Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China 509 BC to 476 AD (CE)


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China 900 BCE: Rome too would develop a powerful empire and civilization which arose on the Italian peninsula. It’s central Mediterranean location was crucial.


Slide 3:Roman Civilization Rome Asia Minor Greece Carthage Egypt


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China 900 BC- The Italian peninsula was inhabited by the Latins. They were invaded by the Etruscans who brought advanced learning to the Latins. Etruscans were kicked out in 509 BC and the Latins set up the Roman Republic.


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China Republic: Government that is based on using representatives. The city of Rome, on the Tiber River, became the capital and gave its name to the civilization.


Slide 6:Rome and Han China (Minoa) Persia Indus Mesopotamia


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China Political Information: Two leaders called consuls. Law-making body called the Senate. All the representatives served in the Senate as “senators.” Most influential senators were from the upper class patrician order. In time of emergency one consul would emerge as a “dictator” temporarily. Social Information: Society was a hierarchy of: Patricians-wealthy landowners Equestrians- wealthy, lesser nobles Plebeians- soldiers, small farmers, craftsmen Slaves


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China Patricians originally wanted an oligarchy for ancient Rome whereas the plebeians wanted a democracy as in Greece. A compromise agreement called for a republic with a representative body for both groups.


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China The family unit was highly valued with the father figure (paterfamilias) as the head of the household (as in China). Unlike China, the family was not the model for the Roman Republic, i.e., no strict hierarchy with a leader in ancient Rome. The family, though, was a foundation of stability in Roman society.


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China Roman society was to be one based upon, and ruled by, law. Initially, the Twelve Tables was established as the basis for social and political legislation. They were an example of “civil law.” Civil Law: law that deal with the rights of an individual or society. As circumstances changed the Twelve Tables were elaborated upon.


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China Rome allowed for social mobility because it valued business and commerce. Good businessmen will naturally rise in status to a new social level. Slaves could be freed and rise to success. Different from other societies such as China.


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China Women ran businesses and managed their households. Noblewomen managed estates. Noblemen and noblewomen treated lower class men and women with contempt.


Slide 13:1st Century BCE: Roman carrying busts of his ancestors


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China Roman Empire: 300-100 BC: Rome expands into the Mediterranean. Rome competed with Carthage, the former Phoenician colony that was a naval and trading empire. It conquered Carthage in 3 wars (Punic Wars), beat Hannibal, general of Carthage, and controlled the trade of the Mediterranean. Defeated Greece in eastern Mediterranean.


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China Rome moved westward and conquered the Celts of Gaul (France) under General Gaius Julius Caesar. Rome moved eastward into Asia Minor and the Middle East taking Phoenicia, Israel, Mesopotamia, and Egypt away from the Seleucids, Antigonids, and Ptolemies. Rome was now an empire but still a republic until 23 BC.


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China 82 BC-31 BC: Civil War period in the Republic. Three officials/ generals vie for political power: Marcus Crassus; Pompey; Julius Caesar. “First Triumvirate” is formed. 73 BC: Spartacus slave revolt failed. Caesar is victorious.


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China Proclaimed himself dictator and then emperor. Expands the Senate to 900 members. He destroyed the republic. He was killed in 44 BC. Second battle for political power between Octavian and Marc Antony. 27 BC-14 AD: Octavian takes over as the first emperor. Known as Augustus. Julius Caesar


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China Rome’s Plan for empire: Built cities everywhere and became an urban empire (like Alexander). System of roads to connect every part of the empire (like Persia). Massive building and public works projects: aqueducts, baths, arenas. Provinces pay tribute. Coinage was standardized. Stationing of military garrisons. Defensive fortifications to keep out invaders: Hadrian’s Wall in Britain, 122 AD.


Slide 21:Hadrian’s Wall


Slide 22:Turret


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China Imperial governor in each province (like Persia). Local laws and religions were allowed if did not conflict with Roman Law which was the primary law (like Persia and Alexander). Roman citizenship could be earned but not given easily. Did not intend to turn people “Roman.” (Unlike Alexander). Harsh punishment (crucifixion) for treason. Greek used as the “lingua franca.”


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China Technological Info: Developed the dome; arch; and concrete. Excellent military tactics: short sword; catapult.


Slide 25:Pantheon Dome


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China The first 200 years of the empire, starting in 27 BC and ending in 180 AD, were a time of relative peace known as the Pax Romana. The last emperor of the Pax Romana period was Marcus Aurelius. Roman emperors governed the empire from 27 BC to 476 AD (CE). Each ruled by the title “Caesar” and many were corrupt.


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China The Roman Empire Declined: Economic reasons: The northern borders required defense from Germanic tribes. Expensive to man. Government had to pay mercenaries. Large landowners grabbed smaller farms through purchase and deceit. Government had to purchase staple goods from outside the empire.


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China Large landowners served in the Senate government and resisted taxation. Political Reasons: Corruption in government: bribery; assassination. Military ethics declined: rank could be purchased.


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China Growth of Christianity in the empire. Changed people’s views towards life and altered the perspective of human values.


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China Christianity: Based on holy writings known as the Bible: a collection of Jewish scriptures (Old Testament), and the Gospels (New Testament) also written mostly by Jewish people. A strictly monotheistic religion expressing God in three manifestations: “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China Founded on the teachings of, and religious belief in, Jesus of Nazareth. Know as Jesus Christ. The religion is born, and develops in, the Roman province of Judea (ancient Israel). Begun by religious Jews who followed Jesus of Nazareth whom they proclaimed as “the Son of God.”


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China Jesus was crucified by Rome (c. 33 AD) on a charge of treason just after establishing a community of believers. This community, initially established in Jerusalem, was called his “Church.” It remained an exclusively Jewish group for several years, proselytizing to Jews only.


