The Americas Mediterranean World Africa (the Nile Valley) Mesopotamia – Parthian The Indo-Gangetc Plain The North China Plain
(Rome) Empire (Qin Dynasty and Han
Dynasty)
The distributon of About 100.000 By beginning of 3rd Africa – small kingdoms Parthian kings arose from semi- None of the societies visited by Qin prevailed due to
power inhabitants in the frst century – Rome like Numidia and nomadic tribe in periphery. the Han travelers instilled more their superior power
Warring States Period century – Monte controlled area between Mauretania soon became fear than the Xiongnu – had their base – easy to defend,
was struggle for Alban remained small southern tip of Italian puppets of Rome. Further Had secured strong agricultural power base deep in Mongolia – endowed with
mastery of North China city. Larger is boot and River Arno south, the African power base from where its hemmed in by mountains, farmland and iron
Plain – but: Rome, Teotihuacan, (everything except continent remained the mounted archers could carry out Orkhon Valley offered mines. Superiority of
Carthage, some surrounded by large Lombardia?). Fertile plain habitat of tribes. their feared atacks. Parthian protection, water, woodland and Qin weapons less
wakened parts of the fertile plateaus, of the River Po, between shot = fring back at enemy grassland – whoever controlled clear.
empire of Alexander controlled the the Alps and Apennines when retreating in full gallop – this valley had a strong advantage
the Great vied for important trade still controlled by the surprised enemies. over smaller valleys in the
dominance in the routes. Yucatan – city Gauls. Mongolian hills, once those were Through annexations
Mediterranean, its states were founded controlled, the way was open to by Qin (see
trade and its food. that would later Rome complemented its the endless plains in the south ‘’interaction’’) –
From this contest, two become head land power with sea and to the Chinese empire. Not balance of power
empires emerged: fountains of the Maya power in just a few years much is known about its origins, swung decisively at the
- Han empire civilization. From –initially surprised rival from 3rd century incorporated detriment of Qin’s
- Roman Central America, a Carthage by installing most of the tribes between largest rival: The Chu.
empire belt of cities starched swing bridge on the bow Orkhon Valley, Chinese border
all along the Andes. of its ships – so that into a confederation. Led by Afer death of Shi
Beginning of the Gave birth to legionaries could storm powerful kings, ruled over 1 to 2 Huang – borders of the
second century, Rome enigmatic cultures like the Carthaginian ships – million souls, were able to feld empire stretched from
had become a superior Moche and Chavinoid. but Carthage held its 100.000s fghters on hardened the northern walls to
military power on land position. Mongolian horses. the Red River – military
and at sea. Han China Rest of America thinly was in permanent
was unmatched in populated by nomadic Afer war vs. Carthage Balance of power was in China’s overstretch.
terms of infantry, people. was won by Rome, Rome advantage, but Xiongnu excelled
chariots, and defensive was in control of the in surprise atacks – ‘’horses of Qin Dynasty collapsed
fortresses. Strategy of Western Mediterranean China cannot match those of – two pretenders, Chu
both powers shifed and its vital grain felds. Xiongnu, shoot and ride at the and Han started a new
from defense onto same time, face wind, rain and war to pick up the
offence. Even at darkest hours of fatigue.’’ – took more than 100 pieces.
the civil wars – Rome years for China to turn federation Chu had vast
Rome and Han China could rely on some of Xiongnu into tributary. powerbase in the
became dominant on important advantages: south, was bound to
the eastern and 1. no imminent threats Bactria = breakaway of Seleucid be victorious – but
western edge of the vs. Italian Peninsula – Empire (Mesopotamia), had main Chu warlord had
Eastern Hemisphere. Rom controlled gateways alliance with Seleucids since they largely ceremonial king
Egypt was in decline – of the Alps, Spain, feared advance of nomadic executed that with
its population under Balkans, large stretches hordes. Richness based on fertile cruel repression
the Ptolemaic Kings fell of Northern Africa. valleys of Amu Darya and caused unrest and
below 10 million. Rome’s legions had Ferghana. Diodorus – ‘’fortresses made 5 other
Parthian Empire progressed immensely in stood high above the trade kingdoms side with the
founded in their weaponry, tactics, routes between East, South, and Han.
Mesopotamia proved engineering and supply Central Asia.’’
resilient in military chains – afer Caesar Demographic growth =
terms, but agricultural defeated the Helvetii, his Afer death of Ashoka the Great new land reclamation,
stagnation caused a conquest of Gaul was an (268-323 BCE) – Mauryan Empire unprecedented
standstill in population unequal fght of had fallen into disrepair. Kashmir irrigation works.
growth. superiorly commanded Kings – frst to reclaim Development of towns
