Han Dynasty vs Rome Empire

The dawn of a new era in history was marked by the creation of empires. Their impact on the world has not left civilizations today, considering how all modern empires are modeled and compared to the first ones: Rome and Han. Both of these empires were the culmination of the ideas brought forth in the previous era, and had many similarities in their approach to key concepts. However, they also had several key differences in how they managed certain situations. During the classical time period, the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty adapted to a changing era by both becoming world powers through expansion and structure, but they were different in how they approached government, handled economical matters, and the types of technology used.
Both the Roman Empire and Han Dynasty had muli-layered government systems, but differed in their approach to controlling their territories. Both empires encouraged expansion into new areas, believing in the need for “buffer zones” to protect themselves from invasion and also to gather more resources. However, the empires needed methods to control these new territories. The Roman Empire encouraged a more free system, allowing the local elite to rule and expecting only labor and resources from them. They believed in allowing other cultures to co-exist with Roman beliefs, and upholding their common law system in all regions of the empire. The Han Dynasty, however, had a more strict approach, placing their own people into new areas. These people, usually middle class, would create a bureaucracy in the territory, and create a sense of unification by requiring Mandarin and Confucianism. The Hans wanted a central system of Confucianism placed in every corner of their empire. Overall, the two empires were able to create a stable government that was effective in all of its departments. The two empires were also able to create a stable economy that was, for the most part, able to sustain itself. Both had an agricultural-based economy that was driven by the amount of land owned, since the government would receive payment from the harvest. There was a split in philosophy between the two, however, on how much land was needed. The Han Dynasty were able to sustain themselves after conquering some land, using their own peasants as a labor force. On the other side, the Roman Empire had to continuously expand in order to replenish both resources and their slave force. However, both were able to tax their territories to fund their projects and military. Once again, there were differences. The Romans used merchants to monitor taxes, and they had the pax romana policy, where all merchants were protected from harm. The Hans also used merchants, but they were not trusted in society. In conclusion, the empires had new ideas in creating their economy.
The empires also had several other new ideas in the field of technology. One new concept both sides presented is a complex road system to connect the empire, allowing for more communication and commerce. Each empire had their own accomplishments to boot as well. The Romans were able to create aqueducts, concrete, and arches to create the roads along with a piping system to transport water. The Hans were able to develop the science of astronomy, along with the physical objects of watermills, horse collars, paper, and seismometers. Both empires also created new ideologies as well. The Romans were a part of the eruption of Christianity, while the Han embraced the new Buddhism. Both empires were able to create new ideas that helped their regions flourish.
Both the Roman Empire and Han Dynasty were able to accomplish many wonderful things in their times, and left a large impact upon the world today. They both were able to exist with a functional government, a flourishing economy, and innovative ideas. However, they did have differences, particularly in how to rule over new territories, what to use as a labor force, and different ideologies. These concepts behind an empire can be applied to modern empires, mainly the United States. The comparisons can be due to the similarities in government and ideology, but also differences in how the economy and technology is handled. The Roman Empire and Han Dynasty were able to personify a new era in human civilization.