One of the other developments that a common language allowed was the development of a code of laws to help govern the empire. Laws helped to reaffirm power structures in the empire as well as protection of human rights, an idea that has lasted to present times. The ruler often used laws to express his will throughout the empire and these laws were distributed by the officials of the ruler were higher ranking than the citizens. Goodspeed discusses this structure in the Babylonians, “The constitution of a state ruled by a king with such prerogatives and position is naturally summed up in the ruler. The citizen, while he expects protection and justice, is a subject; the officials are the king’s dependents; his will is law; and the strength of
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The building of roads is practical in that it facilitates quick and safe trading, as well as the transportation of troops across the empire. They also allow for the passing of information between places and positions. In ancient Greece, rulers understood the importance in maintaining roads to the various cities in the empire. John Fine write on the maintenance of roads, “Since it was essential that there be good lines of communication between these cities and various parts of the empire, the Persian kings, and probably Darius in particular, devoted much effort to restoring the old roads and creating new ones”. The Greeks understood the importance of maintaining roads and communication between cities. Without effective communication it become extremely difficult to maintain order in the empire. Perhaps the empire most famous for its roads, the Romans also placed a great deal of importance on making sure their roads were in proper shape. Peter Heather writes on the Roman roads, “The Balkans was the junction between East and West, and the empire didn’t skimp on its highways. Even as late as 376, the Balkans’ prime function , viewed from a central imperial perspective, was to provide a bridge between the two halves of the empire; and many resources were devoted to maintaining the roads, and the towns and way-stations along them”. Again it is seen how important roads were during this time and how many resources were used to make sure that they remained functional and well maintained. These roads are needed to move goods and people throughout the empire, however, they are also used for the transportation of information and knowledge through the empire. The Byzantines understood this and, like the previously discussed empires, devoted considerable resources to maintaining their roads. George Finlay writes on the Byzantine idea on the way
The building of roads is practical in that it facilitates quick and safe trading, as well as the transportation of troops across the empire. They also allow for the passing of information between places and positions. In ancient Greece, rulers understood the importance in maintaining roads to the various cities in the empire. John Fine write on the maintenance of roads, “Since it was essential that there be good lines of communication between these cities and various parts of the empire, the Persian kings, and probably Darius in particular, devoted much effort to restoring the old roads and creating new ones”. The Greeks understood the importance of maintaining roads and communication between cities. Without effective communication it become extremely difficult to maintain order in the empire. Perhaps the empire most famous for its roads, the Romans also placed a great deal of importance on making sure their roads were in proper shape. Peter Heather writes on the Roman roads, “The Balkans was the junction between East and West, and the empire didn’t skimp on its highways. Even as late as 376, the Balkans’ prime function , viewed from a central imperial perspective, was to provide a bridge between the two halves of the empire; and many resources were devoted to maintaining the roads, and the towns and way-stations along them”. Again it is seen how important roads were during this time and how many resources were used to make sure that they remained functional and well maintained. These roads are needed to move goods and people throughout the empire, however, they are also used for the transportation of information and knowledge through the empire. The Byzantines understood this and, like the previously discussed empires, devoted considerable resources to maintaining their roads. George Finlay writes on the Byzantine idea on the way