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Material Type: Assignment; Class: World History; Subject: History; University: Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania; Term: Forever 1989;
Typology: Assignments
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Homework Assignment #2: Asserting Imperial Authority It is one thing to proclaim yourself emperor; it is another thing to convince others that you are indeed in charge. This assignment looks at how two different empires – the Han Empire in China and the Roman Empire in Europe and Northern Africa – asserted their imperial authority. Using the evidence that follows, answer the questions: How did the Han and Roman Empires justify and assert their imperial authority? Compare the similarities and differences in their approaches. Be sure to cite specific examples from the evidence to support you answers. There are several similarities among the imperial authority of both the Han and Roman empires. The first similarity is both empires ability to form and command an army. In the Han excerpt, Qin is told to have said "With my own insignificant person I have raised troops," which is similar to the excerpt from Caesar Augustus, where he states that "on my own initiative and at my own expense I raised an army." Both these leaders claim that they, by themselves, raised an army for their own needs. Also, both emperors had many monuments built to them. In the Tomb of Qin Shi Huangdi, there is an entire army of terra cotta soldiers that were made and placed to defend the dead emperors body. In the Roman empire, they erected Trajan's Column, a pillar which depicted epic scenes of the escapades. Finally, both emperors are cited having complete power over their empires. In the Han empire, it is stated in one excerpt that several conquered territories are in need of kings to bring order to them. But the advisors of the emperor cannot appoint anyone to these positions without first attaining the consent of the "Supreme One." Also, in the Roman empire, although it is said to be Republic, all the power lies with Caesar Augustus. It is said that "the power... passed entirely into the hands of Augustus, and from this time there was... a monarchy." Even though the Romans despised monarchies and dictatorships, all the government authority was held by Augustus. However, there are several differences among these empires, as well. One example is that the Han empire looked at government as more of a spiritual blessing, as opposed to the Romans ideologies of a great Republic. For instance, the Han empire thought signs of nature, such as natural disasters and signs from the Heavens, gave and took away an emperor's power. But, in the Roman empire, the emperor got his power from the senate and the people, not the Heavens. Also,