Conquest

1000 BC-500 BC
Persian Empire

200 BC
Classical Greece

300 AD
Roman Empire

200 BC-300 AD
Rome and China

900
Vikings

300-900
Barbarians and Muslims
Persian conquests, 500 BC map

  It Starts in Persia
Kingdoms in the Middle East come and go chaotically until the Persians finally take control. The great Persian Empire eventually controls all the territory shown above (dark RED highlight). Along the way, the Persians conquer all of Greece, despite the heroic Greek victory at Marathon. This is a period of widespread naval battles between oar-driven galley fleets, with one climactic battle involving well over 1000 warships.

Alexander the Great, Carthage, 200 BC map

  Greek Revenge
Alexander the Great reverses the humiliation of the Persian occupation of Greece, when he rampages across the entire Persian kingdom without suffering a single defeat (GREEN highlight). Before he's done, he establishes control of Egypt as well. The Greek base of operations at Alexandria remains the leading port in the Middle East during the following 400 years. Meanwhile, Rome defeats Carthage after an epic struggle, to gain control of Mediterranean trade.


Roman Empire, 300 AD map

  Total Control
After 500 years of military expansion, Rome has displaced Greece as the dominant power in Europe. The Roman Empire eventually includes all the land surrounding the Mediterranean Sea (dark RED highlight). Financed largely by taxes on conquered territories, the Empire stands for 500 years as the world's first unchallenged super-power. The roads built by Roman engineers unite Europe, for the first (and only) time, while Roman shippers based in Genoa and Venice dominate seaborn commerce.


Roman, Han Dynasty wars, 300 AD map

  Two Centers
Conflict during this period is concentrated mainly in Europe and China. The wide-ranging battles all across Europe offer testimony to the difficulty of keeping an empire together. Tax revolts are common, as people remote from Rome resist making yearly payments in return for the dubious benefit of Rome's protection. In China, barbarians sweep in from the northwest, finally seizing control after a bloody struggle. The resulting Han dynasty rivals the Roman Empire in many ways. 


Roman collapse, Viking raids, 900 AD map

  Roman Collapse
The strain of trying to retain Roman control of northern Europe eventually proves too great. Tribes from what is now Germany gradually overpower isolated Roman forts, and finally take Rome itself. Before the end, however, the Romans prudently transfer their wealth to a new imperial capital located far to the east, in Constantinople (today's Istanbul). In the power vacuum that ensues, Viking invaders from the north take control of coastal regions. They arrive first as raiders, but soon turn to commerce.


Barbarians, Muslim expansion, 900 AD map

  Opposing Forces
After the fall of Rome, central Europe is pressured from both north and south. To the north, Viking raiders and Germanic tribesmen (known as the Barbarians) push southward virtually unopposed. Meanwhile, a brand new religion called Islam suddenly appears in the Arab Middle East. Following the vision of Mohammed, Muslim armies are able to overrun the vast territory shown above, even extending up into what is now Spain (BROWN highlight), in just 100 years.