506 Chapter 18
How do you govern
a diverse empire?
Your father is a Safavid shah, the ruler of a growing empire. With a well-trained
army and modern weapons, he has easily conquered most of the surrounding area.
Because you are likely to become the next ruler, you are learning all you can
about how to rule. You wonder what is best for the empire. Should conquered
people be given the freedom to practice a religion that is different from your own
and to follow their own traditions? Or would it be better to try and force them to
accept your beliefs and way of life—or even to enslave them?EXAMININGtheISSUES
• What problems might conquered people present for their
conqueror?
• In what ways might a conqueror integrate conquered
people into the society?
As a class, discuss the ways other empires—such as those of Rome,
Assyria, and Persia—treated their conquered peoples. As you read
about the three empires featured in this chapter, notice how the
rulers dealt with empires made up of different cultures.People in the court,
from the servants to
the members of the
court, mirror the
empire’s diversity.Clothing, music,^4
dancing, and food
reflect the customs
of several groups
within the empire.Distinctive headgear 3
marks the status of
military leaders and
scholars gathered
from all parts of the
empire.The shah entertains^2
the emperor of a
neighboring land.
Both lands have
great diversity of
people and
cultures.