The thesis that Chua discuses in the book is that for an empire to rise, it has to be tolerance. Tolerance is where one empire accepts different racial, religion and ethnic groups. It also means that everyone should be treated equal. When tolerance reaches the climax, or tipping point, it leads to intolerance, which causes a lot of conflicts, hatred, violence and the fall of empire.
The Archaemenids Empire started when Cyrus led a rebellion against Astyages then taking control over the empire. He later took over Lydian, Median and Babylonian and was the ruler of the largest empire that existed. His son, Cambyses invaded Egypt and continued respecting the local customs and religions like his father when he ruled the empire afterward. Later on, Darius took his place and trained the navy and troops. Xerxes, the next ruler was very intolerance and cruel. He destroyed temples and sanctuaries killing and enslaving in the process. Alexander, the next ruler, built the temples and sanctuaries back that Xerxes destroyed and raised a large army and was very tolerance. The empire later crumbled when Alexander died from a fatal fever and the rebellions acted up.
The Archaemenids Empire was very diverse including many people of different religion and origins. People from different places came and lived together and they interact peacefully and honoring the temples and cults. The military and navy were to protect the empire. The empire was introduced to systems of taxation and tribute and “mastered the art of the fictitious tax cuts” . The Archaemenids consist of many different fruit, plants, exotic animals.
The Rome empire became a hyperpower after the fall of the Achaemenid Empire. It was generously accepting refugees from Italy. It, too, respects the cultural identity of their citizens. Higher offices were opened to all educated men regardless of their race and nationality. Power were limited to women though, they weren't treated the same rights as...