Han_and_Rome

Han China which had flourished from 206 B.C.E. to 220 C.E. and Imperial Rome who thrived from 31 B.C.E. to 476 C.E. Both Empires demonstrate the inability to manage a large territory and defend extensive borders in terms of politics, However, Rome and China also have two very different political systems, based on their governments. Han China and Imperial Rome practiced different methods of political and social control. In China, Confucianism was the ideology that dictated everything. Loyalty to the emperor and a superior were strong points of Confucianism. Society was viewed as a family unit. This combined with the importance of filial piety created a very centralized, close unit political system. The empire was run by an emperor who ruled as a mandate of heaven. The Han developed a merit based civil service with exhaustible foot soldiers. Rather, China prioritized to maintain its borders and occasionally trade to commodities that they desired. In Rome, the religion and ideology was much less centralized, although, the paterfamilias did play an important role in society. However, because there was less emphasis as a collective group, the political organization was much less structured than that of Han China. On the other hand, Rome had a complex, centralized structure. This structure was ran by the Roman Republic, which was the basis for Roman society and everyday life. Also in China, there was less citizenship and freedoms to the people than that of Roman society. Even with the Republic, political control was mainly in the hands of the wealthy. In fact, only the wealthy were elected to a political position; the patricians and plebeians heavily influenced the importance of wealth. The appointed governors were specifically chosen from family connections as well. Counsels were given only a year in service, and as a result they had strived to achieve glory in one year, often by taking drastic means. By emphasizing conquest, it was a huge drain on Rome’s resources and manpower. There was not enough food to supply the growing empire. Both empires had unstable borders surrounded by dangerous enemies. However, Han China dealt with their invaders through the tribute systems, thus placing them with gifts and avoiding costly and expensive warfare which Rome preferred when dealing with their enemies. Also, both empires had significant technology, organization, and armies. Although very different ones. Rome excelled at battle tactics, military organization, and possessed horses. Han China experimented with gun powder, used the longbow, and obtained horses from their neighbors. China and Rome were both led by rulers, who strongly influenced the society both politically and culturally. The two had similar bureaucratic political structures, which consisted of leaders, officials, and administrators. Both Roman an Han civilization were extremely influenced by that ideologies. Han, of course with Confucianism, being the main basis of belief in China, and in Rome, the Church was the main influence of decisions and belief. Ultimately, both empires methods of political control led to the fall of both Imperial Rome, and Han China, due to the cost of keeping such an extensive empire, as well as the energy they focused on maintaining traders. The two empires, although their political system eventually led to their demise, have greatly contributed to our modern day political systems. Their methods of political control play a very important role in modern day society, as well as in their respective times.