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Roman Empire andHan Dynasty

A Short ComparisonAP World History

Roman Empire

Han Dynasty Characteristics

Han ChinaWell organizedbureaucracy basedupon Confucianideas andeducation

Roman EmpireWell organizedbureaucracyfounded on Romanlaw andclassicallearning

Characteristics

Han ChinaEmphasis on Familyancestors:patriarchicalReliance on landedgentryEngineeringaccomplishments:roads, canals, theGreat Wall

Roman EmpireEmphasis on family:pater familiasReliance on patriciansEngineeringaccomplishments:roads, aqueducts,amphitheatres,domes, sewagesystems, centralheating

Characteristics

Grand Canal Roman Roads

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Characteristics

Great Wall Roman Aqueduct

Characteristics

Han ChinaReligion:Confucianism,Daoism, nativegods, intro toBuddhism

Roman EmpireReligion: Emperoras god, paganism,intro toChristianity

Decline of Han Dynasty

Infighting among ruling elitesInequitable distribution of land - taxburden fell on peasants rather thanon large landownersSeries of peasant rebellionsGenerals usurp political power -become warlords

Decline of Han Dynasty

220 CE generals divide empire intothree kingdoms.Emigration of nomadic peoples intoN. China kept country disunited

Decline of Roman Empire

Internal opposition - barrackemperorsDifficulties in administering vastempire creates rivalries and divisionsof authorityEastern and Western Empire -capital moved to Constantinople

Decline of Roman Empire

Germanic invasions by Vandals,Ostrogoths, and Visigoths476 Odacer deposes final WesternRoman EmperorEastern Roman Empire becomesByzantine Empire - lasts another1000 years

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Shared Characteristics

Decline in Morals and ValuesDecline in those values that haveupheld this particular society together

Public Health and Urban DecayPolitical CorruptionUnemployment and InflationInferior technologyMilitary Spending