The Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty

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The Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty reached unprecedented levels of progress by controlling equally vast lands and territories, utilizing ecological, economic and human resources, and consolidating power by the unification of their regimes under a common legal and cultural framework. The Roman Empire stretched from the present day British Isles to the present day Iraq and lasted five hundred years from 27 BC to 467 AD. The Han Dynasty dominated Asia from the Korean Peninsula to present day Vietnam and endured for over four hundred years from 206 BC to 220 AD. The Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty were among the most advanced civilizations of the ancient world, prevailing over their respective areas, experiencing a higher standard of living, and leaving behind lasting influences. However, the Roman Empire surpassed the Han Dynasty for a multitude of reasons, including innovative leadership, military prowess and technological achievements. The ruling body of the Roman Empire was intrinsic to uniting the extensive and diverse regions that comprised their area of reign. The Republic that preceded it was weakened by a series of civil wars. The highest level of government was represented by the absolute rule of the emperor. Emperors established and maintained institutions that kept them together and helped the different populations adopt Roman ways including well-developed written laws, uniform currency and a fixed system of weights and measures. Such institutions are interbred in the modern principals that shape western civilization, lasting long after the empire that developed them (Emmons, “Roman Empire”). The creation of the Roman Empire ultimately occurred as a result of Julius Caesar appointing himself the first dic... ... middle of paper ... ...the stirrup was also invented by Han people as well as block printing, the compass, seismograph, map making wheelbarrow and advances in medicine, mathematics and astrology. The technology of the Roman Empire and Han Dynasty were both significant. The municipal planning of Rome outweighed the technological advances of China, as it was a model of a planned community reflecting the needs of its citizens. The two prominent empires, the Roman Empire in the west and the Han Dynasty in the east ruled over large sections of the world population. The significance of these empires on history was undeniable. Although the two classical empires had separate patterns of advancement, both became unparalleled models for later imperialists. The Roman Empire was more advanced than the Han Dynasty in leadership, military forces and technology.

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