Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | The Encyclopedia of Empire |
Editors | John MacKenzie |
Place of Publication | United States |
Publisher | John Wiley & Sons Ltd. |
Pages | 1-5pp |
Volume | 4 |
Edition | First |
ISBN (Print) | 9781118440643 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2016 |
Abstract
The idea that the small island kingdom of Tonga was an empire from around the 10th century ce until the coming of Europeans is a modern concept used by some prehistorians and nationalistic Tongans. Certainly there appeared to be maritime expansion during three epochs in Tongan history, but no enduring empire was established and those who went beyond the region of Tongan cultural, social, and trade exchange were raiders and independent settlers. This so-called maritime empire in Tonga was not unique in either Polynesia or the Pacific.