The Han dynasty in China (206-220 CE) and the Roman Empire (31 BCE-476 CE) had similarities and differences in the methods used to maintain political control. Both Han china and Imperial Rome maintained political control through adapting previously established philosophies into the political system and by incorporating a patriarchal society. Whereas, they differed in whether the trade focused on exporting or importing, and how the each government quelled rebellions. The Han dynasty and Imperial Rome differed in where they focused in facilitating the trade, outside or inside of the empire. The Romans built roads throughout their empire for efficient trading inside of the empire, while the Han dynasty produced goods for export. Han China had a popular product that they exported-silk, which established the Silk roads and facilitated silk trade throughout Asia. This gave the government political control over the silk revenue. For Rome, the era of Pax Romana brought about the construction of 80,000 kilometers of road throughout the …show more content…
The Romans subdued potential uprisings of the poor by giving grain and public entertainment instead of addressing the poverty situation, While Wang Mang of the Han Dynasty tried to address the problem of land distribution directly. Increasing wealth in the Roman Empire threw off the social balance, which resulted in poverty for many. The government sought to keep the masses content with what they called “bread and circuses”, which was grain and public entertainment. In China, Emperor Wang Mang redistributed land to the landless in order to fix the problem of unevenly distributed land and to establish political control over the wealthy. The reason for this difference is that the imperial Roman authorities never reformed the urban policies, while Wang Mang tried to reform China’s urban
There were two major similarities between the Roman Empire and Han Dynasty. Both the Roman Empire and Han Dynasty were great empires that had large land areas under their control. Han China and the Roman Empire put a lot of effort into building and expanding their territories. The Han Dynasty expanded their territory further Qin boundary and Romans wanted more territory for military uses. They manufactured streets that helped with trade and built new buildings, pipes, and
Han Dynasty and Roman Empire have many cultural aspects including religious, geographical, and political similarities that can be compared, though many differences are also widespread during this era. Though Roman and Han political structures, both emphasized bureaucracies, they came to them quite differently. Through many amounts of expansion, both societies spread culture and earned money, though expansion was eventually their downfall. Their religions differed greatly, with Rome, emphasizing polytheism and Han China focusing on Confucianism. The differences and similarities between these two civilizations are to be discussed in this essay. One might ask, Which civilization yielded the best
Though they were both able to trade due to their expansions and coasts, Rome did much more trade than Han China. Also, due to this vastness, both societies’ cultures were spread all over the world (which led to other civilizations forming) and their economies were boosted (which led to better conditions for the people).
Most societies that developed in ancient civilizations were centered around some form of imperial administration and Imperial Rome (31 B.C.E.-476 C.E.) and Han China (206 B.C.E.-220 C.E.) were no different in this sense. Both civilizations had a network of cities and roads, with similar technologies that catalyzed cultural amalgamation and upgraded the standard of living, along with comparable organizational structures. Additionally, both civilizations had problems managing their borders and used similar tactics for defense. However, the Chinese Emperor was interpreted as a God while the Roman Emperor was a lugal, or big man, who had to fight not only to gain power, but to push through his initiatives. The similarities and differences
Although the foundation of both empires was built upon political integration, their organization of government differed. The Han Dynasty’s centralized power and administration was based on a bureaucratic system while the Roman Empire’s imperial power was based on a one-man sovereign. In order to improve Chinese society, which was under tyrannical rule under the Qin Dynasty, the Han Empire centralized their government with the synthesis between an imperial family and the new scholar-gentry class under a bureaucratic system. By securing power to overthrow the Qin Dynasty, Liu Bang provided lands to those military supporters who helped with the task. From the land grants given, the royal families and supporters were entitled
Empires on their outside may seem very different and unique. However, when you get down to their fundamentals, you begin to truly realize how similar they are. Just as the imposing pine tree and humble tomato plant may seem vastly different, their start from a lowly seed and craving for water and sunlight to survive unifies them. Such is also true with the Han and Roman empires. While key differences may be present, their social structures, influencing religions, and causes of collapse unify them.
In Rome Christianity was widely adopted, first by the people and then by the state. They believed that a Savior would come who was the Son of God, and he would save them from their sins. Alternatively, the Han Dynasty adopted Confucianism. This was not so much a religion as it was more a set of rules and guidelines for a person’s behavior, thoughts, and actions. They also fed their multiplying populations differently. Rome imported grain from Africa. Whereas, China built huge store houses, and filled them during years when there was plenty of food. Then when years of droughts and poor crops came, there was enough food to feed everyone. The economy was also kept stable during these years because they didn’t need to raise the price of grain, since they had stored away so much during the good years. These two countries differed in how they fed their populations because of their cities arrangements and as a result of their planning. Rome had very large cities with little room because there were so many people, which also meant there was no room to build store houses. Conversely, China built store houses early on and did not live in such close quarters with everyone else.
