Han China vs. Classical Rome free essay sample

The societies of Han China (206 BCE-220 CE) and Classical Rome (27 BC- 476 AD) were greatly influenced by their political, social, and economic factors. Comparatively, unstable political situations encouraged the need for patriarchal societies and the family unit. However, their political systems, societal views, including the influence of religion, and economic instruments varied significantly. Nevertheless, they had similarities as well. For example, political corruption and failure to deal with financial issues led to the empires’ declines. A factor that caused differences in the political order of the two was Confucianism. Because Confucianism was enforced by social authority, it emphasized the emperors’ divine majesty while developing a sophisticated bureaucracy. The concepts involved with Confucianism such as filial piety and the five basic relationships assured a strong centralized government for China. Contrarily, Rome did not have such a philosophy to use as the base for its political structure — there was no ideology of political organization and social conduct that could survive as long as the Chinese government. We will write a custom essay sample on Han China vs. Classical Rome or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Although both empires did have bureaucracies, that of Rome’s was more complex and less structured than that of China’s and relied on local elites middle class to control provinces. Because consuls were only given a year to service the empire, they didn’t have enough time for the bureaucracy to truly develop. Unlike this, the Chinese emperors ruled under the mandate of heaven, giving them more than enough time to perfect the structure. The way power was appointed also greatly differed. The Chinese believed their emperor was divine and mandated by heaven, so there was a basis to revive the position of emperor in their society. Roman emperors, however, were chosen by army or the Senate. Also, China’s bureaucratic system allowed some poor to advance through the government, while strictly patricians and aristocrats dominated Rome’s system. Though the political structures of the societies were different, they contained many similarities in terms of their social orders. Both Rome and China were dominated by patriarchy and reverence for fathers. Both also focused on the veneration of ancestors, but more so the Han through objects such as oracle bones. Other factors emphasized by the family units were obedience and loyalty, respect for one’s elders of superiors, and piety. However, the Chinese believed the individual was deeply reliant of the larger social group, continuously using family as the model for the organization of the society. Contrarily, Romans were more aware of the right of individuals, so citizens were more willing ask for more from the government, rather than be content with what they already had. Women in Rome were associated with imperial status, titles and even some forms of power, although they were formally excluded from political offices consistently reminded of their domestic roles by emperors. These women were generally more educated considerably freer and less oppressed than Chinese women. The women in China were expected to rear children, weave clothes for the family, and perform domestic duties such as cooking. Some wealthy women had been educated and engaged in luxury trade, but most were entitled to these household chores. Lastly, the economic instruments of the two empires were based on the same factor: agriculture. Rome’s principle crop was wheat, while Han China’s was millet. Roman agriculture became centered on large plantations called latifundia, which employed hundreds of slave laborers and producing various crops for urban markets. The Roman Empires network of roads made it very easy for merchants and traders to travel throughout its territory. However, this was an unstable network; when the Pax Romana ended, so did the success of the trading. The network of roads built throughout China also enabled trade on a large scale. Also, Chinese victories against the Xiongnu enabled trade to the west. This gave the Chinese an advantage, since their goods were in high demand in Roman cities. The natural milieu of the empires differed as well: Rome’s crops were planted on light soil, while China’s were planted in dense loess, since a higher percentage of China was irrigated than Rome. China’s superiority in metallurgy in antiquity, particularly iron, deemed it the more successful of the two. The expansion of both empires ultimately led to their demises, reminding that quality is not always better than quantity. Rome’s overexpansion led to rebellion, while China’s tax base weakened its land and sense of unity. However, both became the centers of artistic development because of the production and wealth attained by each and people’s freedom and trust of the military to keep things running smoothly, just like Greece and the Gupta/Mauryan Empires at that time. Without the developments of Rome and Han China, the world would not be the same as it is today.

Note Taking Tips

Note Taking Tips Note Taking Tips Note Taking Tips By Sharon Writers may all have digital recorders but there are still some times when we need to take notes the old fashioned way. You know, with a pen and paper. If youre interviewing someone before writing an article, its good to take notes just in case the technology fails. However, interviews meander all over the place so it can be difficult to read your notes afterwards. Luckily, theres a simple trick you can use to make sure your interview notes are always readable. Its this: When writing notes in a notebook or notepad, write on alternate lines. Writing on every other line means that your writing doesnt get jumbled up. It also means you have room to go back and write additional information or clarification. At the end of the interview you will still be able to read all your notes clearly, even if your handwriting is terrible. And it will also make it easier to write additional notes before you start writing. Here are some other note taking tips from around the web: Use a three-ring binder instead of a spiral or bound book. Pages can be easily removed for reviewing. Practice management advisor, Joyce Brafford says â€Å"there’s no shame in drawing charts or shapes if it aids your understanding.† Write out your notes in your own words (not verbatim from a teacher or colleague). One exception to this is when you hear a good turn of phrase that helps you remember the the note, or if youre writing out a direct quote. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the General category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:4 Types of Gerunds and Gerund PhrasesWhenever vs. When Ever5 Keys to Better Sentence Flow

See detais below Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

See detais below - Essay Example While doing so, he attempted to explore the relationship between the two aspects of the popular folk story: history and literature. In the story, Knughy deeply explores the characters of the story, all of which plays different roles in creating the story itself. Knughy tried to answer different questions. How could the swagman be so jolly More interestingly, how could the homeless, hungry and tired swagman be so jolly If he was so jolly, why would he want to drown himself While analyzing the questions popping in his head, he recalls a time by the Combo Waterhole when the folk story of the Waltzing Matilda was discussed by him and his friend. He remembered conferring to his friend that the story needed to be truly Australian. Hence, it should be originally written with Aboriginal words. Only when verified the authenticity of the story as purely Australian can they conclude whether the swagman was pulled down by the spirit of the water after being hunted by policemen or he was drowned because he jumped to the water with a full stomach. Wharton's version was debated by many as whether it portrays a social reading of the... A social reading is the act of evaluating a particular work of literature, in the context of its impact to the society. In the time when most people regard 'Waltzing Matilda' as a mere folk story, it is indeed considered a social reading to evaluate the relevance of the story of its factual roots and historical bases. According to the text, the character's mind was in turmoil as his mind was debating what to believe in 'Waltzing Matilda'. Which of the text is fact and which is fiction How can the story be merely mythological How can it be real What was the real reason why the jolly swagman died Did he commit suicide This questions arising in his mind already qualifies as significant bases for Knughy to conduct social reading. Essentially, Knughy was able to conduct a social reading by recalling images of the past, which could be strong determinants of facts and myths. Suddenly, he recalled his mother's words: 'My boy, never but never swim on a full stomach'. From this, he was able to explore another possible angle of the jolly swagman's death. Hence, since he drowned with a full stomach, his death may not be due to suicide or any mythical reasons at all. He may have drowned simply because he jumped on the water with a full stomach. It was not regarded by many as social reading because the story portrays Knughy at present analyzing the text, without anyone else to share his thoughts with. However, an evaluation of a text does not require multiple listeners for it to be considered 'social reading'. This is what I learned in Hergenhen's Australian Short Stories. Contrary to popular conception, I believe that social reading does not need to be literally social; it has to be societal. Remarkably, this was indirectly implied in