Comparative Essay: Roman and Han Empires

Religion within the two empires seemed to be on two totally different views. While the Roman Empire performed prayers, vows, sacrifices, acts of purification and atonement to appease their gods, the Han Empire didn’t have gods they worshiped because their beliefs relied on philosophy. Roman ports saw a constant flow of textiles, grain and other foodstuffs, metals such as gold, silver, copper, tin, lead, and iron, manufactured goods like glass, pottery, jewelry, and paper, and luxury items like silk, ivory, precious gems, and spices. Because of this, economy was one thing that the two empires shared.

The three aspects of civilizations mentioned above made the empires who they were. Roman religion and beliefs were shaped by foreign influences in such that they were polytheistic. Roman religion remained constant throughout their empire’s existence, whereas, the Han shifted from philosophy to philosophy; Confucianism to Taoism to Buddhism. Both empires’ ideal was, however, the citizen soldier. Han religion, on the other hand, was shaped around the previously established philosophies including Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. During the time of the Roman and Han empires, there was more than enough written documents made to make them easily classified among other empires. Because Roman trade was all over the Mediterranean world including Arabia, India, and China, it is evident that items such as pottery, silk, and precious gems like jade, were exchanges between the Roman and Han Empires.