The great empires that flourished between 300 and 200 BCE can all be broken down into four factors that contributed to their rise. Although each empire faced prolonged periods of conflict, all four empires managed to impose unity and order among their people. The rise of these empires can be attributed to four specific factors crucial to their building. Crucial factors for the rise of great empires included a centralized form of leadership with uniform legal codes enforced, powerful military forces, a strong economy, and technological advancements. Ultimately, a centralized and efficiently managed government alongside powerful military forces caused the success of empires, but this is not a decentralized form of leadership and a weakened military attributed to the eventual collapse of great empires. . Each empire was unified under a diverse government and often before. antagonistic peoples and states. However, no major ancient empires were governed democratically, but rather were hereditary dynasties. Hellenistic states, Rome under the emperors, and Han China recruited at least some officials on the basis of merit rather than birth. Relying on their schools to fill administrative positions, those who were successful would in turn award efficiency ratings and on-the-job training, basing promotions on performance. In the Han example, administrators were chosen from a variety of formally educated men through an extensive selection process. However, in the Hellenistic states, literacy in Greek was essential for successful advancement in both the private and public sectors of society. To further ensure the success of the empire's government, empires had enforced uniform legal codes. The Roman Empire...... middle of paper...... advertisements, ports, waterways, irrigation projects, defensive walls or other facilities. The energies of empire grew to maintain security and strengthen the economies of these empires. The Great Wall of China, the Roman roads and aqueducts, the enormous granary complex of the Incas and the Ptolemaic irrigation works along the Nile are major examples of the energies developed. to maintain security and strengthen the economies of these empires. Often built by force, all great empires built elaborate public works. Roman roads accelerated troop movements, domestic trade, and international trade. The unfair economic burdens had a direct impact on the empire's military forces. The poor economy impacted technological advancements due to the expense of launching and maintaining projects of such magnitude, and often impoverished the governments that supported the project..