'By considering a range of factors that influenced the expansion and contraction of ancient Eurasian empires, including ideological, military, economic, political and ecological, this book offers fascinating new insights into the study of empires, and also points historians towards exciting new directions in the developing field of comparative imperial analysis.' Craig Benjamin, author of Empires of Ancient Eurasia: The First Silk Roads Era, 100 BCE – 250 CE
'Ranging across time and space, this volume offers a timely investigation of the limits of universal imperial claims and constitutes an especially valuable critical contribution to comparative imperial studies. These essays add vibrancy to an already exciting field and open new areas of discussion that will further stimulate historical research.' Nicola Di Cosmo, author of Ancient China and Its Enemies: The Rise of Nomadic Power in East Asian History
'A captivating collection of essays about empires of the past and the factors that determined their territorial extent. Alongside a few familiar examples, such as Rome and the Mongols, are many little-studied empires in the Islamic world, Russia, and China. Consistently compelling reading.' Valerie Hansen, author of The Year 1000: When Explorers Connected the Globe—and Globalization Began