An Age of Empires: An Age of Empires: Rome and Han Rome and Han ChinaChina,,

753 B.C.E. – 330 C.E.753 B.C.E. – 330 C.E.I.I. Rome’s Creation of a Mediterranean Empire, Rome’s Creation of a Mediterranean Empire,

753 B.C.E. – 330 C.E.753 B.C.E. – 330 C.E. A. A Republic of FarmersA. A Republic of Farmers 1. Italy was a crossroads for the 1. Italy was a crossroads for the

Mediterranean, and the city of Rome was a Mediterranean, and the city of Rome was a crossroads for Italy.crossroads for Italy.

2. The Apennine mountain range runs along 2. The Apennine mountain range runs along the length of Italy.the length of Italy.

3. The mild climate affords a long growing 3. The mild climate affords a long growing season which are suitable for a wide variety season which are suitable for a wide variety of crops.of crops.

Ancient RomeAncient Rome

4. Rome was founded in 753 B.C.E. by 4. Rome was founded in 753 B.C.E. by Romulus, according to popular myth.Romulus, according to popular myth.

5. Archaeological evidence suggests 5. Archaeological evidence suggests that the earliest occupation may go back that the earliest occupation may go back as early as 1000 B.C.E.as early as 1000 B.C.E.

6. What we refer to as Ancient Rome 6. What we refer to as Ancient Rome consists of the Tiber River and seven hills. consists of the Tiber River and seven hills. The oldest settled hill is called the The oldest settled hill is called the Palatine Hill.Palatine Hill.

Seven Hills of RomeSeven Hills of Rome

7. Agriculture was the essential economic 7. Agriculture was the essential economic activity in the early Roman state and land was activity in the early Roman state and land was the basis of wealth.the basis of wealth.

8. The vast majority of early Romans held a 8. The vast majority of early Romans held a small plot of land while a few wealthy families small plot of land while a few wealthy families acquired large tracts of land.acquired large tracts of land.

9. These wealthy families were members of 9. These wealthy families were members of the Senate, or “Council of Elders”, that played a the Senate, or “Council of Elders”, that played a dominant role in politics.dominant role in politics.

10. Between 753 B.C.E. to 507 B.C.E., there 10. Between 753 B.C.E. to 507 B.C.E., there were seven kings of Rome starting with Romulus were seven kings of Rome starting with Romulus and ending with Tarquinius Superbus.and ending with Tarquinius Superbus.

11. In 507 B.C.E. members of the senatorial 11. In 507 B.C.E. members of the senatorial class led by Brutus “the liberator” deposed of class led by Brutus “the liberator” deposed of Tarquinius and instituted a Tarquinius and instituted a res publica, res publica, a “public a “public possession,” or republic.possession,” or republic.

12. The 12. The Roman republicRoman republic, which lasted from , which lasted from 506 to 31 B.C.E., had many assemblies that 506 to 31 B.C.E., had many assemblies that male citizens were allowed to attend.male citizens were allowed to attend.

13. The real center of power resided in 13. The real center of power resided in the the Roman SenateRoman Senate..

14. The basic unit of Roman life was 14. The basic unit of Roman life was the family, which the oldest male was the the family, which the oldest male was the unquestionable leader.unquestionable leader.

15. This was called the 15. This was called the paterfamiliaspaterfamilias, , or the oldest living male.or the oldest living male.

16. Roman society was very hierarchical with 16. Roman society was very hierarchical with complex ties of obligation called the complex ties of obligation called the patron/client relationshippatron/client relationship..

17. The patron was a man of wealth and 17. The patron was a man of wealth and influence, while a client was a man who sought a influence, while a client was a man who sought a patron’s help and protection.patron’s help and protection.

18. Roman women were less constrained 18. Roman women were less constrained than their Greek counterparts.than their Greek counterparts.

19. The Romans were polytheistic and 19. The Romans were polytheistic and adopted the Greek’s view of spirituality.adopted the Greek’s view of spirituality.

