1. in mesopotamia, kings were representatives of the gods. in egypt, kings were gods.
in ancient china, zhou leaders introduced a concept of authority known as the
mandate of heaven. according to this, a just ruler received his authority to rule
from heaven; a king who was wicked or foolish lost the mandate and the right to rule.
how did monarchs in europe justify their right to rule?

2. absolute monarchs solidified their power in different ways. in persia, king darius
appointed local governors called satraps to rule each province and then sent out
inspectors throughout the kingdom to check on their loyalty. how did european
rulers centralize power and control the nobility?

3. roman and byzantine emperors controlled not just the state but the church as well.
how would you characterize relations between absolute monarchs in europe and
the church?

4. from the beginning of civilization, rulers have embarked on massive public works
projects, often at the expense of human freedoms. frequently, peasants had no
choice but to work or die. how did european monarchs view human resources
within their empires?

5. in addition to building grand palaces, in what other ways did absolute rulers use the
vast wealth they accumulated?

6. what are some social, political, and economic conditions in a nation or empire that
may lead to absolutism?