Han China and Imperial Rome

Han China and Imperial Rome’s methods of political control vary religiously through the influences of their religions on the people and government, as well as through leadership styles; however, they are analogous regarding territorial expansion through reliance on the military.

Han China and Imperial Rome’s method of political control differs religiously. While Han China’s political method is centered around Confucianism during the beginning of the dynasty, and after steps of political change, around Daoism, society of Imperial Rome associates themselves, and is influenced by Polytheism. Confucianism is defined as more of a philosophy than a religion based on the reasons that Confucius, a Chinese philosopher and founder of Confucianism, taught philosophical and ethical ideas, glorifying humanity and shaping the traditional Chinese culture. Han China, after change in authority and rebellion, transformed from Confucianism into Daoism, a complete turnaround from Confucian beliefs, for Daoism comprises spiritual beliefs and glorifies nature instead of humanity. Imperial Rome, supportive of Polytheism, the worship of many Gods, differentiates completely with Han China for it is based solely upon the Gods the Romans worshiped, not philosophy or nature. Han China and Imperial Rome possess exceptionally different political methods of control through religion because before the Han dynasty, China created religious and philosophical systems in ways Rome did not.

Han China and Imperial Rome’s method of political control differs through styles of leadership. Within Han China, rule was gained through ancestors into a centralized bureaucratic authority and later authority became aristocratic unlike within Imperial Rome where authority began through aristocratic landlords and certain elements of democracy, not through ancestral means, and later transformed into totalitarianism. Bureaucracy is a system of government in which state officials make most of the important decisions rather than by elected representatives, an Aristocracy is a form of government where the nobility holds power, and Totalitarianism is a form of government where the ruler is an absolute dictator. Han China and Imperial Rome possess different political methods of control through styles of leadership because both empires were built on different origins.

Han China and Imperial Rome’s method of political control is analogous through territorial expansion. Both empires rely heavily on their militaries, Rome more than China, to expand their territories. Although, Han China had limits to where expansion would cease and Imperial Rome possessed no will to halt expansion processes, both empires utilized their militaries regularly, which indefinitely led to their downfall through expenses and rebellions. Han China and Imperial Rome possess similar political methods of control through territorial expansion because both empires desired power.

Han China and Imperial Rome’s methods of political control are analogous regarding territorial expansion through reliance on the military; however, they vary religiously through the influences of their religions on the people and government, as well as through leadership styles.