Peter Fibiger Bang:
Epilopue. Variations on a theme

This article tries to assess the usefullnes of pursuing the comparative framwork explored in this collection of essays still further. Is is soncluded that the framework should not be understood in very restictive terms. Rather its value lies in its function as a minimal basis for further discussion and in identifying questions of research, not in denying differences between the various empires and historical epochs. These, however, it seems useful to capture or describe as variations within the common field.