The Pagan Empire, also known as the Pagan Dynasty or the Pagan Kingdom, was an ancient kingdom located in modern-day Myanmar (Burma). It existed from the 9th to the 13th century and was one of the first empires to emerge in Southeast Asia. The Pagan Empire was founded by King Anawrahta in 849 AD. He unified the various city-states and tribes of the region under his rule and established Pagan (modern-day Bagan) as the capital. Anawrahta is considered the first king of the Pagan Empire and is credited with initiating the process of unifying the region. Under the Pagan Empire, Buddhism became the dominant religion in Myanmar.
Buddhism is the main religion practised in Myanmar, with the Theravada Buddhist schools being the form of Buddhism. Mostly widespread across the country. This form of Buddhism initially spread from India through Sri Lanka and then across Southeast Asia. Other religions including Mahayana, Islam, Hinduism, Christianity and Animism are also practised in Myanmar. It’s even common to see a mixture of religions practised together at Buddhist religious sites in the country made apparent with the statues of local Animist spirits known as Nats and Hindu gods and goddesses situated alongside statues of the Buddha.
Pagan s 250-year rule over the Irrawaddy Valley and its periphery laid the foundation for the ascent of the Burmese language and culture, the spread of the Bama ethnicity in Upper Myanmar and the growth of Theravada Buddhism in Myanmar and mainland Southeast Asia. Buddhists from Dai regions southern Yunnan and Laos , Thailand, and India where Buddhism had been oppressed came to study in Pagan as Anawrahta moved the center of Burmese Buddhism north from Thaton.
Under the Pagan Empire, Buddhism became the dominant religion in Myanmar. King Anawrahta embraced Theravada Buddhism and made it the state religion. He initiated many religious reforms and sponsored the construction of thousands of Buddhist temples and pagodas throughout the empire.
Christian and Pagan in the Roman Empire
Among the voices that come across the centuries from early Christianity, few speak with sharper accents, or in more highly colored tones, than that of Tertullian. First in the Latin-speaking West to leave a major corpus of writings, Tertullian is also the first in the West to address in both treatise and tract the issues confronted by Christians in their encounter with the surrounding pagan world.
Tertullian belonged to an era when Roman imperial power was at its height and paganism could proudly claim the blessings of the widespread Roman civilization. Though it was an officially tolerant world, unofficially it was suspicious of the politically incorrect: challenging social structures was an act of unthinkable bravado. Tertullian took on the challenge.
Before his conversion, Tertullian appears to have participated fully in his contemporary pagan culture. A Carthaginian, his education was thoroughly Roman; he was fluent in Latin and Greek, and widely read in literature, philosophy, rhetoric, and medicine. His conversion to Christianity brought to him a radically new vision of the world, while his pagan education provided him with the tools to express that vision with almost unparalleled power. He possessed a logic that penetrated through misty ambiguities to the heart of things; he practiced a formulaic style that sharpened inherent contrasts; and he refined a narrative art that enriched theology with vignettes of the pagan and Christian worlds of his day.
Tertullian is a primary source for a modern understanding of the issues that once confronted—and still confront—Christians living in a non-Christian world. Unfortunately, his writings have often been cast aside as too difficult to read. In this volume, Robert D. Sider undertakes a judicious pruning of the original texts and brings a fresh accessibility to the important writings of Tertullian.
"A very helpful anthology of [Tertullian's] works in an inexpensive and accessible format, one which allows modern readers to encounter a difficult and challenging writer by providing both context and annotation. Sider's greatest contribution stems from his experience at reading and understanding Tertullian's rhetoric. He enables the reader to engage Tertullian and understand his argument on its own terms. This volume should serve well as an introduction to Tertullian for upper-level undergraduates or for graduate students new to the world of early Christianity."—Michael Heintz, Journal of Early Christian Studies
Robert D. Sider is professor emeritus of classical languages at Dickinson College and adjunct professor of history at the University of Saskatchewan. A leading expert on Tertullian, he is the author or editor of many works, including the popular text Ancient Rhetoric and the Art of Tertullian.
The Bagan Dynasty, the first dynasty in the history of Myanmar, flourished from the 11th to the 13th centuries and built the foundation of Myanmar culture, and Buddhism was introduced throughout the coastal regions, people endeavoured to build pagodas in order to perform religious deeds. Bagan also prospered as a great kingdom for water management. Many pagodas were maintained by successive kings, even today Bagan is loved by many people both at home and abroad as the birthplace of Myanmar’s culture and heritage and enormous efforts for the conservation of water.
These temples, adorned with intricate art and sculptures, became iconic symbols of the Pagan Empire. The Pagan Empire reached its peak during the reign of King Kyanzittha (1084-1112 AD). Kyanzittha expanded the empire's territory through military conquests and built grand structures such as the Ananda Temple, which is regarded as one of the finest surviving examples of Pagan architecture. The Pagan Empire declined after the 13th century due to internal conflicts and external invasions. It was eventually overthrown by the Mongol Empire in 1287 AD. The invading Mongols sacked the city of Pagan, destroyed many temples, and brought an end to the empire. Although the Pagan Empire no longer exists, its legacy lives on in the form of the thousands of temples and pagodas that still stand in the region today. These historic structures are a testament to the empire's rich cultural and architectural heritage. In conclusion, the Pagan Empire was a significant kingdom in Southeast Asia during its reign from the 9th to the 13th century. It played a crucial role in the spread of Buddhism in Myanmar and left behind a remarkable architectural legacy that continues to captivate visitors and researchers..
Reviews for "The influence of the Pagan Empire on neighboring civilizations"
1. John - 2/5 stars
I was really disappointed with "The Pagab Empire". The storyline was confusing, and it was difficult to connect with the characters. The pacing was also off, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. Overall, I found it hard to stay engaged and lost interest halfway through.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars
I couldn't even finish "The Pagab Empire". The writing was convoluted and lacked clarity. The world-building was weak, leaving me confused about the setting and the rules of this supposed empire. The characters were one-dimensional and uninteresting, making it difficult for me to care about their fate. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
3. Alex - 2/5 stars
"The Pagab Empire" had an intriguing premise, but it failed to deliver on its potential. The plot felt disjointed and poorly executed. The dialogue was stilted, and the characters lacked depth. There were moments of promise, but they were overshadowed by the overall underwhelming nature of the book. I was left feeling unsatisfied and would not pick up another book by this author.