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China Paul of Tarsus, Jewish citizen of Rome, and religious, undergoes a conversion and embarks on a mission to spread the new Jewish faith of Christianity to Rome and non-Jews. Paul was successful to the point that Roman Emperors (Caligula and Nero), felt threatened by the rapid expansion of the new faith and persecuted its followers.


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China Christianity brought the best of Jewish teachings (mercy and justice) to non-Jews, together with a new Christian emphasis on love and compassion for any and everyone including one’s enemies. In addition, the concepts of forgiveness and humility were also now emphasized as essential priorities. Effect: Changed Roman perceptions of their empire and themselves. No longer interested in conquering others.


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China 284 AD: Emperor Diocletian splits the Empire in half to make it easier to rule. ( Concept of co-administration is also seen…?) He will rule from the eastern half in Byzantium. A co-emperor will rule from the west in Rome.


Slide 36:Rome and Han China


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China 313 AD: The Emperor Constantine builds a new capital city from which to govern the empire: Constantinople. He also issues the Edict of Milan that recognized Christianity as the official religion of the empire. Greek and Roman philosophical traditions were reconciled with Christianity by Augustine of Hippo. It made Christianity appealing to upper-class educated Romans and not just working class Romans. His famous work was The City of God.


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China Christianity sought to standardize its doctrines through the empire for unity at the Council of Nicea and Council of Chalcedon. A hierarchy of religious authorities was established. The bishop of Rome emerges as head of the western Church and called the Pope. Just in time to fill the power vacuum left by the fall of Rome. 476 AD: Western half of the Roman empire, including the city of Rome, is destroyed by Germanic tribes coming from northern and central Europe. Romans referred to them as barbarians.


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China China: China went through a similar type of development to that of Rome. Starts out as a kingdom and then rides the path to empire. After the Zhou Dynasty two others follow: the Qin and the Han.


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China The Qin Dynasty (221 BC-206 BC) united all of ethnic China for the first time. To unify the vast territory standardization would be necessary: Weights and measurements, Coinage, Laws, Chinese writing script due to variations in the spoken language. These strategies will be used elsewhere in the world although not copied from China: Persia; Alexander; Rome.


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China Political Info: Strong Qin government based on Legalism. Strong centralized control of provinces. Built the Great Wall of China to defend itself against the northern tribes of Asia. This came from their experience in working with massive irrigation projects.


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China Social Info: Abolished slavery and primogeniture. Primogeniture: the right of the eldest child to inherit the family estate. Book burnings used to destroy ideas antagonistic to emperor Qin’s tactics. Many Daoist and Confucian classics disappeared.


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China Economics: Emphasized land reform to increase profits and productivity from agriculture. This created lots of smaller farms for tax purposes and allowed them to compete which is good for production. Qin were overthrown for being too harsh in labor and taxes.


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China Han Dynasty: 206 BC-220 AD Political Info: Government was based upon principles of Legalism and Confucianism. Both philosophies would be used for political strength. Legalism was relied upon to sustain the empire. The Han continued the strong central control policies of the Qin. Emperors were the source of law according to the Mandate of Heaven. Were known as the Sons of Heaven.


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China The Han promoted Confucian standards to develop a strong and efficient bureaucracy. Believed that those working in government service should be highly educated and excellent communicators. Developed the first civil service exam to supply the bureaucracy. Very Important!


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China Remember, Confucianism arose during the warring period of the Zhou Dynasty, and brought stability. Han Emperor Wu Ti expanded the borders of the empire into central Asia. Emperors aligned themselves with the gentry: class next in wealth after the nobles.


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China Social info: Typically, mostly the wealthy could afford proper education. Tremendous growth in number of urban areas. Chinese family structure was the model for government structure. The Han saw families as the essential unit of a orderly society. Due to Confucian filial devotion, everyone obeyed the rank above him. Thanks to Confucianism everyone and everything in government was a hierarchy of rank.


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China Han population growth and trade created: More markets, which created Larger towns and cities. Between 10-30% of the Chinese lived in towns and cities during the Han dynasty.


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China Economy: Long-distance commerce was emphasized. Most important export was silk. The major export route was the Silk Road through Central Asia. Han Chinese sought to control this route with soldiers and military campaigns. The Silk Road was anchored by several civilizations: China in central Asia; the Parthians in Persia; the Kushan empire of northern India; and the Romans of the Mediterranean. It started at the capital of Luoyang. The Silk Road route also carried Chinese culture.


Slide 56:Stone-rubbing art


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China Decline of the Han dyansty: Economic: Expense of defending the northern borders against northern tribes. Nobles and merchants built large landholdings at expense of small farmers. Landowners resisted taxation. Political: Corruption in government officials Government had to rely on mercenaries with questionable loyalty.


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China Similarities: Roman and Han societies Both had strong family values. Both had land misuse by upper class. Both had common problems with defense. Military conscription broke down. Both had their economies undermined by defense costs. Both hired mercenaries. Both empires were overrun by new peoples who were influenced by the culture they conquered. Empires looked to the past for examples, but Rome did not always follow them.


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China Differences: More social mobility in Rome due to strictness of Confucian hierarchy rules in China. Different view of government with Rome preferring a republic while China’s emperor made the laws as an autocrat. Chinese emperors had more freedom due to Son of Heaven concept. Roman emperors were hampered by republican tradition and the Christian notion that the emperor cannot be divine.


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China Religions were different: Rome was polytheistic; China had Buddhism. Less social mobility in Han China due to less emphasis on individual trade and commerce. Trade and commerce was controlled by the state in China, more so than in Rome. Individual initiative was placed on a higher level in Rome particularly in economics.


Rome and Han China :Rome and Han China End