Empires in the Near East and Mediterranean Regions: Steps towards Globalization?

Abstract

This paper discusses how the empires that developed in the Near East and Mediterranean regions between the 23rd century BCE and the 16th century CE represented steps towards the contemporary globalization process. The methodological approach is the one of world-systems perspective. Thus, besides the political element, economic, cultural and demographic aspects of the processes involved will be examined. The conclusion is that empires of the Near East and Mediterranean regions may be considered steps towards globalization in two ways: they contributed to the creation of crucial preconditions to contemporary globalization; and they displayed significant features that are similar to those of contemporary globalization.