Compare And Contrast Rome And Han China

CC Chapter 4 The Han Dynasty and the Roman Empire existed during the Classical Era (500 b.c.e. – 500 c.e.). They were both second-wave civilizations, meaning they took place after and were somewhat based off of the world’s first civilizations. These regions were similar due to the fact that China accepted the new religion of Buddhism while Rome accepted the new idea of Christianity, as well as how the men in China were the heads of their families while male citizens in Rome had control over their wives, children, and slaves. On the other hand, the fact that Rome was first governed by patricians while China was governed by emperors set the two regions apart. The belief systems of the Han Dynasty and the Roman Empire were alike in same ways and different in others. The patriarchy in both …show more content…
In Chinese Confucius thinking, males were associated with Heaven while females were associated with Earth, which explains why men were set as the head of the family. Also, the religions in the Han Dynasty and Roman Empire encouraged being good to others. In China, Confucians believed in the idea of ren, which emphasizes being benevolent, considerate, kindhearted, and noble. In Rome, Christians encouraged loving everyone, even one’s enemies. According to Jesus, one should “’love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.’” In addition, the Chinese and the Romans absorbed foreign religions into their regions. Buddhism was introduced to China by Central Asian traders, and though it provided people with the stability that they desired, it was only practiced modestly. When Christianity began in Rome, it spread slowly until it gained support from the emperors, which boosted the spread into the rest of the region. The view of gods differed between the Chinese and the Romans. Though the Chinese believed that their emperors ruled by the Mandate of Heaven, there was no emphasis on a higher power that was thought to be revolved