Description
Book SynopsisTreats religion and politics as halves of the same whole, tracing their relationship from the policies of Alexander the Great to the ideologies of modern Europe secularists, with stops in classical India, China, and the Islamic world. This book features images and maps that bring the narrative to life.
Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Preface Introduction PART ONE. RELIGION AND EMPIRE IN ANTIQUITY, 330 B.C.--710 A.D. 1. Alexander and Ashoka: Cosmopolitan Empires and Religious Policy from Egypt to India, 330--230 B.C. 2. Imperial Religion: China to Rome, 250 BC--250 A.D. 3. The Debate over Dharma: Hindus and Buddhists Compete for Ideological Dominance in South Asia 4. Confessional Religion and Empire before the Rise of Islam 5. The Rise of Islam and the Early Caliphate, 622--711 A.D. PART TWO. THE ISLAMIC MILLENNIUM, 700--1700 A.D. 6. Imperial Islam, 690--1500 A.D. 7. The Great Islamic Empires of the Early Modern Era (ca. 1500--1700) PART THREE. THE MODERN WORLD 8. Putting Religion in Its Place: Reformers, Kings, and Philosophers Challenge the Church 9. Putting Religion in Its Place: Revolution and Religious Freedom 10. The Contemporary Era: The Worldwide Regime of Meta-Religion Conclusion Suggested Readings Index
