Shang Dynasty And The Roman Empire Primary Sources

The Han Dynasty and the Roman Empire were two grand empires that rose out of preexisting territories and provided relative peace over wide areas. The collapse of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE), which was the first great land-based empire in East Asia, came after a period of war, confusion, and tyrannical rule. Due to the political disorder that stemmed from the early dynastic activity, the emergence of the Han Dynasty (206 BCE- 228 CE) sprung to focus on restoring order. On the other hand, the rise of the Roman Empire (44 BCE- 476 CE) originated from consolidating authority over aristocratic landlords and overriding the democratic elements of the earlier Republic. Instead, the Roman Empire redefined the concept of “citizen” as subjects to

When someone hears about the Chinese empire and the Roman empire they often do not think that they have similarities; however, that is not the case. Both of these empires have various similarities along with differences. Each empire was unique and individual in many ways but were similar in many aspects such as religious policies, public works projects, the army, and the role of the emperor.

The Roman Empire is still known today as one of history’s most powerful period. Rome government had stick rules and policies. The Roman government at this point was known as the Roman Republic. The Roman Republic was controlled by the roar Rome. Bureaucracy was ran throughout the region, but Rome did not want this nor could they afford it. However, they did allow small cities to run a lower level of government. The exercise of indirect rule thus became a basic principle of imperial government. The business of local administration and jurisdiction was delegated to the existing communities of city or tribe. This type of structure was deemed to be a weakness to some historians because of the consequences. Consequences that allow a third level government to enforce the emperor’s rules. Because of the expansion of the territory, this was the only reasonable way for it to function normally. The empire was a "commonwealth of cities" which acted as economic and cultural of the Roman world and were integrated into the administrative system as local foci of government. This imperial ruling was first implemented by Rome. It came about because of social trends and not the Roman strategic policies that was often changed by Romanized upper class citizens. These upper classman brought about firmness throughout the land with their strategic and educated planning.

Classical Chinese Empires and the Roman Empire were massive Empires that both became some of the most well known Empires in the world. The Romans were set out to conquer the lands of Europe and take anyone out in their path. The Chinese Dynasties lasted for a 4,000 year span of many Emperors like the Zhou Dynasty, Qin Dynasty and Han Dynasty. They both had a reason on why they lasted so long, Rome were very serious for their army because when you got to the age of 7 you were sent to an extensive army camp which you would stay until you are 18. China had their Innovation and trade. For example the Han Dynasty were lucky enough to use the silk roads which got them tons of silk to trade to other empires. The Qin Dynasty had some of the first modern roads so they can travel with ease.

The Han Dynasty and Roman Empire both ruled for considerably long periods, spanning over four centuries around the same time. The Zhou Dynasty, an early Chinese empire, ruled to around the beginning of the Han Dynasty. Their government was based on feudalism; this giving power to the rich in their society. Overextension led to the fall of their rule, leading to the rise of Confucianism and Legalism. These beliefs along with Taoism led to the warring states period, these views leading to the start of the Qin Dynasty and then to the Confucianist Han Dynasty. Like the beginning of the Han Dynasty, the Roman Empire began with nobility rule. A difference would be that the Roman Republic's fall had more to do with the tension between the classes. This leading to Julius Caesar's rule, like Qin Shi Huangdi the Emperor of the Qin Shi Dynasty. Caesar's assassination lead to the rise of the Roman Empire. The beginning of their regions early powers began around the same period and spanned for around the same length, this provided for similarities between the two, such as tension between classes, and expansion of their trade routes, a difference being the succession of leaders in both of their governments.

"The study of world history is an exhilarating project that offers unparallel opportunity to understand oneself and one's own society in relation to the larger world" (Bently xvii). Indeed, world history is an exciting and interesting topic. The textbooks seem to get more in depth and detailed with every new year. But how exactly do historians get all of the material to make these textbooks? What do they base their facts on? In order to learn new information and facts about the societies in textbooks, historians must literally "go back to the source." Primary sources from ancient civilizations and societies such as creation myths, stone tablets,

Analyze similarities and differences in methods of political control in two of the following empires from 600 BCE to 600 CE (Han China, Mauryan/Gupta India, Imperial Rome).

