Introduction

Cambridge University Press eBooks, pp. 1–4

Abstract

This study deals with one of the most remarkable developments in the history of the Ancient Near East, which had significant impacts on the long-term development of Eurasia. This development consists of the rise of sustainable forms of empire and imperialism. The emergence of durable empires resulted in a total transformation of interregional power dynamics of the ancient world. These imperial infrastructures eventually gave rise to the global order of the modern world, in which the actions of a few powerful governments have repercussions across the globe. While it would be naive to argue for a direct evolution of imperial traditions from Assyria to the modern world, I will argue that imperial repertoires were transmitted and reworked from one empire to the next, and that imperialism in the modern world has its roots in the deep past.

Authors 1

1. Bleda S. Dürıng corresponding Aachen

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Universiteit Leiden