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ROMAN EMPIRE AND THE HAN DYNASTY IN CHINA

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ROMAN EMPIRE AND THE HAN DYNASTY IN CHINA
ROMAN EMPIRE AND THE HAN DYNASTY IN CHINA

Rodrick Carter
HIEU 201
Liberty University
29 November 2014

Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty in China
The Roman Empire and Han Dynasty in China are two kingdoms that, despite the geographical difference between them, managed to achieve great success and failure in equal measure. Both were characterized by imperial dynasties that were headed by the emperors and they held large territories. Both of these kingdoms faced various challenges after their formation that became a major stabling block, but due to good leadership, they both managed to overcome and achieve success. Nevertheless, due to different reasons, both the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty declined and fell. This paper analyzes the similarities and differences between the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty taking into consideration their achievements and causes of their decline.
The Roman Empire was formed during the post-Republican period and it was characterized by a government that was headed by emperors. It also had large territorial holdings that were around the Mediterranean Sea in Asia, Africa, and Europe. The Roman Empire lived for a period of 500 years but was destabilized by numerous political conflicts and civil wars. Julius Caesar was among the perpetual ruler of the dynasty even though he was considered as a dictator that led to his assassination during the 44 BC1. The civil wars and several executions were random occurrence in the Roman Empire until Octavian, the adopted son of Caesar, rose to leadership and won battles over their long rivals Cleopatra and Mark Antony at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC. Octavian also managed to annex Egypt.
On the other hand, Han Dynasty was an imperial China dynasty that was formed in 206 BC. The dynasty was preceded by the Qin Dynasty in 221 to 207 BC2. The Han Dynasty unlike Roman Empire was founded by a rebel leader known as Liu Bang who was thirsty for power. Nevertheless, his newly found victory to



Bibliography: Adrian, Goldsworthy. In the Name of Rome: The Men Who Won the Roman Empire. London: Weidenfield and Nicholson, 2003. Adshead, Samuel., and Adrian, Miles. China in World History. London: MacMillan Press Ltd. New York: St. Martin 's Press, 2000. Benjamin, Isaac. The Limits of Empire: the Roman Army in the East. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1992. Block, Leo. To Harness the Wind: A Short History of the Development of Sails. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 2003. Campbell, Duncan. The Rise of Imperial Rome, AD 14-193. New York: Osprey, 2013. Csikszentmihalyi, Mark. Readings in Han Chinese Thought. Indianapolis and Cambridge: Hackett Publishing Company, Inc, 2006. Goldsworthy, Adrian. The Complete Roman Army. London: Thames and Hudson, 2003.

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