Noah Saleh Mrs. Chadderdon WHAP 4th Hour 12 October 2014 WHAP Comparative Essay In the history of ancient civilizations on Earth, there has been a variety of tested methods of political control, some deeming to have excellent outcomes, and for others, the opposite. Imperial Rome and Han China, both ruling during the Classical period, utilised specific organisation of power, and to great success. Although the Roman empire and Han dynasty both shared similarities in holding an empirical position, the use of defensive walls, and military strength, they also possessed various differences.

During the first and second century many new technologies were invented and improved in the Roman Empire and Han Dynasty. The Han Dynasty was originally quite supportive of new technology and their engineers. Rome on the other hand was initially opposed to engineers as expressed when Cicero a Roman political leader said, “All craftsmen spend their time in vulgar occupations; no workshop can have anything enlightening about it” (Document 2). Regardless of these denouncements as time advanced Rome embraced these new technologies. The Romans utilized aqueducts and a system of building roads. The Han Dynasty seemed to always encourage and use the technology of their engineers. The Han embraced systems of flood prevention as well as improved mortar and pestles that could be used to increase food productivity by husking and dehulling grain (Wikipedia). Regardless of how each society observed new technology both societies created new machines and techniques that benefited the common folk. Also, both societies were in states or relative peace during this time of

Both Han China and Imperial Rome lasted approximately 400 years and spent many of those years expanding their empire through many similar and different methods of political control. For example a similarity between the two empires was that they both were patriarchal and saved political roles for men. A difference between the two empires was that both of their governments were structured differently, Han China’s structure was based on Confucianism values, as Rome emphasized a legal system. Both Han China and Imperial Rome had strong political control which led to their growth two of the greatest empires in the Classical Age. They grew at their own pace, but they shared similar methods of political control.

With powerful militaries, vast amounts of territory, and millions of people of diverse cultures and roles operating under an organized civil bureaucracy, the Han Dynasty and ancient Rome were truly empires of great power and influence in Afro-Eurasia between 300 BCE to 300 CE. While the methods of gaining the position of globalizing empires were similar for the two empires, the social obligations possessed by the people of various social classes differed for the empires, leading to contrasting perspectives towards the empires’ governments. ALTHOUGH THE HAN DYNASTY AND ANCIENT ROME WERE BOTH EMPIRES OF IMMENSE POWER, LAND, AND INFLUENCE SUSTAINED BY PEOPLE OF ALL SOCIAL CLASSES, THE SOCIAL EXPECTATIONS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE RULERS, SOLDIERS,

Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD) expanded much like the Roman Republic (509 BC- 27 AD) and both profitable in the process. Both relied on taxes levied and slaves for manual labor to support the economy. The Roman Republic did not have lineage when it came how to “rule” like the Hans and their predecessors. The Hans ruled with an aristocracy and the Roman Republic had a bureaucracy, but both focused on having a strong military. The two empires were both affected by religion, the Hans with Confucianism, which they would adapt in order the reaffirm their “hold” on their people. The Roman Republic was affected by Christianity, however its communication amongst its believers challenged Roman authority.

The Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty reached unprecedented levels of progress by controlling equally vast lands and territories, utilizing ecological, economic and human resources, and consolidating power by the unification of their regimes under a common legal and cultural framework.  The Roman Empire stretched from the present day British Isles to the present day Iraq and lasted five hundred years from 27 BC to 467 AD.  The Han Dynasty dominated Asia from the Korean Peninsula to present day Vietnam and endured for over four hundred years from 206 BC to 220 AD.  The Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty were among the most advanced civilizations of the ancient world, prevailing over their respective areas, experiencing a higher standard of

Peasants became more and more agitated with the state of Han China as more of them became severely indebted to rich landowners due to heavy taxation. The only way to survive became to sell their land to the wealthy and become tenant farmers.

The Roman and the Chinese Dynasty were two existing entities that were separate and never had relations with each other basically because for the great distance that set them apart. Despite the considerable distance and lack of association, the two dynasties experienced common factors in their existence ranging from unrests that led to their fall. Both empires rose with many challenges and operated with some resistances that involved fighting off its enemies. The empires were strong until some factors led to their fall at different times of history. The paper compares the factors that surrounded the fall of the two empires and at the same time finds the various factors between the two empires.