Nor do the various ways that empires have managed their intrinsically diverse subject populations; or the ways empires have physically presented or legitimated themselves - for instance by establishing splendid capitals, as Tamerlane did in Samarkand.
"Sadly I left Rome this morning, otherwise I'd rather fancy throwing a couple of limp-wristed wafts at a total stranger in a tourist dive in one of Europe's more splendid capitals".
An unchallenged murder record — a splendid university — hobo capital to the country — railroad ruler, corn baron, liquor king — and the finest of grand opera.
The sun shines, the beaches are sandy and you can dine on lobster on the roof of the Sharmo Hotel, which commands a splendid view of the capital, Mogadishu.
They have built sports facilities, parks, and a splendid corniche in the capital with a seaside promenade and parkour stations; hosted fun runs with hefty cash prizes; set up free body mass index and blood pressure monitoring stations.
Today, it's an excellent place to get a fresh view on a fine city: the Atlantic to your right, Old Havana to your left, and in the background the capital's splendid seafront drive, the Malecón.
Along the once splendid streets of the capital of the Western world, disappointed American tourists in pink sweatshirts wander, unhappy that the travel agency has tricked them yet again: everything in Europe is so dinky, so small, so old!
He adorned Dresden; welcoming foreign musicians and others, he gathered around him a large and splendid court, and his capital was the constant scene of musical and other festivals.
In any event, the British capital is looking splendid.
Civil society and social capital sound like splendid and useful things.
