By applying a comparative approach the volume focuses on a select group
of "empires" which are generally not in the focus of empires studies.
They are studied in detail and analyzed due to a strict concept that
takes into account real history and reception history as well. Reception
history becomes more and more an important element in empire studies
although this topic is still often more or less underdeveloped. The
volume singles out a series of such "forgotten empires". It aims to
provide a methodologically clearly structured as well as a uniform and
consistent approach. It develops a general set of questions that help to
compare and distinguish these entities. This way the volume intends to
examine and to illuminate empires that are generally ignored by modern
scholarship.