An Age of Empires (600 BCE to 600 CE)
After a period of playing with various types of monarchy and empire, we get the rise of large, consolidated states which between them divided up much of the Eastern Hemisphere. In Europe, around the Mediterranean, we see the expanse of the Roman Empire, which put a final end to the Egyptian kingdom (in 31 BCE) and which pushed domestic boundaries north into Central Europe, and as far away as modern-day Scotland. In South Asia, we have the Gupta Empire, which consolidated across much of central South Asia and created a theatre-state to maintain control. In the Far East, the Han established a large empire which brought together disparate elements of Asia. All three built roads to facilitate movement and trade; all three used religion or a philosophy to maintain control; all three expanded through conquest. And another thing: all three fell because of overextension (both economic and territorial) and because of the incursions of barbarians (here's looking at you, Vandals).
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