Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Education in ancient Rome wikipedia , lookup
Roman historiography wikipedia , lookup
Food and dining in the Roman Empire wikipedia , lookup
Promagistrate wikipedia , lookup
Sino-Roman relations wikipedia , lookup
History of the Roman Constitution wikipedia , lookup
Early Roman army wikipedia , lookup
Culture of ancient Rome wikipedia , lookup
Rome (TV series) wikipedia , lookup
The Roman Empire and Han China Similarities between Rome & Han Big Picture • This will give a greater sense of World History, but they weren’t the only significant classical societies. • They were similar in some basic achievements. • A focused comparison will give a greater sense of what classical governments did. Similarities between Rome & Han • Han China 202 BCE – 220 CE • Roman Empire 27 BCE – 476 CE 200 100 0 100 200 300 HAN ROME 422 yrs 503 yrs 400 500 Similarities between Rome & Han • Both ruled large masses of territory in an orderly fashion for a considerable amount of time: population was similar, a little more than 50 million. 55 25 15 52 Million 35 54 Million 45 Han Rome 5 Similarities between Rome & Han • Both empires had clearly emphasized territorial expansion before the advent of the regimes. Similar Economic Integration 1. Han continued building canals and road systems to link the major parts of the empire, that allowed specialization and trade among the major regions. Similar Economic Integration 2. Rome built a system of roads that linked the provinces in order to facilitate movement of armies and trade goods, especially grains for food. Political Integration Similarities • Han combined certain devices to rule their vast empire. 1. Han dynasty worked to further Confucian thought as a means to instill values in the elite, and possibly, other classes. 2. Emperors continued the tradition of emphasizing of their divine majesty, including processions and displays. 3. Han introduced the first bureaucracy with representatives in the provinces. Political Integration Similarities • Rome combined certain devices to rule their vast empire. 1. Roman writers were eager praise emperors and imperial system 2. Rome didn’t assert divinity of emperors, but surpassed Han in triumphal processions and imperial monuments. 3. Rome developed a more rudimentary bureaucracy than Han, but placed great emphasis on rule of law. Government Systems • Both systems expanded the function of government, using their powers of bureaucracy and taxation. • Both governments were actively engaged in economic activity designed to ensure a stable social and political order. Differences Even the differences between these two systems seem to fall within a context of remarkable similarities. Integration of Vast Territory • The Chinese used colonization to integrate the territory 1. The Middle Kingdom of China was the scene of major ethnic mixing and division. 2. The Han Dynasty planted large colonies of northern Chinese in the south. 3. Han required Mandarin language at elite and bureaucratic levels. Integration of Vast Territory • Rome planted colonies of soldiers to foster Roman lifestyle in remote places 1. Rome maintained loose control over provinces and relied on local control. 2. Romans emphasized the expansion of Roman citizenship. 3. Romans encouraged the use of Latin in upper class, but Greek was the predominate language. Surviving Cessation of Expansion • Han pushed the boundaries of empire out, but when it reached a sustainable point, didn’t feel the need to continue to expand. • Rome needed additional territory to reward generals and soldiers. • Han used few slaves. • Rome needed to expand to provide a continuing supply of slaves to the labor system. Surviving Cessation of Expansion • Han sought to expand the cultural ideas of Confucianism and saw war as a last resort. • Rome was highly militaristic and used war and power for expansion and assimilation. • Rome more clearly began to decline when it reached a point at which expansion became impossible, after about 180 C.E. Cultural Differences • Han dynasty focused on Confucianism. • Rome focused on civic religion. • In Han China, Buddhism began to draw attention in the later stages and would surge forward after the dynasty collapsed. • In Rome, increasing numbers of people converted to Christianity, especially after Constantine made it the national religion. Decline and Fall • Both empires began to fade as the quality of emperors declined. • Both faced invasions from Central Asia and elsewhere. • Both suffered economic stagnation and disease that reduced the population. Decline and Fall • Once western Roman Empire fell in 476 C.E., the empire would be remembered and borrowed from by later regimes, but would never be reborn. • The Han dynasty was destroyed, but its institutions and achievements were revived by later regimes.