Age of Empires: Rome & Han China 753 BCE-600 CE

1. Age of Empires: Rome &Han China753 BCE-600 CE

2. Imperial Rome and Han China • Both lasted approximately 400 years • Both had populations of about 50 million

3. Rome Han China Natural protections-relative isolation Large landmass River systems, plateau, deserts, mnts North China plain-fertile but required extensive irrigation • Natural protections-central location • Able to utilize manpower resources of Italy • Mediterranean=“Roman Lake” • Hilly, fertile arable land • Many navigable rivers

4. Origins of Empire Han China built on earlier imperial traditions started by the Qin and Zhou Rome built on aristocratic landlords expanding out from a city-state

5. Government Rome Han China Dynastic Mandate-Emperor was “Son of Heaven” Well organized bureaucracy founded on Confucian ideas & traditions-used local officials Emperor promulgated the law Military & civilian conscription Built extensive road system for military but also spread commerce and culture Enemies on borders Adopted Confucianism Used Confucian scholars as government officials • 1st ruled by Kings, then republican oligarchy • Augustus set model for Emperor- established Principate-a military dictatorship-cult of emperor • Well organized bureaucracy founded on Roman law & classical learning-used local officials • “Standing Army”- best trained, best fed • Slave labor • Built extensive road system for military but also spread commerce & culture • Enemies on borders • 1st persecuted then adopted Christianity

6. Politics Rome Han China No idea of citizenship Law promulgated by Emperor • Citizenship • Laws established by “Twelve Tables”

7. Militarism: Both emphasized territorial expansion Roman Empire Han China Perceived threats to security led to wars and conquests, which only increased the length of borders and led to more perceived threats…which led to more conquests…

8. Economic Ancient Rome Han China Agriculture-Gentry-large estates owned by wealthy Significant population growth Agriculture directed by government; monopolies on iron, salt Received revenue from percentage of annual harvest Merchants & peasants paid taxes in coin cash & land taxes with portion of crop • Agriculture-”latifundia”-large estates owned by wealthy • Significant slave labor • Received revenue from percentage of annual harvest • Degree of economic mobility for middle classes

9. Rome Han China Merchants: Itinerant, large scale, traveled extensively, often wealthy, special privileges Merchants: marketplace-low status Unprecedented growth in commerce industry tributary exchanges w/ foreign countries Coin currency Government owned shops that competed with itinerant merchants to reduce their economic power • Merchants were 2nd rate occupation • Trade flourished: “PaxRomana” • Silk, spices • Coin Currency

10. Urbanization Rome Han China Chang’an & Luoang Model for other cities Prominent marketplace Wealth derived from private commerce, new trade routes, handicraft industries Prominent marketplaces • Rome • Model for other cities • Prominent marketplace: Forum • Wealth derived from conquest • Colosseum, Pantheon, Hippodrome, Baths

11. Technology Rome Han China Roads, canals, Great Wall Astronomical observations Watermills Horse collar Paper, crossbow trigger Early seismometer • Roads, bridge-building, ballistic weapons • elevated & underground aqueducts • arches & domes • amphitheaters • sewage systems • concrete

12. Integrating the empires Infrastructure: • Massive road building projects linked crucial parts of the empires • Roads facilitated communication, economic activity, access to resources, movement of military • Rome – invented concrete & engineered feats like aqueducts Yep – that’s a Roman Road, still around today. Looking good after 2,000 years.

