Rome and Han China Part I:

POLITICS

Unifying Question

WHAT IS AN EMPIRE?

Empire is the extension of political rule by one people over other, different peoples

Popular images of empire focus on monuments, opulence, power, and wealth

Actual tasks of empire include:

- Effective communication and administration- Awareness of place of

conquered peoples in empire

- Unified monetary system

Kinds of Empire?

How can we compare the way civilizations * gain* retain * lose their Empires?

The BIG Question:

ROMAN HISTORY:Mythic origins

ROMAN HISTORY:Mythic origins753-509 BCE: Ruled by foreign

kings

ROMAN HISTORY:Mythic origins753-509 BCE509-31 BCE: The Republic

Roman Republic:What was the goal of the cursus honorum?

Roman empire in 218 BC

Roman empire in 100 BC

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Roman empire in 100 BC

Roman empire at death of Caesar (44 BC)

End of Republic

ROMAN HISTORY:31 BCE-330 CE

The Principate

RES GESTAE

Principate

• Why is this a pivotal moment?• Republic princeps• Aggressive conquest pax

Romana• Period of flourishing

literature & art

PAX ROMANA

CHINA (Unit 2):Warring States Period(771-221 BCE)

EMPEROR QIN (221-206 BCE)

Legalism

Han Empire: ~200 BCE - ~200 CE