A. The chosen two empires from the list are Greece and Rome
1. Discussion of the impact of one geographical factor on each of the empires (Greece and Rome) selected in part A.
The geographical factors contributed greatly to the development that transpired in the two empires of Greece and Rome. The Mediterranean contributed to the great developments realized by the Greek that enhanced sea trade as well as an exploration of the world that makes Greece recognized among the ancient civilization as a result of the Mediterranean Sea. The sea, also, provided and shaped their cultural aspects and lifestyles where they resorted to fishing as means of food security because their land was not fertile for arable farming that could enhance production of massive food crop, but they rather grew olives and grapes that they traded with at times. The Mediterranean Sea also to a geographical feature of a large water body enabled them practiced irrigated agriculture but on subsistence level to ensure food security in the empire. The Mediterranean Sea thus impacted greatly on the Greece Empire as a geographical factor.
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The Rome Empire also, on the other hand, was impacted by fertile land and favorable climate for agriculture as a geographical factor. The fertile land encouraged agricultural activities that enhanced food production where they grew crops such as wheat and barley that ensured the empire was food secure, and also it provides them commodities that they could trade with their neighbors and the world as a whole. The fertile land also made them grow additional crops such as live trees and grapes vines that they learned from the Greece empires. Food security was a relevant at the time due to the many wars experienced at the time where empire struggled to expand into their territories by capturing others territories as well as protect their already expanded and captured territories. As a geographical factor, fertile agricultural land increased the empire ability to realize many issues related to the social, economic, as well as the political aspects.
B. Description of two unique cultural characteristics for the Greece and Rome empires selected in part A.
The unique cultural characteristics for the Greece Empire was the development of the Athenian democracy that defines them as unique and as the first ever system of democratic government and society as early as around 462 BC. The second unique characteristic was that property was not a concern and requirement for one to hold office as was realized in many empires and traditions at the time. The idea thus encouraged and promoted people self-belief and engagement in political matters. Also, the Greek or Athenians courts, litigants spoke for themselves and were not represented by lawyers or judges, but they spoke for themselves that made them unique when compared to other empires and activities involved in the various empires as a whole.
On the other hand, the unique characteristics of the Roman Empire include tolerance of religious and cultural differences. And, the concerned empire and territories were allowed to continue with their religious and cultural aspects that enabled the rapid expansion of the Roman Empire to different parts of the world such as the Greece, North Africa and parts of the Mediterranean. The second unique characteristic was the development of unique architecture and arts that defined the Roman Empire culture. The architectural and art artifacts symbolized many issues that touch on the social, economic as well as the political life of the Roman Empire.
C. Description of changes in one of the chosen empires from part A by doing the following:
1. Identify two major leaders of the chosen empire .
The two major leaders of the Roman Empire include Gnaeus Pompey that ruled in 60s BCE as well as the Julius nephew Octavian also known as Augustus that ruled from 31 BCE.
a . Discuss one significant contribution for each of the major leaders you identified in part C1.
The one significant contribution that Gnaeus Pompey contributed to his Roman empire was to triple the revenue that the Roman Empire collected that helped it run its operations. Revenue was a critical part that financed many activities in the Empire and since the Roman Empire was among the largest; Pompey role was enormous as he doubled the territory of the Roman Empire at the time that he was in charge as their leader (Acrobatiq, 2014). On the other hand, the major contribution made by the other leader Julius nephew Octavian (Augustus) is that he led troops to a successful battle of the Actium in 31 BCE. His contributions were also enormous as he established the first Rome bureaucracy, reduced the size of the army that meant that resources would be diversified to other relevant parts and needs for the entire empire as well as the creation of a political system that indicated and showed the hierarchy and political processes involved. Also, he did a renovation of the Roman city and created the firefighting department to take care of the interest of the city related to safety and security.
2. Explain the methods used by the chosen empire to expand its territory and power.
The Roman Empire used combined strategy to expand its territory. It mainly engaged in the war to capture and expand its territory and had a large army as well as the navy that supported its objective and expansion strategies. However, in some instances, they embraced dialogue where they captured territories with ease and not necessarily engage in war. The enemies of other empire saw the extensive army and military equipment that the Roman Empire had and at times surrendered their territories with ease. Their strategies that embraced dialogue and enabling captured territories to govern themselves enhanced their expansion of the territories that resulted in capturing many newer territories resulting in rapid expansion. The only captured territories were only required to remain loyal to the masters and leadership of the Roman Empire but were allowed to continue with other aspects such as a cultural, and religious.
3. Analysis of how the Roman Empire Empire’s political structures changed over time .
With the growth and expansion of the territories of the Roman Empire, as well as incorporating other people with diverse cultural and religious practices in the Roman Empire, it determined the political process of the empire. The initial political set up was that of the monarchy ruled by a king. However, it changed to representation where the three relevant political institutions include the elected non-hereditary magistrates, popular assemblies as well as the Senate that each had unique functions and roles. They also intruded two consuls that replaced the king’s place as was in the monarchy times. The Consuls had supreme executive powers that commanded almost all of the development noted in the society political structure.
Reference
Acrobatiq. (2014). Survey of World History . Retrieved from https://wgunx.acrobatiq.com/courseware/contents/wh_apr14
