Prompt 2: Shang Dynasty and the Roman Empire Primary Sources Historians depend on textual, artistic, and archaeological evidence to create narratives about various historical cultures. By analyzing primary sources, historians can determine what type of society existed, what forms of government were in power, and even what society held to high standards, such as honor. Certainties about the Roman Empire, in Europe, experiencing civil unrest, eventual re-installment of the Republic, and expectation of its citizens are supported by the primary source, “The Rape of Lucretia.” Alternatively, certainties about the Shang Dynasty, in East Asian, utilizing religion and politics together to determine natural phenomenons in life are supported by the primary source, “Shang Oracle Bones.” Ultimately, primary sources give a pretty clear and reliable picture as to how society functioned during the time periods that are being studied. The primary source, “The Rape of Lucretia” written in 17 AD by Roman historian named Livy, who authored The History of Rome. The story is a form of propaganda that criticized the Roman monarchy while encouraging the reinstatement of the Roman Republic. The narrative depicts the rape of an honorable woman named Lucretia, who was admired for her humble, modest, hospitable, and dutiful nature. Tragically, she was raped by one of the emperor’s sons, Sextus Tarquinius. After she confides in her husband, father, and family friend Brutus about the Sextus’s crime
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.
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
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,
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
The frameworks for political control utilized by the Han and Imperial Roman Empires were remarkable, as in the level of subject energy for government by prudence of how every space used it to control the comprehensive group. Regardless, the use of speculations to legitimize run was a relative technique utilized by the two areas since it engaged pioneers to influence the comprehensive group in a greater number of courses than one. Likewise, the utilization of militaries to control the general population and periphery spaces was a relative framework in light of the way that the areas were so tremendous and distinctive that power was depended upon to control individuals. The Romans and the Han had specific perspectives on government and who
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.
When comparing Han China and Roman Empire, many political, geographical, and religious similarities can be found, though many differences are also prevalent. 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 downfalls. Their religions differed immensely, 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 economy during this era?
"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,
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.
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.
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 both have created inventions that have inspired the modern world, and created impressive innovations and processes that advanced their primitive societies in the ancient world. Both civilizations worked tirelessly to create innovative solutions to the problems they had, or to advance their cities in a way they felt could not be replicated. Each city had their own view on how these inventions should be created and ran. The Romans created aqueducts and invented the arch, to be used in architecture to withstand heavy buildings, and a road system that connected the entirety of the Roman Empire. The Han created paper and compasses, spread further the trade of silk and the silk road, and inspired
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.