China's ancient civilizations developed a long way from Greece, Rome, and other European empires. China, too, had its "classical period," or Golden Age, but in most ways the dynasties of China were quite different from the Western empires. The questions on this page will help you compare and contrast ancient China with empires in Western Europe.
Ancient Greece was made up of city-states, each ruled by a separate system of government. How did Ancient China compare?
- China started out as a group of city-states but later formed a republic.
- Dynasties ruled China, and leadership was passed down through families.
- China formed a democracy in order to live more like the West.
Throughout China's early history, the power to rule was passed along family lines.
Throughout China's early history, the power to rule was passed along family lines.
Throughout China's early history, the power to rule was passed along family lines.
Rulers of the Roman Empire gained power when they were appointed by the previous emperor or were selected by a small group of powerful Romans. How did rulers gain power in Ancient China?
- Chinese rulers either inherited the position or seized power from the ruling family.
- Chinese rulers hired an army to help them gain power over a particular region.
- Chinese rulers were appointed by priests who asked a deity who should rule next.
In a dynastic culture, you're either born into a ruling family, or you manage to defeat a ruling family and set up your own dynasty.
In a dynastic culture, you're either born into a ruling family, or you manage to defeat a ruling family and set up your own dynasty.
In a dynastic culture, you're either born into a ruling family, or you manage to defeat a ruling family and set up your own dynasty.
In Ancient Greece and Rome, religion was an important part of daily and political life. Priests and priestesses managed relationships with deities, and huge temples were built to win the gods' favor. How did Ancient China compare?
- Organized religion was not a key feature of ancient Chinese society.
- Like Western empires, ancient China built massive temples to honor its deities.
- Chinese society worshiped a single supreme being instead of many gods.
The ancient Chinese did not develop elaborate rituals for communicating with divine beings. The scholar Confucius had more influence on the culture's ideas about good and bad behavior.
The ancient Chinese did not develop elaborate rituals for communicating with divine beings. The scholar Confucius had more influence on the culture's ideas about good and bad behavior.
The ancient Chinese did not develop elaborate rituals for communicating with divine beings. The scholar Confucius had more influence on the culture's ideas about good and bad behavior.
The Classical era in Europe lasted from 500 BCE to 500 CE. What about China's Classical period?
- China's Classical era happened at around the same time as Europe's.
- China's Classical era lasted about 400 years--during the Han Dynasty's rule.
- China's Classical period was much shorter than Western Europe's--only a hundred years or so.
In the region now known as China, several different dynasties rose and fell throughout most of the Classical period, but the Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE) is considered the "golden age" of that region.
In the region now known as China, several different dynasties rose and fell throughout most of the Classical period, but the Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE) is considered the "golden age" of that region.
In the region now known as China, several different dynasties rose and fell throughout most of the Classical period, but the Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE) is considered the "golden age" of that region.
In classical Greece and Rome, emperors tried to conquer other regions in order to expand their wealth, and they often integrated the customs and beliefs of the people they conquered into their own culture. What about classical China?
- Chinese empires were also interested in expansion--they tried to conquer South Asia and Western Europe.
- Chinese empires focused on protecting their large region from outsiders rather than expanding.
- Chinese empires welcomed outsiders as a way of growing their population and learning new ideas.
Chinese empires remained more isolated throughout their early history--they had a lot of land and resources to protect from invading nomads, and they tended not to welcome new ideas as easily as Western civilizations.
Chinese empires remained more isolated throughout their early history--they had a lot of land and resources to protect from invading nomads, and they tended not to welcome new ideas as easily as Western civilizations.
Chinese empires remained more isolated throughout their early history--they had a lot of land and resources to protect from invading nomads, and they tended not to welcome new ideas as easily as Western civilizations.
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