Transcript Difficulties and the Collapse of Empires

Difficulties and the Collapse of
Empires
Political, cultural, environmental, and
administrative difficulties lead to
decline, collapse, or transformation
Deforestation
• Deforestation, clearance or clearing is the removal of a
forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter
converted to a non-forest use. Examples of deforestation
include conversion of forestland to farms, ranches, or urban
use.
• A typical progress trap was that cities were often built in a
forested area, which would provide wood for some industry
(for example, construction, shipbuilding, pottery). When
deforestation occurs without proper replanting, however;
local wood supplies become difficult to obtain near enough
to remain competitive, leading to the city's abandonment,
as happened repeatedly in Ancient Asia Minor. Because of
fuel needs, mining and metallurgy often led to
deforestation and city abandonment.
Desertification
• The process of fertile land transforming into
desert typically as a result of deforestation,
drought or improper/inappropriate agriculture;
such as the movement diversion of rivers and
streams for irrigation purposes
• Desertification has played a significant role in
human history, contributing to the collapse of
several large empires, such as Carthage, Greece,
and the Roman Empire, as well as causing
displacement of local populations.
Soil Erosion
• There is considerable archaeological evidence
from many parts of the world that accelerated
erosion by water (in particular) is often
associated with early agriculture.
• Deforestation, roads, and urban sprawl are
amongst the most significant human activities
in regards to their effect on stimulating
erosion. Soil degradation is also a contributing
factor due to lack of crop rotation
Silted Rivers
• Thick deposits of silty material resulting from aeolian
deposition are often called loess
• A Silting River Kills Ephesus
• Ancient Ephesus was once a thriving port city but
silting of the harbor from the deposits carried by the
Cayster River caused the port to progressively move
seaward. The retreating harbor presently six miles from
the city ruins, meant that shipping was no longer
tenable and as trade ships preferred Smyrna, so too did
the Ephesians move out and eventually the
magnificent city was fully abandoned.
Deforestation
Stumps would also have to be removed before the land could be planted
Desertificaiton
Northwest China
Soil Erosion
Due to improper agricultural practices
Silted Rivers
Cause flooding, due to deposits of silt from run off
External Problems
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Resulting from invasion
Security issues
Han Vs. Xiongnu
Gupta Vs. White Huns
Romans Vs. Northern Neighbors
Han Vs. Xiongnu
• Full-scale war broke out in autumn 129 BC, when
40,000 Chinese cavalry made a surprise attack on the
Xiongnu at the border markets.
• As a result of these battles, the Chinese controlled the
strategic region from the Ordos and Gansu corridor to
Lop Nor. They succeeded in separating the Xiongnu
from the Qiang peoples to the south, and also gained
direct access to the Western Regions.
• Bad weather in the Xiongnu region forced the Han to
retreat from a full victory and after the death of Ban
Chao the subsequent dynasties were never able to
reach so far West
Han Dynasty
2 CE
Gupta Vs. White Huns
• The Hephthalites broke east by the end of the
fifth century, hastening the disintegration of
the Gupta Empire.
• After the sixth century, little is recorded in
ancient India about the Hephthalites, and
what happened to them is unclear.
Huns Invade
The fall of the Gupta Empire
Romans VS. Northern Aggressors
• Large and vigorous, the people prized strength and
courage in battle; these were the attributes of the
Germanic tribes
• In Asia, during the 4th century, restless nomads called
Huns were on the march from the east. Mounted on
swift horses, they attacked with lightning ferocity all
tribes in their path. Crossing the Volga River, they
conquered the Ostrogoths in eastern Europe. Fearing
that the Huns would attack them also, the Visigoths
implored Roman authorities for sanctuary in the
empire. The Roman officials agreed, promising them
lands for settlement provided they came unarmed.
Romans Vs. Germanics continued
• Neither side lived up to the agreement, however, and
the Visigoths, without land and facing starvation,
began to sack Roman settlements. When the Roman
emperor Valens led a great army against the Visigoths,
to the astonishment of Romans and Germans alike, the
imperial force was scattered and the emperor slain.
This battle on the field of Adrianople in 378 A.D. is
considered one of the decisive battles in world history
because it rendered the Roman Empire defenseless.
German tribes outside the frontiers began to round up
their cattle, mobilize their fighting men, and move
toward the Roman borders.
Roman Fortifications
Constantly attacked by the Germanic tribes
Romans VS. Germans
The great battle on the plains of the dining room table
Germans Vs. Romans
Early Germanic Campaigns