Roman Empire and Han Dynasty: A Comparison AP World History

Roman Empire 31 BCE – 476 CE

Han Dynasty 220 BCE-220 CE

Political Characteristics Han China Roman Empire Well organized bureaucracy based upon Confucian ideals and education Well organized bureaucracy founded on Roman law and classical learning. Political Characteristics

Social Characteristics Han China Roman Empire Emphasis on family ancestors; patricarchal Reliance on landed gentry Engineering accomplishments: Roads, canals, silk weaving, bridges, the Great Wall Emphasis on family: pater familias Reliance on Patricians Engineering accomplishments: Roads, aqueducts, amphitheaters, domes, sewage systems, central heating Social Characteristics

Religious Characteristics Han China Roman Empire Confucianism, Daoism, native gods, introduction of Buddhism Emperor as god, paganism, introduction of Christianity during later empire Religious Characteristics

Decline of Han China Infighting among ruling elites Inequitable distribution of land-tax burden fell to peasants not to large landowners Series of peasant rebellions Generals usurp political power – become warlords 220 CE warlords split empire-3 kingdoms Emigration of nomadic tribes continues disunity

Decline of Roman Empire Internal opposition to emperors Difficulties in administering vast empire creates rivalries and divisions of authority Eastern and western empire – capital moved to Constantinople Germanic invasions by Vandals, Ostrogoths, Visigoths 476 – Odacer deposes final Western Roman Emperor

Decline of Roman Empire Eastern empire becomes Byzantine Empire – lasts another 1000 years This is a Christian empire that acts as a border between Europe and Islam

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 on an over-reached empire