The document compares and contrasts the Roman Empire and Han Dynasty of China. Both civilizations had well-organized bureaucracies based on law and education, with the Roman Empire founded on Roman law and the Han on Confucian ideas. They placed emphasis on family and relied on elite social classes, with the Romans relying on patricians and the Han on landed gentry. Both built infrastructure like roads, aqueducts, and canals. The declines of the empires were due to infighting among elites, peasant rebellions, and invasions that divided political power between warlords and separate kingdoms.

1. Roman Empire and Han Dynasty A Short Comparison AP World History

2. Roman Empire

3. Han Dynasty

4. Characteristics Han China Well organized bureaucracy based upon Confucian ideas and education Roman Empire Well organized bureaucracy founded on Roman law and classical learning

5. Characteristics Han China Emphasis on Family ancestors: patriarchical Reliance on landed gentry Engineering accomplishments: roads, canals, the Great Wall Roman Empire Emphasis on family: pater familias Reliance on patricians Engineering accomplishments: roads, aqueducts, amphitheatres, domes, sewage systems, central heating

6. Characteristics Grand Canal Roman Roads

7. Characteristics Great Wall Roman Aqueduct

8. Characteristics Han China Religion: Confucianism, Daoism, native gods, intro to Buddhism Roman Empire Religion: Emperor as god, paganism, intro to Christianity

9. Decline of Han Dynasty Infighting among ruling elites Inequitable distribution of land - tax burden fell on peasants rather than on large landowners Series of peasant rebellions Generals usurp political power - become warlords

10. Decline of Han Dynasty 220 CE generals divide empire into three kingdoms. Emigration of nomadic peoples into N. China kept country disunited

11. Decline of Roman Empire Internal opposition - barrack emperors Difficulties in administering vast empire creates rivalries and divisions of authority Eastern and Western Empire - capital moved to Constantinople

12. Decline of Roman Empire Germanic invasions by Vandals, Ostrogoths, and Visigoths 476 Odacer deposes final Western Roman Emperor Eastern Roman Empire becomes Byzantine Empire - lasts another 1000 years

13. Shared Characteristics Decline in Morals and Values Decline in those values that have upheld this particular society together Public Health and Urban Decay Political Corruption Unemployment and Inflation Inferior technology Military Spending