What Are The Differences Between The Roman Empire And Han China

The period circa 600 B.C.E. to 600 C.E. was significant in imperial expansion and consolidation. Both were extremely prominent in the Roman Empire and Han China. Each region had an effective bureaucracy, large religious influence, and a strong military which promoted imperial expansion and consolidation. An effective bureaucracy played a large role in both Han China and the Roman Empire. Each used their strong government to provision major cities. This meant that both governments were engaged in crucial economic activity, most often through trade. This ensured stability in social and political order. Additionally, the Roman Empire showed great emphasis on law codes and a common legal system. While, the Han government held power over the trade of salt and iron. All of these provisions resulted in a strong bureaucracy for both the Roman Empire and Han China, that was able to support the ambitions of imperial expansion and consolidation. Large religious influence in the …show more content…
Han China had many enemies especially those from nomadic confederations, who threatened them. Han China as a result, saw it as their responsibility to not only uphold their empire, but the safety of their people. They did this through conscription or compulsory military service. The Roman Empire utilized slavery to keep an ongoing and successful labor force, to ensure more people could join the military. As more soldiers joined the military, Rome needed additional territory to pay them, as that was the form of currency they were awarded after their service. Turning this into a large cycle of imperial expansion and consolidation. Like Han China, Rome had wars and conquests as a result of perceived threats to security. These wars and conquests in Han China and the Roman Empire increased the length of borders and led to more threats, creating an endless cycle of imperialism and