B. Expansion in Italy and the MediterraneanB. Expansion in Italy and the Mediterranean 1. When Rome became a republic in 507 1. When Rome became a republic in 507

B.C.E., it was a relatively insignificant city-state.B.C.E., it was a relatively insignificant city-state. 2. Within several centuries, Rome was the 2. Within several centuries, Rome was the

center of a huge empire encompassing virtually center of a huge empire encompassing virtually all the lands surrounding the Mediterranean Sea.all the lands surrounding the Mediterranean Sea.

3. Rome’s conquest of Italy began due to the 3. Rome’s conquest of Italy began due to the ongoing friction between pastoralists in the ongoing friction between pastoralists in the mountains and agriculturalist of the coastal mountains and agriculturalist of the coastal plains.plains.

4. Rome formed a league of central cities 4. Rome formed a league of central cities organized for defense against the hill tribes.organized for defense against the hill tribes.

5. By 290 B.C.E., Rome had won three wars 5. By 290 B.C.E., Rome had won three wars with the tribes of Samnium extending their with the tribes of Samnium extending their “protection” over nearly the entire peninsula.“protection” over nearly the entire peninsula.

6. One key element of Roman success was 6. One key element of Roman success was their willingness to open Roman citizenship to all their willingness to open Roman citizenship to all their conquered peoples. their conquered peoples.

Incremental MapIncremental Map

7. Between 264 and 202 B.C.E., Rome fought two 7. Between 264 and 202 B.C.E., Rome fought two bloody wars against Carthage. This allowed Rome to bloody wars against Carthage. This allowed Rome to emerge as the unchallenged master of the western emerge as the unchallenged master of the western Mediterranean.Mediterranean.

8. Between 200 and 146 B.C.E., a series of wars 8. Between 200 and 146 B.C.E., a series of wars pitted Rome against the Hellenistic kingdoms of the pitted Rome against the Hellenistic kingdoms of the eastern Mediterranean. Now Rome’s territorial eastern Mediterranean. Now Rome’s territorial acquisitions included the entire Mediterranean.acquisitions included the entire Mediterranean.

9. The conquests of the Celtic peoples of Gaul by 9. The conquests of the Celtic peoples of Gaul by general Gaius Julius Caesar between 59 and 51 B.C.E. general Gaius Julius Caesar between 59 and 51 B.C.E. extended the empire into the European heartland.extended the empire into the European heartland.

C. The Failure of the RepublicC. The Failure of the Republic 1. Two factors eventually bring down the Roman 1. Two factors eventually bring down the Roman

Republic: (1) Italian peasants were gone for extended Republic: (1) Italian peasants were gone for extended periods of time due to constant warfare, and (2) most of periods of time due to constant warfare, and (2) most of the wealth that was generated from the conquests ended the wealth that was generated from the conquests ended up in the hands of the elites.up in the hands of the elites.

2. These elites took the wealth and funneled it into 2. These elites took the wealth and funneled it into purchasing more Italian land usually by taking it from the purchasing more Italian land usually by taking it from the lands of the peasant who were away fighting wars.lands of the peasant who were away fighting wars.

3. Small farms were now replaced by latifundia or 3. Small farms were now replaced by latifundia or “broad estates”.“broad estates”.

4. Originally, in order to be part of the Roman legion 4. Originally, in order to be part of the Roman legion (units of 6,000 soldiers) you had to own property.(units of 6,000 soldiers) you had to own property.

5. With the elites buying up all the property, this 5. With the elites buying up all the property, this posed a problem.posed a problem.

6. Some generals solved this problem by allowing 6. Some generals solved this problem by allowing anyone into the army. This generally included poor and anyone into the army. This generally included poor and property less men. This poses a problem!property less men. This poses a problem!

7. A series of ambitious individuals – Sulla, Pompey, 7. A series of ambitious individuals – Sulla, Pompey, Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, and Octavian – Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, and Octavian – commanded armies who primary loyalty was to their commanded armies who primary loyalty was to their generals and not to the state.generals and not to the state.

8. Julius Caesar’s grandnephew Octavian 8. Julius Caesar’s grandnephew Octavian eliminated all his rivals by 31 B.C.E. and eliminated all his rivals by 31 B.C.E. and refashions the Roman system of government.refashions the Roman system of government.

