From the Mediterranean to the Indus Valley: Modalities and Limitations of the Achaemenid Imperial Space
Pierre Briant
Alexander the Great's victories over Darius III and his satraps between 334 323 BCE have been for very long interpreted as reliable testimony of intrinsic feebleness internal fragility Achaemenid empire, which expanded from Central Asia to Aswan Indus Mediterranean Sea, lasted more than two centuries (c.550–330). And yet, notwithstanding exceptional cultural political diversity countries peoples under empire’s rule, central authorities exercised a permanent control upon lands seas. The best way understanding originality such an ancient empire is rule out usual tricky alternative centralization versus independence/autonomy. Cultural imperial power are not mutually exclusive. main construction was that, in front powerful (Macedonian) invasion, could count on any ideology would be shared by all components empire.
Cambridge University Press eBooks