13. Mechanisms for Political Integration: China • Confucianism identified principles necessary for political &social order • Emphasized emperors’ divine majesty, links to Heaven, morality through correct ritual (ancestor veneration • Developed a sophisticated bureaucracy with gov’t officials in provinces (staffed by middle class) • Imperial Academy &exam system meant ALL areas of China were cohesive & Confucian

14. Mechanisms for Political Integration: Rome • Bureaucracy less complex than Han – relied on local elites & middle class to control provinces • Greater emphasis on law codes- common legal system • Monuments &triumphal processions played up glory of empire & rulers • Cult of deceased Emperors

15. Citizenship & Colonies: China • Large colonies of ethnically Han (northern) Chinese planted in newly conquered territories • Use of Mandarin language required by elites & bureaucrats • Ideology of Confucianism enforced by the central authority

16. Citizenship & Colonies: Rome • Colonies were military outposts-not intended for population integration • Latin encouraged but never took over Greek in East (people STILL looked up to Greek culture) • Expansion of Roman citizenship given for army service • Loose control-more local autonomy

17. Imperial Power Both systems expanded functions of government Used bureaucracy &taxation to provision major cities & increased coercion with military Both governments actively engaged in economic activity designed to ensure stability Han=monopoly on salt & iron Rome=“Bread and Circuses”

18. Territorial Expansion Imperial Han China Imperial Rome More militaristic Needed additional territory as source of wealth & to pay soldiers Needed continuing supply of slaves for labor system Latin language helped unify Provided opportunity for Roman citizenship • Pushed boundaries far beyond Qin homeland, but when reached sustainable point, did not feel need to compensate for cessation of expansion • Labor force not reliant on slavery – peasant population made constant expansion less necessary • Chinese script helped unify

20. Family & Society Rome Han China Basic unit of society=family Emphasis on family ancestors-”filial piety” Family hierarchy reflected in society Ancestors played active role in everyday life Reliance on landowning gentry • Basic unit of society=the family • Paterfamilias exercised absolute authority • High status males elicited obedience • Ancestors/family name important • Inequality accepted, institutionalized • Reliance on patricians • Patron-client relationships-system of mutual benefit & obligation

21. Role of Women Rome Han China Patriarchal-expected to be obedient Quality of life depended on economics Status & authority depended on society Royal women could be very influential-Empress Dowager could over-ride decisions of Emperor • Patriarchal • No public role • Unable to own property or represent self in legal matters • Depended on male guardians • Less constrained than Greek Women • Over time, gained rights & protections • Some women very influential

22. Religious/ Philosophical Systems • Early, both focused on rituals & themes to instilled loyalty to empire- neither intensely spiritual • Both exposed to new religions late in Classical Period (Buddhism in China, Christianity in Rome) • Both incorporated elements of respective beliefs as methods of political control

23. Religion/Philosophical Systems Rome (Paganism-Christian) Han China (Shamanistic-Confucian) Divination Cult of Ancestors Nature Spirits Yin/Yang FengShui Confucianism-rituals & relationships Daoism-questioned tradition-rejected hierarchy Buddhism-syncretized as it spread to China • Divination • Polytheistic-adopted Greek gods • Calendar revolved around religious festivals • Invisible forces called“numina” • Rituals sacrifices to maintain Paxdeorum-”peace of gods” • Christianity suppressed then adopted as state religion

24. Decline & Fall Rome Han China Conflict within ruling elites Peasant rebellions Generals usurped power=warlords-divide into 3 kingdoms Northern nomads • Internal conflicts in military • Rivalries & divisions of authority due to vast size • Division of Empire into East and West • Christianity undermined traditional values

25. Decline of Imperial Rome and Han China • Overexpansion led to invasions by nomadic pastoralists • Tax based weakened as land (wealth) was concentrated into fewer hands-paid less in taxes • Decline in morals/values • Urban decay=Decline in public health • Political corruption • Unemployment; inflation • Military spending • Lack of technological innovation • Western Roman cultural elements died out with the empire: change • Han dynasty was destroyed, but its institutions and traditions were revived by later dynasties: continuity

26. Why Was China Revived and Rome Not? • No Roman equivalent of Confucianism—no method or idea of political organization and social conduct that could survive the breakdown of the Roman state • Dynasties come & go, but Confucianism continues • Roman culture blended with Germanic to create new traditions • Many Roman characteristics continued into Byzantine Empire: law, Christianity, & military organization, etc.