Han Dynasty and Roman Empire (Compare and Contrast)

The Han Dynasty and the Roman Empire vary in their political development and achievements. The Roman’s developed two different codes of law, one that applied to citizens and another that applied to non-citizens. Rome’s trade routes were built using stone, which made it very easy for merchants to travel from one city to another over a vast amount of land. China, however, used a single code of law for all their citizens and conquered peoples, and used a long and treacherous trail in their trade; that lead to the Middle East. Even though these two civilizations held many differences, they also shared rulers who personally oversaw their governments to prevent numerous dilemmas and used expansive trade routes to build up their economies and further their influence in the world. Many of their differences in political progress stem from using different forms of government. The Chinese sovereign Wudi implemented Legalism at the beginning of his reign, giving him recognition throughout the ages. Many call Legalism a perfected form of government, while others claim that it is against all freedom and human rights. Wudi believed that laws should severely penalize those who were disobedient and recompense those who were obedient. Meanwhile, Augustus of Rome, enforced a Republic government, in which the people voted for who they thought should become their representatives and officials. Most often the officials who held office were wealthy, only a few lower class people partook in this prospect. Augustus was the political and religious leader of his people for the length of his reign. Wudi on the other hand implemented an examination that citizens could take. The examination was tremendously rigorous, and whoever received the highest score was given the bureaucratic position. This process helped knowledgeable people become civil servants; because of this scholars became the most elite persons in Chinese society. Wudi ruled only as a political leader of his country, never a