Thesis Sentence
There are some interesting parallels between the Romans and Chinese empires even though these empires ended differently.
I. Level of civilization
A. Roman Empire developed a higher level of civilization than the area surrounding it.
B. Chinese Empire developed a higher level of civilization than the areas surrounding it.
II. Ways to protect the empires from barbarians
A. The leaders of the empire devised three ways to protect the empire from the barbarians.
B. The leaders of the empire devised three ways to deal with the Huns and Mongols.
III. The end of the empires
A. Toward the end of the empire’s rule, some of the buffer states revolted brought on the empire’s breakdown.
B. The barbarians broke through to the empire and set up dynasties imitating the Chinese way of life.
Roman and Chinese Empires
We know about some great ancient empires such as the Persian, Egyptian, Greek, and so on, yet the Roman and Chinese empires may be considered as two of the greatest empires that ever exist. There are some interesting parallels between the Romans and Chinese empires even though these empires ended differently.
The Roman Empire ruled the Mediterranean world from about 500 B.C. to about 500 A.D. Not only Rome and the surroundings, its territory spread out to include North Africa, the Middle East, and Northern Europe. The empire developed a higher civilization than the area surrounding it. While the people outside its territory were barbarians and nomads, it already had a complex governmental structure and a bureaucracy.
Similar to the Roman Empire, Chinese empire ruled a wide territory. From its base around the Yellow River, it spread northward to Peking, west to the Central Plain, and south to Canton. Chinese Empire grew and remained intact from 221 B.C. to 1911 A.D. It became a center for art and philosophy for it developed a higher level of civilization than the area