The Han Dynasty and the Roman Empire both had a great influence not only on its people but the world as a whole. The two had similar and different methods of political control. Both ruled their people under a bureaucracy, they had civil servants to maintain their large empires, and their foundations were made of great and strong rulers. Aside from the similarities they also had several differences. Take China for example, they focused more on Confucianism and they had a Mandate of Heaven. Rome on the other hand used entertainment to distract and control the masses of its population.
Both Rome and Han China equivalently constructed similar roads, bridges, and water development systems all to strengthen their economy. Verifications of this can be seen when Rome fully realized the potential of arches and bridges in their road systems that spanned more than 400,000 km of roads that were used for trade. Correspondingly, they also built aqueducts as a form of water engineering to constantly bring in a flow of water to the cities and towns. Similarly, Han China built massive fortified roadways for trade and walls for fortification comparable to the Great Wall of China as a means of defense. Also in comparison to Roman aqueducts, Han China built water canals as means to direct water as they pleased. These similarities defined their engineering skills as these inventions and constructions were used to help strengthen their economies. Rome built and constructed roads to aid their trade systems and make easier routes of travel. Furthermore, they used aqueducts to get water into the city saving money and the need for human labor. Similarly, Han China used their fortified roads to trade much easier and as a means of safer travel. This went hand in hand with China’s water canals that also aided their economy by directing water where needed saving much money and limiting the need for human labor as well.
Han dynasty emerged into power back in 221BCE after the fall of Qin dynasty 206BCE. They were the original pioneers when it comes to political systems and structure of the society that lasted more than 2000 years in China. On the other hand, the Roman Empire controlled the western Mediterranean and they had various advancements in technology and science. The Romans had different engineering accomplishments considered to be different from those of the Han kingdom. They formed the basis of the establishment of the western legal codes. This research is aimed towards analysis the similarities and the differences between the Han dynasty and the Roman Empire. The consequences of their differences are also analyzed in this research.
Both the Han Dynasty and the Roman Empire became massive empires and dominated their region for a long time. In addition, both of these empires also had large impact on the world and extremely influenced the development of human civilization. Even in the modern times, the Han Dynasty and the Roman Empire have been the major subjects of historians and scholars especially when dealing with the development of stable societies . Although both of these empires grew in massive size, their political, economic, social and religious developments are extremely different. The objective of this paper is to analyze and compare the Han Dynasty and the Roman Empire in terms of political, economic, social and religious developments. It also opts to evaluate their overall impact to their
Although Rome and Han China’s Emperor had similar roles, they were much different when it came to power and obtaining power.
Jacob Stauffer Steven Hill World Civ I 5/29/18 Roman and Han economy The way the economy works and that we live under today differs greatly compared to what Rome and China lived under. We’ve found ourselves using a similar structure of economy when it comes to agriculture, the use of roads, political systems, military, government etc. Early Rome and China both shared these similarities for survival and progression towards a stronger and revitalized economy. However, both empires shared a great number or similarities and differences when it came to social and political matters.
Classical Rome and China’s Political System (Rough Draft) During the classical age, both ancient china and Rome invested in public works and established similar foreign religious traditions. However, they both generated the idea of government growth differently and established different relationships with the societies they governed. Both Rome and china constructed public works in their empires.
The year, 200 BCE, marked an important date in history as it was the year that both Han China and Rome expanded from small states into large empires. The roots of Han China had begun way back before 200 BCE, when several tribes settled along the Yellow River. This settlement aloud for multiple groups to unite and become one civilization, under one ruler, with one belief system. From this small community, China has formed into one of the largest empires in the world today; all dating back to the first year in which the small state expanded into a large empire, 200 BCE. The Chinese based their agricultural beliefs on environmental determinism, and because of their agricultural success they expanded more than they had imagined. Similarly, Rome began their long ruling empire the same year, under similar circumstances. The beginnings of Rome are credited to the Latin culture; in 800 BCE, the Latins formed a small community which further led into small farming villages forming a civilization. Like China, Rome was ruled by one ruler, the Tarquins, which had been a wealthy family at that time. However, in the same year, Rome broke out from its small state setting and formed a large empire, and just like China, they believed in environmental determinism. Thus, they had such an impact on the world that they set a precedent for their own beliefs and strengthened their culture. Consequently, Han China and Rome have more in common than the year they began their success; each state saw