CHINA and ROME

1
CHINA and ROME

• 200 BCE 200 CE

2
Historical Context

• Between 200 BCE and 200 CE, both China and Rome
  conquered expansive territories that made them
  the 2 leading empires of the world.
• China was unified by the Qin (Chin) Dyansty and
  the following Han Dyanasty expanded the
  boundaries to almost present day China.
• Rome expanded through most of modern day Europe
  and region surrounding the Mediterranean Sea
  including N. Africa and Egypt.
• In 400 years, each of these empires controlled
  about 2 million square miles and 60 million
  people.

3
CHINA

• Qin Dynasty led to Han Dyanasty.
• Han successors were more moderate, but used
  structures of Qin to create a larger and more
  durable empire.
• Confucianism resurfaces and greatly influences
  Han period hierarchy, obedience and family
  structure important.
• Technology and Trade flourished (ex Silk Road)
• Decline of Empire Political Fragmentation/Politic
  al Cultural Regression

4
ROME

• Didnt have a precedent to draw upon (like Han
  had Qin)
• Slow process Trial and Error to develop
• Republican form of govt developed to meet needs
  of Roman city-states, but proved inadequate to
  meet needs of huge empire.
• Roman Principate (military dictators) developed
  next.
• Trade and Technology vital to Empire
  (aqueducts/roads/inner-empire trade)
• Rise of Christianity as Rome conquered Eastern
  lands. Monotheism became more accepted.

5
Similarity Comparison/Conclusions

• Both rose from relatively small state, to a large
  system of connected cities/towns.
• Discipline and military toughness key to their
  rises.
• Technologies helped imperial control and fostered
  unification between cultures.
• Led to widespread territories under strong
  central governments.
• In the end, both succumbed to EXTERNAL pressures
  and INTERNAL divisions.

6
Differences Comparison and Conclusions

• Ideology China had Confucianism and embedded
  emphasis on hierarchy (family)while Rome did
  not.
• Individual mobility in society was more of an
  opportunity in Rome. (ex rights of individual)
• Roman rulers usually chosen by army or Senatenot
  dynastic cycle (Mandate of Heaven).
• Christianity prompted a break with the past,
  while as Buddhism flourished, it was more
  consistent with traditional values and beliefs.

7
2002 AP World Exam Question

• Which of the following is true of both the Roman
  Empire and the Han Empire?
• Both empires were heavily dependent on slave
  labor.
• Both empires were characterized by long periods
  of effective centralized governance.
• In both empires, administrative officials were
  selected by an elaborate system of competitive
  examinations.
• Both empires were ruled by wealthy merchant
  elites.