Tribute 164392 217063558 2008-06-04T13:19:24Z 55yy55hh 6806994 Grammer {{Otheruses}} {{expand|date=November 2007}} [[Image:Russian prince takes tribute by Roerich.jpg|thumb|300px|''[[Poliudie]]'', by [[Nicholas Roerich]], [[1908]] (Moscow).]] A '''tribute''' (from [[Latin]] ''tribulum'', contribution) is wealth one party gives to another as a sign of respect or, as was often case in historical contexts, of submission or allegiance. It also incorporated certain aspects of regulated trade in goods and services between the parties under a contractual relationship formed upon [[duress]], and based upon the potential for threats if [[specific performance]] did not occur. A '''tributary''' or [[tributary state]] is a state, colony, region, or people who pay tribute to a more powerful, [[suzerain]] [[state]]. Various ancient states, which could be called suzerains, exacted tribute from areas they had conquered or threatened to conquer. In case of [[Military alliance|alliance]]s, lesser parties gave tribute to the dominant parties as a sign of allegiance and for the purposes of financing the agreed projects - usually raising an [[army]]. The term may also be used on religious [[tax]] used for maintenance of [[temple]]s and other sacred places. [[Athens]] received tribute from the other cities of the [[Delian League]]. Empires of [[Assyria]], [[Babylon]], [[Carthage]] and [[Rome]] exacted tribute from their [[province]]s and subject kingdoms. Ancient [[China]] received tribute from various states such as [[Japan]], [[Korea]], and [[Vietnam]]. [[Roman republic]] also exacted tribute in the form of equivalent to proportional [[property tax]]es for the purpose of waging [[war]]. ==Chinese practice of tributes as trade regulation and authority== {{main|List of tributaries of Imperial China}} In [[China]], the [[List of tributaries of Imperial China|tribute system]] began from the earliest days to provide both an administrative means to control vassals, as well as a means for which to provide exclusive trading rights to those who paid tribute from foreign regions. The process of tribute from a foreign nation to China allowed reciprocal trade under both imperial protection and imperial regulation, and barred entry into this trade by those who did not participate. It was an integral part of the [[Confucian]] [[philosophy]] and was seen as equivalent to the familial relation of younger sons looking after older parents by devoting part of their wealth, assets, or goods to that purpose. Political marriages also existed between the Chinese empire and tribute states, such as [[Songtsen Gampo]] and Wencheng (Gyasa). [[Image:13 bactrians.jpg|thumb|left|[[Bactria]]ns carrying tribute, [[Persepolis]]]] China often got tribute from the states under the influence of [[Confucian]] [[civilization]] and gave them Chinese products and recognition of their authority and sovereignty in return. Sometimes Chinese support were significant in local politics. There were numerous tribute states to the Chinese established empires through out the ancient history, including neighboring countries such as Korea, Japan, Vietnam. This tributary system and relationship are well known as [[Jimi System|Jimi]] (羁縻) or [[Cefeng]] (册封), or [[Chaogong]] (朝貢). Korea (朝鮮) entered the tributary system under the [[Han Dynasty]] in the 1st century.<ref name=korea_tribute>[http://100.empas.com/dicsearch/pentry.html?i=257083 empas 조공 tribute] (Korean)</ref> According to the Korean historical document ''[[Samguk Sagi]]'' (삼국사기, 三国史记), Korea sent a diplomatic representative to the Han Dynasty in 32 AD, and the [[Emperor Guangwu of Han]] granted the official rank of Korea.<ref name=korea_tribute>[http://100.empas.com/dicsearch/pentry.html?i=257083 empas 조공 tribute] (Korean)</ref> Japan was also tributary of China, and China granted King of Japan. There is a clear differentiation between the term tribute and gift. The former, known as ''gong'', has important connotations. The [[Emperor of China|Chinese emperors]] made sure that the gifts they paid to other states were known as mere gifts, not tributes. Even at times when a [[Chinese dynasty]] had to bribe nomads from raiding their border such as in the [[Han Dynasty]] and the [[Song Dynasty]], the emperors gave gifts to the [[Xiongnu]] and the [[Khitan people|Khitan]]. The only time when a dynasty paid formal tribute to another was during the southern [[Song dynasty]], where tribute was given to the [[Jin Dynasty, 1115–1234|Jin Dynasty]] for peace. In addition, the [[Zheng He]] expeditions also carried goods to build tribute relationships between the [[Ming Dynasty]] and newly discovered kingdoms. Tribute activities occupy several chapters in the [[Twenty-Four Histories]]. ==Western European notions of tribute in medieval times== [[Raid (military)|Raid]]ers, like [[Vikings]] and [[Celt]]ic tribes, could also exact tribute instead of raiding the place if the potential targets agreed to pay an agreed amount of valuables. Tribute was not always money but also valuables and that were effectively [[hostage]]s kept in exchange for good behavior. Various medieval lords required tribute from their [[vassal]]s or [[peasants]], nominally in exchange for protection to incur the costs of raising armies, or paying for free-lance mercenaries against a hostile neighbouring state. That system evolved into medieval [[taxation]] and co-existed as a secular approximation of the churchly [[tithe]] upon income. During the Spanish [[Reconquista]], there were period when the Christian kings were more militarily powerful than the Moors, but lacked the population to settle and defend the conquered territories. They were contented with receiving tribute, the [[parias]]. Combined with commerce across the Mediterranean, it was a means for African wares like gold to enter Europe. ==Tribute in the modern era== Modern elements of tribute are restricted to highly formal and ceremonial rituals: such as formal gifts being given to prove either fealty or loyalty upon the inauguration of a US or other president, a wedding of a president's children while in office; the accession of a member of a royal family, or their marriages; and even in the largely staged show business marriages, where studios, banks, and other stars prove their loyalty through expensive gifts in hope of future benefits, and if are not given will result in loss of business. Thus the element of duress and coercion seen in earlier times is part of this process, particularly in Hollywood.{{Fact|date=June 2007}} <!--also to be allowed influence in the sphere of operation or nation concerned a gratuity can, if accepted, be given as tribute.--Lost sentence fragment? ~~~~--> In general use, the phrase "'''to pay tribute'''" often means "to praise or laud", whether or not an accompanying gift (the historical understanding of "tribute") is provided. ==References== {{reflist}} ==See also== * [[List of tributaries of Imperial China]] {{wiktionary|tribute}} [[Category:International relations]] [[ca:Tribut]] [[de:Tribut]] [[es:Tributo]] [[fr:Tribut]] [[gl:Tributo]] [[id:Upeti]] [[it:Tributo (diritto)]] [[lt:Duoklė]] [[ja:朝貢]] [[pl:Trybut]] [[pt:Tributo]] [[ru:Дань]] [[simple:Tribute]] [[sv:Tribut]] [[th:Tribute]] [[uk:Данина]] [[zh:朝贡体系]]