In the next few chapters of Robert Strayer's book, Ways of the World, deal with the rise of empires, religion and inequality.
Strayer begins chapter 3 with the question, "but what exactly is an empire?" (p. 106) a question that people probably don't often stop to think about. What makes and empire an empire? Is an empire just a civilization or is it more? Strayer describes empires as states that conquer, take over and use other states and their peoples. He then compares several empires throughout the next few centuries. He talks about the Persian empire and the Greek civilization. The Persian empire was very large in people and area. Strayer states that there were around 35 to 50 million people in it (p108). It was interesting to hear about the beginning of the Greek civilization. As children we were taught a lot about Greece and their Gods and Goddess. The names in the book were familiar to me. Strayer later compares the Roman empire to the Chinese empire. He notes that both empires rulers, ruled under what they considered Divine order. He goes on to talk about the end of the empires and says it was due to over expansion and rivalries. He does talk about the Indian empire at the end of the chapter as well.
Chapter 4 was the one I found most interesting. It was about the different religions of the world and their forming and growing. I have always found the birth of religion such a mind blowing concept. To think about the people that we refer to as God's as being real people, like Buddha, Confucius and Jesus. As I read the chapter I tried to think about what religion I would have followed in those early years if you could pick one.
Chapter 5 was about society and inequality. Strayer talks about the caste systems formed in India and the Jati. I found it interesting that people in different Jati were afraid to even touch people that they thought were beneath them. Also the many different ways woman have been oppressed and refused rights. Strayer also notes that there is no way to determine how slavery started but that it was apparent in these societies.