Europa ,from its early days, had been successfully ruled by an empire that stretched from northern Africa, across Greece, and ending in India. This is slightly before the whole of Europa and the middle east is captured by this very empire. Alexander III of Macedon first establish this empire almost 1000 years before the ASU revolution or World war I.
During the 800's (as the 3rd age inhabitants know it) the great empire stretched across most of Africa, all of the middle east, Europa itself, and Mongolia.Though technically Africa is and has always been it's own governing empire it is considered part of Europa until the late 1700's. In spite of neighboring this vast territory the remainder of Asia stayed relatively its own domain. This was in large part due to the construction of the great wall that stretches to both eastern and western coast of china. Allowing the eastern forces to overcome an invasion in 862 and leading to the addition of the Mongolian provinces to the Europa empire.
As you noticed Alexander is born much later in the universe of 351 than in our own where he is born in the early 300's BC. This is precisely how he survives his crippling disease as science is far more advanced in this new era. Allowing him to father generations of heirs that rule Europa into modern day (though in the modern era Alexei of Macedon poses as a figure head while still holding absolute power). Before Alexander Europa was ruled by a monarchy that was slowly conquering neighboring territories. With a growing threat of Greece and what would have become the catholic empire had it not been for the "Crusades" in the early 700's BC; Almost 400 years before they occur in the known universe. The crusades released the Rakash ancestors, from the 1st age, emerged from the expedition site of a holy ARK and they ravaged the land from center parts of Europa to the vast desserts of the middle east. Giving rise to the folklore of were-wolfs, vampires, demons, and many other myths that persist till the middle age. Mind you this means that aside from a handful of creatures Europa had never interacted with a predatory mammal. The new inhabitant was released free in a world that didn't know it or it's weakness. The conflicts raged til the late 700's ending at the city of Jerusalem where the rakash horde was finally disbanded.