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Comparing/Contrasting Imperial Rome to Han China

Explore the similarities and differences between Imperial Rome and Han China in various aspects including geography, origins, imperialism, economics, technology, politics, culture, religion, and the decline of the empires. This analysis covers key points such as territorial size, economy, social structures, technological advancements, political systems, cultural developments, and the impact of external threats on the decline of both empires.

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Comparing/Contrasting Imperial Rome to Han China

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  1. Comparing/Contrasting Imperial Rome to Han China Similarities & Differences Using your SPECTS

  2. The Basics: • Han = 206 BCE – 220 CE • Roman Empire 27 BCE – 476 CE • Both lasted approx 400 years • Both had populations of 50 million • Similar size territory

  3. Geography • Rome had a large “inland” sea (Mediterranean) for ease of trade and travel. Well constructed roads made land travel and communication possible. • China was a land based empire. River travel, canals, roads had to be built and maintained for transportation and communication. • Territorial size of both was approx. 2.5 million at their peak • Territorial size of Rome was ultimately restricted by deserts (N. Africa/Middle East) and European mountains (Alps) • Han’s territorial size was limited by the Tibetan Plateau, western deserts (Gobi, Taklimakan), mountains (Himalayas, Tian Shan)

  4. Origins • Han built off precedents of many previous dynasties Shang, Xhou, Qin • Rome built an empire “more from scratch”; some based on Greeks

  5. Imperialism • Both were imperialistic but Rome far more so • Militarism • Both were threatened by nomadic invaders. Conquered territories under imperial control. • Rome paid it’s soldiers with conquered land and captured wealth. Resulted in greater incentive to use military. Constantly sought to expand. Local leaders often remained in control under Roman supervision.

  6. Economic • Both economies were based on agriculture • Land was highly valued • Governments imposed taxes for revenue • Both standardized weights and measures, monopolized key resources i.e. salt, iron • China relied on peasants to do labor • Rome relied on slave labor (captives from war) up to 1/3 of pop. • Wealth more concentrated in small landowning population. Forced peasants to live in urban areas. Need for slave labor on latifundia.

  7. Technology • Road building important to both. Roman roads were marvels of engineering. Facilitated trade, travel, military travel • Roman aqueducts, for irrigation, water delivery • Roman construction/architecture = monumental, grandeur • Chinese construction/architecture = practical, defensive, transportation

  8. Political • China • Confucianism, Mandate of Heaven, Civil Service Exam (some social mobility), emphasize homogeneous culture • Ritual ancestor veneration, ceremonial, educated gentleman class (Junzi), Ren, Li, Xiao

  9. Rome • Less centralized, built by overlaying Roman law over local rulers and laws • Rome prided itself on establishing peace and rule of law through expansion • Venerated emperors “cult of worship”

  10. Culture • China • Focused on homogeneous culture building largely through Confucianism, promoting ethnically Han language, sending out bureaucratic officials to enforce • Rome • Looser, more diverse, cosmopolitan • More local autonomy, local leadership, greater diversity of language • Roman citizenship granted common rights

  11. Culture • Patriarchal • Eldest male/father most respected, authoritative • China: family was model of gov’t organization i.e. emperor was “father” – Confucian ideology • Rome – emperor is not viewed as father figure; he is a god • Paterfamilias

  12. Religion • Outside religion moves into each region • China = Buddhism in later Han • Rome = Christianity • In both places the new religion is not officially welcomed. Through syncretism both gain mass conversions and official acceptance • Both are salvation religions i.e. seek to eternal life, heaven, nirvana etc…

  13. Decline of Empires • Rome and China • Threatened by outside invasions of nomadic (aka barbarian) forces related to the Huns • Both are weakened from overexpansion = borders are too long/too expensive to defend • Weakness signals to citizens decay • China “right to rebel” • Rome - loss of support for Roman empire

  14. Differences in Decline • Rome = civilization and institutions collapse • Loss of Latin language = rise of vernacular • Loss of Roman numerals and measures • Loss of basis for legal culture • China • Although government falls, language, culture, institutions will remain or be revived

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