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Download The Roman Empire and Han China: A close comparison
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Transcript
A close comparison Both lasted approximately 400 years Both had population of about 50 million Han China built on earlier imperial traditions started by the Qin and Zhou Rome was built on controlling aristocratic landlords and a certain element of democracy Roman Empire Han China Massive road building projects linked crucial parts of the empires Roads facilitated communication, economic activity, access to resources, and movement of military. Confucianism identified principles necessary for political and social order Emphasized the emperors divine majesty Developed a sophisticated bureaucracy with gov representatives in the provinces Literature – writers were eager to sing the praises of the emperor and the imperial system Bureaucracy less complex than Han, but greater emphasis on the legal system Monuments and triumphal processions played up the glory and grandeur of the empire itself and its rulers • Both systems expanded the functions of government, using considerable powers of bureaucracy and taxation to provision major cities. • Both governments were actively engaged in a certain level of economic activity designed to ensure a stable social and political order. Large colonies of northern Chinese were planted in newly conquered territories Use of Mandarin language required by the elite and bureaucrats and pushed heavily on all classes Colonies were smaller, basically military outposts not intended for population integration Latin was encouraged but never supplanted Greek in the east Expansion of Roman citizenship was emphasized Rome was content to establish looser control on provinces and rely on local autonomy Imperial Rome Han China Pushed boundaries far beyond Middle Kingdom, but when the Han Empire reached a large geographical area, Had difficulty maintaining large land border did not feel the need to continue expansion Stopped expansion Rome’s appetite for expansion was unbounded A more militaristic culture Romans needed additional territory to reward generals and soldiers They needed a continuing supply of slaves for their labor system Rome began to fade after 180 CE when expansion became impossible Rome’s literature, art, and architecture was derived from the Greeks Classical China was more creative in the area of technology (e.g. gunpowder) Han emphasized Confucianism and Rome’s emphasis was on civic religion Both emphases called attention to rituals and themes that would bring loyalty to the empire, but neither was intensely spiritual Both are exposed to new religions late in the Classical Period Military was encouraged by both, but more so by Rome Rome known for tight discipline and organization of the infantry known as the legions China known more for military philosophy: Sun Tzu’s The Art of War still considered one of the great works on military strategy Han Rome corrupt thinking, and inability to continue tax collections A series of weak/incompetent emperors and invasions Once the western portion of Roman empire falls it will be remembered and borrowed from but never restored Rome dynasty was destroyed, but its institutions and traditions were revived by later regimes corrupt thinking, and inability to continue tax collections rich land owners grew more powerful by buying there own private armies and avoiding taxes Living conditions and life for the peasantry was getting worse, and the rich land owners grew more powerful by buying there own private armies and avoiding taxes. The peasants finally revolted