Transcript Aim: Did the Nile help shape the history of Ancient Egypt? Do Now

Similarities
Founding of
empire
Differences
Han China
Imperial Rome

Both emerged in

similar time period
and grew to be similar
land area and
population
Chinese had

previous
centralized states
and were familiar
with this type of
political system
(Xia, Shang,
Zhou, Qin)
Roman empire
was a new
concept to this
area of world
(Europe)

Both took over land
brutally and strongly
depended on military

Chinese

expansion of land
was rapid (short
lived Qin had
doubled China’s
size)
More emphasis
on maintaining
borders than
expanding (Great
Wall existed from
beginning b/c

already large
size)
Warring state to
unified state
Roman
expansion of
land much
slower; grew
largely during
republic phase
(Hadrian’s
Wall built
during empire
stage)


City-state to
unified state
Similarities
Consolidation
of power
Differences
Han China
Imperial Rome

Both ruled over large
land areas



Both used public
works such as roads,
bridges, canals, and
walls to aid in
expansion process
Great Wall in China
and Hadrian’s Wall in
Britain




Both were guided by
supernatural (Roman
emperors seen as gods 
and Chinese emperors
seen as Son of Heaven
and guided by
Mandate of Heaven)

Land empire

Chinese empire
mostly composed 
of Chinese. In
addition, they
assimilated many
non-Chinese).
Chinese language
and ideology
(Confucianism)
provided unity
Chinese
Confucianism
emphasized
trained officials;
civil service exam
ensured this
Strong
bureaucracy
(government
workers)
Filial piety:
family was a
model for state




Land and sea
empire
Roman empire
was very
diverse
(Romans were
in the
minority).
Romans did
not culturally
assimilate its
people.
While Latin
was language
of empire,
many in east
spoke Greek
No unifying
ideology
Romans relied
on elaborate
laws instead
Strong
aristocracy
Similarities
Collapse of
empire




Both empires became 
too big and expensive
to maintain; poverty
overtook the majority
of people

Both experienced
political instability and
foreign invasions
Both experienced
decline in cities, trade
and population
Both experienced a
period of chaos and

disorder upon collapse
Differences
Han China
Imperial Rome
Division of China 
into three
kingdoms after
collapse
Collapse was
followed by
decentralization,
however China

later regroups
into several more
centralized
empires
Peasant rebellion
(Yellow Turban) 
also contributed
to collapse
Division of
Rome prior to
collapse (east
survived and
became
Byzantine
Empire)
Western
Europe never
really had a
successful
large scale
empire again
Decentralized
feudal system



Need to address both similarities and
differences.
Can express this in more than one
sentence.
This is the bulk of your introduction.

Give some background / characteristics of
the civilizations

Thesis statement



Great starting/transition words - “While”/
“Despite”/ “Although”/ “However”
Thesis must incorporate all parts of the
prompt question and a time period (if given)
A good thesis “lights the way” and provides a
travel direction for the rest of the essay


YOU CAN NEVER SAY… “THERE WERE
MANY SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES
BETWEEN THESE TWO CIVILIZATIONS”
Thesis must be more specific in stating how
they were similar and different

The Han Empire and Roman Empire had
many similarities and differences.
 NOT ACCEPTED!!!!

The Han and Roman Empires were both
large, centralized states that exerted
tremendous control over the people they
ruled. However, varying ideologies and past
experiences led to Han China having a more
unified and cohesive political system than the
Romans.

Provides an overview of what will be
discussed in the paragraph