Han+China+and+Rome+Comparative+Essay+Outline

Thesis Statement: Han China and Rome were very successful during the Classical period, due to their similarities, but also because of their differences

Paragraph 1: While Han China had a civilization that was successful in philosophical beliefs, Rome was more focused on architecture and stability. Han China set up the main beliefs of Confucianism and Daoism where everyone would follow one or the other. In Rome, they were followers of Christianity even though they did not come up with it themselves. Han China developed easier ways for math and astronomy, while the Romans were big on engineering.

Paragraph 2: Han China was successful because of their caste system, where the emperor had the full power over the nobles, the merchants, and the peasants. In Rome there was no set system of levels, except that slaves were slaves and they had to do jobs such as cleaning the house, and tutoring the children. Han China also had a strict beaucracy where the emperor was in charge and could control the whole nation. However, in Rome they practiced a republic, where the people had a say and there was no head or lead representative. China was more of a peaceful civilization where they didnt feel the need to be involved in constant warfare, whereas the Romans were majorly involved in wars.

Paragraph 3: China and Rome both practiced a patriarchal society where the men were superior to the women. This could also be called male supremecy. China and Rome both had a stable trade system. Since the Silk Road started in China they were able to trade with all of Asia. Rome was successful in trade because they traded with the rest of the classical medittereanian world. Han China and Rome both had set agricultural systems.