MMW 12 Chapter Intro to the Course: The World in 100 BC: From the ‘Great Convergence’ to the ‘First Great Divergence’
8 Jan 2017
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Mmw 12 article notes from the great convergence" to the first great divergence": Roman and qin-han state formation and its aftermath. God-like emperors living in the largest cities of the world. Political core weakened by warlordism and barbarian states. Two different ecological spheres: rome: mediterranean core, continental european northern periphery, china: loess and river plain core, hotter and wetter southern periphery, development eventually shifted to peripheries. Rome centered on temperate sea core enabled communication, transfer of goods and people, projection of power. China river valleys, mountain ranges, had to create canals in order to combat physical obstacles. Rome rivers converge upon inner sea core. China more compact and self-contained, shielded by mountains and sea on three sides. 1st stage: to 500 bce, creation of polities at western margins for military capability. 2nd stage: 5th-4th centuries bce, middle powers, conflict, more military capability. 3rd stage: hegemonic power over large sector, 4th and early 3rd centuries bce, strengthened leadership.
