Alliance

This helps explain how Europe developed two broad groupings. Their members were not equally committed to one another, and not every agreement was a military alliance. The danger was that a dispute involving two countries might draw in their partners and become a much larger conflict.

Ideally, alliances would allow Henry to fight successful campaigns without England carrying the full cost. Yet lengthy wars were expensive, so Wolsey also promoted Henry as a peacemaker. A king who brought other rulers together could gain respect through diplomacy rather than conquest.

Polycrates initially formed an alliance with Amasis, king of Egypt. Amasis feared Persian expansion and sought naval support, including cooperation with Greeks. Polycrates’ fleet made him a useful partner, while friendship with a wealthy king helped strengthen his own position.

Akbar wanted rulers beyond his existing territories to recognise his authority. He used military force, but he also made alliances: cooperation could provide loyal commanders and soldiers without a prolonged war.