From: "Kharyssa Rhodes" To: "WORLD SYSTEMS NETWORK" Subject: A Plea for Help: references re world empires Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1998 15:13:06 -0700 Hello everyone, I've recently signed onto the list and have been listening to the ongoing conversation with great interest. I have just come upon world-systems in my studies and have a request. I am particularly interested in the utility of this paradigm in studying ancient empires. Specifically, my topic deals with the interaction between the Roman Empire, the Meroitic Kingdom (Sudan) and the Aksumite Kingdom (Ethiopia) from 400BCE to 500CE. Both Meroitic and Aksumite kingdoms can be conceived of as are far-outlying peripheries -- they supplied the Roman core with raw materials from their own territory as well as from interioir Africa, but were (extremely) politically independent. However, their economies were interdependent to such a point that a loss of trade with the Roman Empire led to the Meroitic collapse. As I am just beginning to understand world-systems theory I am in dire need of references. Particularly, I am looking for more information on ancient world-empires, a case study or two, and theoretical critiques of the application of world-systems in archaeology as well as practical on-the-ground methodology. Of course, I've been through CU and internet resources and have had only marginal success. Any help is appreciated ! Kharyssa Rhodes Graduate Student Archaeology Teaching Assistant University of Colorado Department of Anthropology 1380 Lawrence Street #400 Denver, Colorado 80217