Prologue
Journal: Oxford University Press eBooks
Year: 2017

Extract This work takes a thematic approach in general chronological order, with more detailed event-based history left to the background. In some cases, it is built into the chapters: Chapters 7 and 13 concerning imperial ideology, for example, pause to recount the vagaries of dynastic succession behind confident claims of seamless God-given power. In other cases events and institutions are mentioned for which the reader might wish prior knowledge. This prologue therefore provides a quick chron