Imperial

Imperial Parallels in Rome and Han China Family headed by all-powerful patriarch Strong loyalties bound family members Agriculture: fundamental economic activity Revenues from percentage of annual harvest Depended on free peasantry for military service and forced labor Rulers secured power by breaking the powers of old aristocratic families, seizing land, and doling it out to farmers (kept large tracts for themselves as well) State declined when wealthy noblemen took it back Spread out from ethnically homogeneous core to widespread territories Brought cultural unity to the region Skilled farmers with high crop yields led to population boom Less space ( migration to new territories Advanced Roads Created network of cities and towns