Final answer:
Historical empires shared common features such as extensive trade and conquest, flexible governance structures, and redistributive economic systems. They were dynamic entities often governing diverse populations and engaging in international diplomacy.
Step-by-step explanation:
When examining the empires described in historical texts, several common features can be identified. Among them, one of the most pervasive was the engagement in extensive trade and conquest, as mentioned in the context of Asian, European, and Muslim empires expanding their control and trading routes. Empires like those in West Africa allowed incorporated kingdoms to retain some form of their original governance, indicating flexible governance structures and not strict uniformity in administrative practices.
Additionally, the concept of nation-states began to form in Europe, reflecting the shift from a sole focus on conquest to more politically cohesive units bound by common identity and governance. Moreover, these empires often controlled diverse territories with varying cultures and religions, suggesting that there was not a single unifying religion but rather an assimilation and tolerance of diverse practices.
The empires also utilized a redistributive economic system, often associated with the collection, storage, and redistribution of agricultural goods and engaging in military and diplomatic alliances. Therefore, choice (d) - that all empires engaged in extensive trade and conquest - appears to best describe a common feature of empires outlined in the chapter, incorporating elements of governance, economy, and military strategy.