Universal Empire: A Comparative Approach to Imperial Culture and Representation in Eurasian History

by Peter Fibiger Bang (editor), Dariusz Kolodziejczyk (Editor)

The claim by certain rulers to universal empire has a long history stretching as far back as the Assyrian and Achaemenid Empires. This book traces its various manifestations in classical antiquity, the Islamic world, Asia and Central America as well as considering seventeenth- and eighteenth-century European discussions of international order. As such it is an exercise in comparative world history combining a multiplicity of approaches, from ancient history, to literary and philosophical studies, to the history of art and international relations and historical sociology. The notion of universal, imperial rule is presented as an elusive and much coveted prize among monarchs in history, around which developed forms of kingship and political culture. Different facets of the phenomenon are explored under three, broadly conceived, symbolism, ceremony and diplomatic relations; universal or cosmopolitan literary high-cultures; and, finally, the inclination to present universal imperial rule as an expression of cosmic order.

Genres: History

398 pages, Hardcover

First published August 31, 2012

Reviews

[Cecilie Larsen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was all over the place and varying greatly in quality. Was it even edited? By an editor? Did the two researchers who named as editors actually do editing? Even simple structural stuff is falling short - some chapters has a clear set apart conclusion, some gave kinda implied summaries at the end, others are all over the place in regards to any sort of structure. yeeaaaah and the introduction that is longer than several of the chapters and claims to give a "basic model and chronology"? It doesn't do either.
It's completely arbitrary what you're gonna get in terms of quality, but pretty much every author assumes you have detailed pre-existing knowledge about their specific subject and explains next to nothing in terms of context, persons, and terms.