Which empire surrounded the mediterranean sea

Even the most basic enumeration of all these features would take up a fair amount of space. At the same time, cultural specifics mediated the formal expression of many of these developments: significant differences range from the Republican background of Greco-Roman civilization as opposed to the feudal-monarchical tradition in China to the relationship between political and ideological power and the degree of autonomy of military power.

Previous scholarship. Comparisons between the ancient Mediterranean and China in the works of Max Weber or Karl Wittfogel have had little impact on the research agenda of specialist historians in either field.

As a consequence, systematic comparisons between the Greco-Roman world and ancient China have been extremely rare relative to the total amount of scholarship in either field and moreover almost exclusively confined to the sphere of intellectual and philosophical history. In recent years, a number of studies have focused on the nature of moral, historical, and scientific thought in Greece and China Tanner Their work was preceded by Konrad and Raphals Zhou covers aspects of social history.

Hsing I-Tien , an unpublished thesis, seems to be the main exception in a western language; cf. Custers , Brennan and Hsing I- tien and Scheidel discuss more specific topics. Recent historico -sociological studies of imperialism and social power that deal with Greece and Rome comparatively and within a broader context do not normally include China Doyle ; but see very briefly Mann ; the older global study by Eisenstadt is the only notable exception cf.

Kautsky excludes post-Zhou China. A new collection on early empires also failed to alter the picture Alcock et al. Hui expands comparison beyond antiquity. Some work has been appeared on relations between Rome and China e. The closest approximation of a comparative study of the imperial systems of Rome and an early Asian empire, Quaritch Wales on Rome and Khmer , is a rather amateurish attempt. There is no intellectual justification for this persistent neglect. Recent macro-historical work has highlighted independent parallel movements of socio-cultural evolution in different parts of the globe Diamond More specifically, historians of the more recent past are showing great interest in comparative assessments of Europe and China that further our understanding of the emergence of modernity and the Industrial Revolution e.

By contrast, the comparative history of the largest agrarian empires of antiquity has attracted no attention at all. This deficit is only explicable with reference to academic specialization and language barriers. Systematic comparisons between different imperial systems need to be grounded in appropriate methodological premises. Recent surveys of comparative historical studies allow us to distinguish between different ideal types of comparative approaches. Bonnell identifies two basic modes of enquiry: analytical comparisons between equivalent units involving the identification of independent variables that serve to explain common or contrasting patterns or occurrences; and illustrative comparisons, between equivalent units and a theory or concept, which evaluate evidence in relation to predictive theory rather than particular units in relation to one another.

The latter may aim for the confirmation of general sociological principles or more narrowly for the identification of rules for a group of cases mid-level theory. The second method, contrast of contexts, applies comparisons to bring out the unique features of particular cases to show how these features affect the unfolding of putatively general social processes e.

Themes and questions serve as a framework for pointing out differences between cases, and emphasis is put on the historical integrity of each case and on the importance of specific historical configurations relative to the predictions of ideal types and theoretical models. This approach helps define features of one system more sharply by comparison with conceptually or functionally equivalent features in another system.

Their third variant, macro-causal analysis, employs comparisons for the purpose of making causal infererences about macro-historical processes and structures. Ideally, comparisons are used to generate new historical generalizations and thus theory e.

New theories are constructed from the convergence or absence of features and consequences. Unlike parallel demonstration, which tends towards repetition, and contrast history, which tends to be more descriptive than explanatory, macro-causal analysis obviates the need to provide coherent narratives and makes it possible to focus on what is needed to address specific explanatory problems.

The search for causal explanations of historical events lies at the heart of comparative studies. Given background variation, the main questions are which factors were crucial to observed developments, and how different contexts could produce similar outcomes or vice versa. While these processes cannot generate precise predictions, the cross-cultural consistency of human behavior currently a major issue in the debate between culturally and biologically oriented models of human nature means that they may usefully imply probabilities of outcome.

Expert knowledge is required for all elements of the comparison, not just for the cases the researcher is familiar with. With regard to comparisons between the ancient Mediterranean and ancient China , this calls for close cooperation between experts in different fields who are brought together through the application of shared methodological premises in the study of different systems. In practice, historical comparisons inevitably rely on a mixture of different approaches.

Our project centers on a number of interrelated questions see below. Our initial analytical comparisons will necessarily be grounded in some degree of parallel exposition for the purpose of establishing a sound evidentiary basis for comparative investigation.

We will not seek to provide comprehensive coverage of all noteworthy or conventionally emphasized features of each system under review. The resulting series of interlocking case studies will permit us to establish a more systematic profile of differences and similarities which can be used to assess the relative significance of particular variables in the development of these imperial states. During the Second Punic War, Rome found itself on the defense as the Carthagian general Hannibal and his elephants marched over the Alps and south into Italy.

Again, Rome defeated Carthage and conquered some of its territory, this time in Spain. Rome was now the major hegemonic power in the Mediterranean region. Over the next century, it cemented its status by conquering coastal territory in the modern-day countries of Greece, Turkey, Egypt and others until it completely surrounded the Mediterranean Sea.

After that, Rome used its impressively large army to extend outward in various bursts, sometimes just taking advantage of neighboring states and kingdoms as they fell. In the 60s B. These eastern territories had old and complex political systems that Rome largely left in place. When Rome took over, it introduced some Roman systems, while still trying to keep power in the hands of local leaders to ensure a smooth transition.

After unconstitutionally declaring himself dictator for life, senators murdered him in 44 B. The republic fell for good when his great-nephew, Augustus Caesar, declared himself emperor in 27 B. Now, the sprawling state of Rome was officially the Roman Empire. The empire reached its peak in A. And its main streets are home to the PortAventura Parade. The first building you come across is called Mas Fonoll , a true representation of the typical peasant houses with an orchard.

It is the central space of the village where the fish auctions take place. The establishment has several very different buildings that tell the story of its founder, a fisherman who decided to buy several houses in the port to open a unique restaurant business.

Finally, there is a farmhouse called Can Bacus , inspired by the vineyards and houses dedicated to wine production. If you want to know more about the magnificent attraction, check out: How does Furius Baco reach its top speed?