During the eighth century C.E., many of the rulers of Japan were


A. women.
B. commoners.
C. from the merchant class.
D. military strongmen

To determine the correct answer, let's break down the options and use some reasoning.

A. Women: In Japanese history, there have been several famous female rulers, such as Empress Suiko and Empress Kōken. However, during the eighth century, women rulers were not as prevalent as other options, so this answer is unlikely.

B. Commoners: Commoners generally do not hold ruling positions in hierarchical societies. In Japan's feudal system, rulership was reserved for the noble class, so this answer is also unlikely.

C. From the merchant class: While merchants played a significant role in Japan's economic development, they rarely obtained political power during this period. Therefore, this option is not the most plausible answer.

D. Military strongmen: During the eighth century, Japan experienced a period known as the Nara period, which was characterized by the domination of powerful military leaders called "daimyo." These military strongmen, also called "bushi," held great influence and often ruled over their territories. Given this historical context, the most likely answer is D. military strongmen.

Therefore, the correct answer is D. military strongmen.