Shadow Empires: An Alternative Imperial History

An original study of empire creation and its consequences, from ancient through early modern times, identifies seven kinds of counterempires and explores their rise, politics, economics, and longevity. Three former shadow empires—Manchu Qing China, Tsarist Russia, and British India—made this transformation in the late eighteenth century and came to rule most of Eurasia. World powers still use these strategies today, long after their roots in shadow empires have been forgotten.

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 12 December 2023
Publisher: Princeton University Press

The establishment of the world's first great empires by the ancient Persians, Chinese, and Romans is well-documented, but the empires that emerged on their peripheries over a span of 2,500 years are less well-known. These counterempires, also known as shadow empires, played a significant role in shaping history. They include imperial nomad confederacies like those in Mongolia that extracted resources from China rather than attempting to conquer it, as well as maritime empires like ancient Athens that controlled trade without seeking territorial hegemony. In his book, Shadow Empires, Thomas Barfield identifies seven different types of counterempires and delves into their origins, politics, economics, and longevity.

What these counterempires had in common was their interactions with existing empires that created the conditions for their development. When highly successful, these counterempires emerged from the shadows to become the world's largest empires, such as the medieval Muslim Arabs and the Mongol heirs of Chinggis Khan. Three former shadow empires—Manchu Qing China, Tsarist Russia, and British India—made this transformation in the late eighteenth century and came to rule most of Eurasia. However, the DNA of their origins endured in their unique ruling strategies, which are still used by world powers today, long after their roots in shadow empires have been forgotten.

Shadow Empires offers a fresh perspective on the histories of important types of empires that are often overlooked. It provides an original account of empire formation from the ancient world to the early modern period, shedding light on the complex dynamics and consequences of empire-building. By examining these lesser-known empires, Barfield offers valuable insights into the forces that have shaped world history and the strategies that nations have employed to achieve dominance and influence.

Weight: 770g
Dimension: 164 x 243 x 35 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691181639