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Rome and Han China

Driving Question: How did Roman and Han Dynasty rulers grow and maintain their empires?

The Roman Empire and Han Dynasty China were the two pillars of the ancient world. These two empires linked with each other across a vast network of Silk Road trade. In the Mediterranean Sea and East Asia, they conquered vast territories and ruled over periods of peace and prosperity, thanks to innovative economic, political, and miliary strategies.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Analyze the formation and characteristics of the Roman Empire and Han Dynasty China.
  2. Learn about the historical thinking practice of continuity and change over time (CCOT).
  3. Use the historical thinking practice of sourcing to evaluate historical context and purpose.

Vocab Terms:

  • dynasty
  • eunuch
  • missionary
  • patriarchal
  • Pax Romana
  • republic
STEP 1

Opener: Rome and Han China

Teaching Tools

To teach this lesson step, refer to page 2 of the Lesson 4.5 Teaching Guide Locked .

Our Openers and Closers Guide provides more information about these short activities at the beginning and end of each lesson.

Luxury goods, such as silk, drove long-distance trade in the ancient world. This quick activity uses a primary source excerpt to help you understand the demand for silk.

STEP 2

Sources from Rome and Han China

Teaching Tools

To teach this lesson step, refer to page 3 of the Lesson 4.5 Teaching Guide Locked .

OER Project’s Reading Overview provides valuable insight into why literacy practices are vital to success in social studies.

Take a look at our Sourcing in History page to find all OER Project sourcing resources.

What can two ancient empires from very different parts of the world teach you? You’ll find out when sourcing documents from Roman emperor Augustus and Han government officials of Emperor Zhao.

STEP 3

Introducing CCOT

Teaching Tools

To teach this lesson step, refer to page 8 of the Lesson 4.5 Teaching Guide Locked .

For a quick review of how OER Project addresses CCOT, take a look at the OER Project CCOT One-Pager.

STEP 4

Closer: Rome and Han China

Teaching Tools

To teach this lesson step, refer to page 10 of the Lesson 4.5 Teaching Guide Locked .

Extension Materials
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Continue learning the details about Han China through this video, which looks across China’s long dynastic history into Confucianism and the Mandate of Heaven.
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Beliefs in Ancient China

Teaching Tools

To teach this lesson step, refer to page 10 of the Lesson 4.5 Teaching Guide Locked .

Continue learning the details about Han China through this video, which looks across China’s long dynastic history into Confucianism and the Mandate of Heaven.

A 12-minute introduction to 2,000 years of Chinese history! John Green explores the connections linking Chinese dynasties, Confucianism, and the Mandate of Heaven.

Key Ideas

As this video progresses, key ideas will be introduced to invoke discussion.