9. Octavian was later renamed 9. Octavian was later renamed AugustusAugustus by by the Senate and we sometimes refer to him as the Senate and we sometimes refer to him as the first Roman Emperor.the first Roman Emperor.

10. Augustus rules for 45 years and adds the 10. Augustus rules for 45 years and adds the territories of Egypt, parts of the Middle East, and territories of Egypt, parts of the Middle East, and Central Europe into his empire.Central Europe into his empire.

AugustusAugustus

11. Augustus was so popular that four 11. Augustus was so popular that four members of his family succeeded him as members of his family succeeded him as emperor. emperor.

12. They are sometimes referred to as 12. They are sometimes referred to as the bad-emperors: Tiberius, Caligula, the bad-emperors: Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero.Claudius, and Nero.

13. They were followed by the so-called 13. They were followed by the so-called good-emperors because they were mature good-emperors because they were mature men of proven ability.men of proven ability.

D. An Urban EmpireD. An Urban Empire 1. The Roman Empire of the first three 1. The Roman Empire of the first three

centuries C.E. was an “urban” empire. centuries C.E. was an “urban” empire. 2. The Roman upper class lived in 2. The Roman upper class lived in

elegant townhouses on one of the seven elegant townhouses on one of the seven hills.hills.

3. The Roman lower classes lived in 3. The Roman lower classes lived in crowded slums in the lower parts of the crowded slums in the lower parts of the city.city.

4. Some attractive elements of Roman urban 4. Some attractive elements of Roman urban life included a forum (an open plaza that served life included a forum (an open plaza that served as a civic center), government buildings, as a civic center), government buildings, temples, gardens, baths, theaters, temples, gardens, baths, theaters, amphitheaters, and centers for public amphitheaters, and centers for public entertainments.entertainments.

5. One source of prosperity for some urban 5. One source of prosperity for some urban dwellers was manufacture and trade.dwellers was manufacture and trade.

6. Commerce was enhanced by the 6. Commerce was enhanced by the pax pax romanaromana or “Roman peace”. or “Roman peace”.

7. One of the most enduring consequences 7. One of the most enduring consequences of the Roman empire was of the Roman empire was RomanizationRomanization, the , the spread of the Latin language and Roman way of spread of the Latin language and Roman way of life.life.

8. The phenomenon was confined primarily 8. The phenomenon was confined primarily to the western half of the empire.to the western half of the empire.

9. The evolution of modern Portuguese, 9. The evolution of modern Portuguese, Spanish, French, Italian, and Romanian proves Spanish, French, Italian, and Romanian proves that not only did the elites take in the language that not only did the elites take in the language of Rome but so did the common man.of Rome but so did the common man.

II.II. The Origins of Imperial China, 221 B.C.E. – The Origins of Imperial China, 221 B.C.E. – 220 C.E.220 C.E.

A. Resources and PopulationA. Resources and Population 1. Due to the geographical position of China, 1. Due to the geographical position of China,

the Chinese had a more difficult time the Chinese had a more difficult time controlling the area within its region.controlling the area within its region.

2. The Chinese did not have the 2. The Chinese did not have the Mediterranean Sea to help facilitate travel Mediterranean Sea to help facilitate travel over large distances.over large distances.

Han ChinaHan China

3. Agricultural production was the primary 3. Agricultural production was the primary source of wealth and taxes.source of wealth and taxes.

4. The next fundamental asset of the 4. The next fundamental asset of the Chinese was its human labor force.Chinese was its human labor force.

5. Between seasonal intervals, China 5. Between seasonal intervals, China required every able-bodied man to donate one required every able-bodied man to donate one month of labor a year to public works projects.month of labor a year to public works projects.

6. The vast majority of its population live in 6. The vast majority of its population live in the eastern part of the empire with a population the eastern part of the empire with a population of about 60 million people by about 140 C.E.of about 60 million people by about 140 C.E.

B. Hierarchy, Obedience, and BeliefB. Hierarchy, Obedience, and Belief 1. Like the Romans, the basic unit of 1. Like the Romans, the basic unit of

Chinese society was the family.Chinese society was the family. 2. The Chinese family unit not only 2. The Chinese family unit not only

included the living generations but also included the living generations but also their ancestors.their ancestors.

