The gender roles within both Rome and Han China were similar. For example, both civilizations were patriarchal. The male was placed in charge because he was the closest to his ancestors, maintained the well-being of the household, and made sure to continue the family’s sense of honor. A difference between Rome and Han China included the family structure. The people of Han China believed that the way an individual acted would reflect upon the whole family and their hierarchy; in contrast, Rome was more lenient on the individual affecting the family’s hierarchy. The reason for the Romans’ lenience was that there was no equivalence of Confucianism in Roman society. Roman hierarchy did not completely rely on an individual’s code and conduct. Although these two civilizations do not relate in their family structure, they are comparative within their method of economical production.…
Classical Rome (1st century BCE to 4th century CE) and China during the Qin dynasty and the Han dynasty were very different times. They both had many differences but also shared some similarities. Some topics that both of the countries were different in and shared similarities was treatment of slaves, role and view of women, and the social class structure and role of citizens.…
In both empires the people and class structures played an important role in maintaining political control within the empire. In both Imperial Rome and Han China a patriarchal society was present and men were placed above women. However, women in Imperial Rome…
In Hans China women are expected to follow certain traits, so that they do not disgrace their reputation; however,“If a women lacked these three traits, she will have no name to preserve and will not be able to avoid shame”(Document R). In China a woman's reputation is everything and as soon as she is not obedient and industrious she will not be able to avoid shame and mistreatment. Likewise, in Athens “with fewer or no slaves, women had to do more, take more responsibility, and get out more” (Document R). Athenian women had multiple responsibilities, yet had few laws and their worth was compared to a slave or child. Both women in China and Athens were expected to act a certain way to preserve their name, but their responsibilities…
First, ancient Rome and Han China both shared social views. Male dominance was a big thing for both, as they only cared to produce male offspring and didn't really care much about the women. In Han China it was a bit of a disgrace to produce women offspring; in Rome women were in the same social level as all of the children, everybody under seven-teen years of age. Even-though they both had sort of a sexism society, their paterfamilias were very loyal and respectful. Rome had a lot more slaves then Han China, however they led to an economical downfall in both ancient Rome and Han China.…
Society cannot exist without a unified social doctrine, as is true with both the Han and Roman empires. While there may be vast differences between them, at their roots is the same thing, a structure built on family. In this family structure, the households are run by the oldest male member. This member was to be given total respect and obedience and made all the important decisions for the family. This structure not only applied to the household, but to everyday life. Your sex, age, and social standing determined your level of influence in matters of state. These societies also treated women in a similar way. In both societies women had little to no control over their marriage prospects and could not own property or represent themselves in court. Women of higher social standings did have more political influence and as time went by women began to gain better social standings and powers. While similarities may be present, these empires have some key social differences. In Han China, there was little possibility to move between social classes, unlike in the Roman empire where there were more opportunities to do so. In Han China, one was stuck in the class they born in and simply had to endure the fact. Also, in Rome, the people had more power than the citizens of Han China. Since Rome started out as a republic, the citizens had a say in what the government did. While it may be true that most of the political power was reserved for the wealthy, the people still had…
In the Postclassical Era, the overall role of women and the roles they played in society began to change. The three major civilizations of China, Japan and the Mongol Empire were no exceptions. The everyday rights of women varied among these societies. The relationships between women and their husbands differed among the civilizations as well. Finally, specific women in each society held positions unique to their own cultures. During the postclassical period, women in China, Japan, and the Mongol Empire played different roles in their respective societies, with the main subjects of comparison being their everyday rights, their relationships with their husbands, and the positions specific individuals held.…
Rome was structured as a patriarchal society which naturally resulted in a diminished role for women. Furthermore, it is especially difficult to accurately describe the lives and roles of women considering all historical written evidence from the period was completed solely by aristocratic men. As a result all historians know about women come from a male perspective and is as a result mired in bias. All power within the family lay with the patriarchal figure, women served subservient roles and were at every social level considered inferior to men. As in most societies, until very recently, women’s primary purpose was seen to be that of child baring and rearing, and the management of the domestic chores and household (Renshaw page 159). At no time in Roman…
