Zagros Mountains
The Medes and its alliance invaded Assyria’ss important city:
Nineveh
Received litle support from Egypt: Assyrians were defeated by the
Medes and Babylonians during the batle of Carchemish
The Assyrian empire was shared out amongst its victorious
enemies, the Babylonians and Medes
- Imperial traditon predatory imperialism: they used propaganda and terror on
neighbors to receive tribute (gold, silver, tn, monkeys, etc.). Conquest allowed
for tribute and tribute allowed for new conquests. The conquered land would
become provinces, ruled by governors who upheld Assyrian traditon, or client
states, ruled indirectly through puppet kings who had to involve in foreign
relatons pay tribute and send children as hostage to the court.
The imperial order is based on Ashur (one of its important cites was named aaer
the god). He was the main god who instructed the king and the king was the
representatve of him. The king lived in the middle kingdom, the land chosen by
gods. His palace is surrounded by a paradise and that was surrounded by walls
and gates which on its turn was surrounded by farmland. Meanwhile the lands
, outside the kingdom were considered abandoned by the gods, called the failed
cosmos.
Wherever the king was in control, there was peace, tranquility and justce.
Wherever he did not rule, there was chaos.
3. the Persian-Achaemenid Empire
- Rise 6th century BCE
o Luck: weakness of its neighbors the Achaemenids were surround by
weak rivals, such as the Median Empire which was overstretched
o Strong leader: Cyrus the Great showed his leadership at the most decisive
moments which helped the Achaemenids to invade Babylon and defeat
Lydia
o Compassion: even if Cyrus was extremely violent, he was generous to the
people who surrendered didn’st kill the king of Media (Median Empire),
locals from Babylon were allowed to keep praying to their gods, defeated
kings became vassal rulers
- Decline 4th century BCE
o Rise of Macedonia: despite Persia’ss struggles, it remained the most
powerful empire in the region. This relatve strength made the Persian
king underestmate the rise of Alexander the Great:
Alexander invaded Asia Minor, leaving the satraps powerless to
halt him
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