3. The fundamental sources of values 3. The fundamental sources of values during the Han dynasty was the doctrine of during the Han dynasty was the doctrine of Confucius.Confucius.

4. Women in ancient China are hard to 4. Women in ancient China are hard to speculate on because not much was written speculate on because not much was written about them.about them.

5. What we do know is that women had their 5. What we do know is that women had their marriages arranged by their parents.marriages arranged by their parents.

6. Chinese women could have a considerable 6. Chinese women could have a considerable amount of influence if they had the ability, the amount of influence if they had the ability, the personality, and provided sons to her husband.personality, and provided sons to her husband.

7. Many accounts write of the tensions 7. Many accounts write of the tensions between wives, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law between wives, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law competing for the influence of husbands, sons, competing for the influence of husbands, sons, and brothers.and brothers.

C. The First Chinese EmpireC. The First Chinese Empire 1. Towards the end of the Zhou period, 1. Towards the end of the Zhou period,

China deteriorated to a region of “Warring China deteriorated to a region of “Warring States” that competed for power.States” that competed for power.

2. By 221 B.C.E. 2. By 221 B.C.E. Shi HuangdiShi Huangdi – meaning – meaning “first emperor” – took the Qin state to Empire “first emperor” – took the Qin state to Empire status by taking over those warring states one status by taking over those warring states one by one.by one.

3. The Qin homeland was located in the Wei 3. The Qin homeland was located in the Wei valley.valley.

Qin EmpireQin Empire

4. Shi Huangdi created a totalitarian 4. Shi Huangdi created a totalitarian state based on the needs of the state.state based on the needs of the state.

5. They rid the state of Confucianism 5. They rid the state of Confucianism because they regarded it as too nonviolent because they regarded it as too nonviolent in regards to the actions of the ruler.in regards to the actions of the ruler.

6. Instead, they adopted the Legalism 6. Instead, they adopted the Legalism approach which justified Huangdi’s approach which justified Huangdi’s absolute hold on power.absolute hold on power.

D. The Long Reign of the HanD. The Long Reign of the Han 1. The Qin dynasty was so oppressive that a 1. The Qin dynasty was so oppressive that a

series of rebellions broke out all over China.series of rebellions broke out all over China. 2. When it was all over, a man named 2. When it was all over, a man named Liu Liu

BangBang establishes a new dynasty he names the establishes a new dynasty he names the Han.Han.

3. The Han rejects the excesses of the Qin 3. The Han rejects the excesses of the Qin dynasty and replaces the Legalist code with a dynasty and replaces the Legalist code with a revised version of Confucianism emphasizing revised version of Confucianism emphasizing the benevolence of the state.the benevolence of the state.

4. The Han empire endured for more than 4. The Han empire endured for more than 400 years from 202 B.C.E. to 220 C.E.400 years from 202 B.C.E. to 220 C.E.

5. This time is generally split into two time 5. This time is generally split into two time periods: (1) Western Han with its capital at periods: (1) Western Han with its capital at Chang’an, and (2) Eastern Han with its capital in Chang’an, and (2) Eastern Han with its capital in LuoyangLuoyang

6. The Han also held in the idea of the 6. The Han also held in the idea of the Mandate of Heaven allowing the people to see Mandate of Heaven allowing the people to see the emperor as a divine figure unlike the the emperor as a divine figure unlike the Romans.Romans.

7. A significant aspect of Chinese society 7. A significant aspect of Chinese society during this time was the rise of the gentry class.during this time was the rise of the gentry class.

8. The gentry class in China was the class of 8. The gentry class in China was the class of individuals right below the aristocracy and they individuals right below the aristocracy and they served as the chief bureaucrats within the state.served as the chief bureaucrats within the state.

9. It was the intention of the Qin and Han 9. It was the intention of the Qin and Han dynasties to weaken the aristocratic class.dynasties to weaken the aristocratic class.

10. The rise of Daoism among the 10. The rise of Daoism among the commoners was also quite characteristic of this commoners was also quite characteristic of this time period.time period.