In China, gender inequality still exists between husbands and wives; however, ever since 1950, the tendency of gender positions shared in a marriage is increasing. Both traditional and modern marriages require dowries and bride prices from both families, whereas the economic grows, either one side of the family has to disburse more to the other family. Moreover, the one who has higher education or earn the most has the authority in household. Working inequality is still present in some cities of China, however, the unfairness has improved distinctly from the past. The divorce rate is increasing, since women have the right to divorce and freedom to choose. In ancient China, due to women had overwhelmed by domination of men in marriages, marriages…
The role of women in China is as complex as the dynasties. Much like the differences between Qin and Tang in their choice of governance the role of women also differed depending on the dynasty and how they perceived to be their role. In modern times I always perceived China to be patriarchal, only allowing men to rule and for women to exist in traditional roles. My perception was wrongfully based on the lack of mentioning of female rulers, as England had Queen Elizabeth, and in Russia, Queen Catherine as strong female leaders, It surprised me when I read the article “Female Rulers In Ancient China” by Yang Lien-Shang about the Empress Dowagers and their repeated history of being rulers is varied again depending on the Dynasty as stated, “This type of regency [Empress Dowagers] has a history of over two thousand years, and certainly it should not be regarded as something accidental” (20). The examples given in the article are also varied as some Empress Dowagers were only there for emergencies or others like Empress Dowager Liu were more ambitious, making the power Empress Dowagers depends on the ambition of the empress themselves . In connecting to Chinese Histories it is interesting how varied the role of women could be seen, as sometimes they were heads of China, while in other dynasties their feet could be blinded in a very harmful custom. Empress Dowagers was the highest a woman in Chinese history could go until recent time, for regular…
“A woman's duty is not to control or take charge…a woman’s greatest duty is to produce a son.” ("Women and Confucianism”) This is a quote by the great Confucius, who lived as a well-known teacher and philosopher in ancient China. However, this simple statement very accurately sums up what many cultures throughout history have expected of women. Even across such different times and places as the ancient Roman Empire (510 BC – 420 CE) and the Chinese Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 CE), women were considered inferior to men, with their social class very similar to slaves. From home life to education to politics, women of these two cultures shared many similarities as well as acute differences.…
The common view in ancient societies was often that this was a world of men; that women were inferior. There is often debate on the role of women in society, but in reality, women play an important role in any type of society, whether it be good or bad. Women in ancient Greece, China, and the Roman Empire were able to exercise influence into their culture despite the discrimination toward them. Although each society was different, women shared similar influences in their power, and restrictions in the aspect of marriage. Although most of these ancient cultures viewed women similarly, of these three locations, the women in the Roman Empire had it best.…
Women's lives, roles, and statuses changed over various early world history eras and culture areas in many ways. Ancient Persia, Paleolithic, Athens, Mesopotamian and Roman eras were all different in very unique ways. The Paleolithic era treated women fairly and were treated equally. During the Neolithic era women were not treated fairly. She was the daughter of her father or the wife of her husband. Women rarely acted as individuals outside the context of their families. Those who did so were usually royalty or the wives of men who had power and status.” (oi.uchicago.edu, 2010) Athenian women were not treated fairly either almost as if they were not even a citizen. “Laws forbade women and children from participation in political, judicial, and military affairs.”(Mahdavi, 2012) During the Ancient Persian Empire women brought more to their marriage than the men did. They could also divorce their husbands without reason and explanation. The Ancient Persian Empire is when women’s roles really began to change. Women that lived within the Roman Empire were expected to have a guardian because the Romans believe the women were not responsible enough to do things without. Although, women were still considered property, they had more options and rights as a woman.…
The role of women in different civilizations, even though on different spectrums of the world, had many similarities and only a few differences. Women in these four civilizations: Greece, Egypt, China, and India faced many of the same hardships, struggles, and prejudices. Some of this treatment of women didn't even end until present day (1920's). In some of these civilizations women were able to rise up somewhat in their communities but it didn't come without some kind of interference.…
Women in ancient China did not hold any official position of power. They were portrayed as “objects” who were sold off into marriages and forced to have their feet bound to limit easy mobility. Male domination was prominent in all of China. Women served as servants, concubines, and prostitutes. Also, women had no say in who they could marry. Marriages were arranged, sometimes right from birth. However, like the idiom says, “the man is the head, the woman is the neck. She can turn the head any way she wants.” When men ruled the general public, women controlled everything in the household. The head wife is the person who dictates what is bought in the household, how…