Harriot’s reference to love and fear captures the paradox of pre-industrial empires. They were hard to found and manage because rulers lacked the resources to communicate and enforce their commands. Resisters had to be cowed, and quislings and collaborators cultivated. How did durable or viable empires – exemplified by the Spanish monarchy in much of the New World – cope and why did emulators and even imitators often fail? The lecturer will attempt to challenge received wisdom in adumbrating approaches to the problem.

For further details, please contact Professor Robert Fox, robert.fox@history.ox.ac.uk

All welcome