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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

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

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

STEP 4

Closer: Rome and Han China

Merchants were one of the most important means by which religions spread to new places. Putting yourself in their shoes as they try to explain their religion will help you understand how religions changed.

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

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.