What became the true power behind the throne after the period of the “Good Emperors”?

china unilaterally claims the entire south china sea as sovereign territory, then builds artificial islands to bolster its claim. it suddenly activates an air defense identification zone over the east china sea, and threatens to down any aircraft that does not report its position. it builds roads into indian territory, then redraws the maps to show that it is actually chinese territory. the people's republic under president xi jinping is quickly becoming the bully of asia.

answer; ///i do believe that the correct answer is (d); ///athens had a small population;

deseasie in europe              

he founded the house of wisdom to encourage arabic translation.

hope this is the right answer : ) : )