Transcript Roman Empire and Han Dynasty

Roman Empire and
Han Dynasty
A Short Comparison
World History
Roman Empire
Han Dynasty
Characteristics
Han China
Well organized
bureaucracy based
upon Confucian
ideas and education
Roman Empire
Well organized
bureaucracy
founded on Roman
law and
classical
learning
Characteristics
Han Imperial
Universities
In Xi’an a university of
Confucian study was
founded.
An exam was created to
evaluate anyone who felt
knowledgeable enough
to take it and become a
bureaucrat.
Unfortunately, only the
wealthy had time to study
enough.
Roman Education
Founded on Greek
Principles.
Wanted strong,
healthy, religious
and responsible
citizen.
A free slave opened
the first private
school in ancient
Rome.
Characteristics
Han China
Emphasis on Family
ancestors: patriarchical
Reliance on landed
gentry
Engineering
accomplishments:
roads, canals, the Great
Wall
Roman Empire
Emphasis on family:
pater familias
Reliance on patricians
Engineering
accomplishments:
roads, aqueducts,
amphitheatres, domes,
sewage systems,
central heating
Characteristics
Grand Canal
Roman Roads
Characteristics
Great Wall
Roman Aqueduct
Characteristics
Han China
Religion:
Confucianism,
Daoism, native
gods, intro to
Buddhism
Roman Empire
Religion:
Emperor as god,
paganism, intro
to Christianity
Both Buddhism and Christianity are
considered new superseding religions that
reformed and surpassed a former religion
with historical ties.
Decline of Han Dynasty
Infighting among ruling elites
Inequitable distribution of land - tax burden
fell on peasants rather than on large
landowners
Series of peasant rebellions
Yellow Turban Rebellion: Wore yellow scarves on
heads, Taoists angry with landowning elite.
Generals usurp political power - become
warlords
Decline of Han Dynasty
220 CE generals divide empire into
three kingdoms.
Emigration of nomadic peoples into N.
China kept country disunited
Decline of Roman Empire
Internal opposition - barrack emperors
Difficulties in administering vast empire
creates rivalries and divisions of
authority
Eastern and Western Empire - capital
moved to Constantinople
Decline of Roman Empire
Germanic invasions by Vandals,
Ostrogoths, and Visigoths
476 Odacer deposes final Western
Roman Emperor
Eastern Roman Empire becomes
Byzantine Empire - lasts another 1000
years
Shared Characteristics
Decline in Morals and Values
Decline in those values that have upheld
this particular society together
Public Health and Urban Decay
Political Corruption
Unemployment and Inflation
Inferior technology
Military Spending
Evaluate…
What factors allowed them to last over
400 years?
Are there any lessons we can take from
their rise, rule, and fall?