Before answering the question, read the following excerpt.The Han dynasty was contemporaneous [existed at the same time] with the Roman Empire and has often been compared to it. Han and Rome both had strong governments that expanded geographically, promoted assimilation, and brought centuries of stability to the central regions. Both managed to deal with enormous problems of scale, ruling roughly similar numbers of people over roughly similar expanses of land. Both developed bureaucratic institutions, staffing them with educated landowners. Both invested in the construction of roads, defensive walls, and waterworks. Both were threatened by barbarians at their frontiers and often used barbarian tribal units as military auxiliaries.The contrasts between the Han and Roman empires are equally instructive. China was a civilization based much more profoundly on crop agriculture. Not only did animal husbandry play less of a role in agriculture, but cities and commerce played a lesser role in the overall economy. Cultural cohesion was also of a different order in Han China than in Rome. Perhaps because of the Chinese script, it is much easier to talk about a common culture among the elite in Han China than in the Roman Empire.From Patricia Buckley Ebrey, The Cambridge Illustrated History of China (New York: Cambridge University Press, 1996, 2010), 85.Which of the following claims could be supported by the comparisons in this passage?Choose 1 answer:Choose 1 answer:(Choice A) Rome and Han China were too different to meaningfully compare ARome and Han China were too different to meaningfully compare(Choice B) Rome and Han China had identical empiresBRome and Han China had identical empires(Choice C) Rome and Han China had similar political structures, but there were important differences in their economic and cultural structuresCRome and Han China had similar political structures, but there were important differences in their economic and cultural structures(Choice D) Rome and Han China had similar economic and cultural structures, but there were important differences in their political structuresDRome and Han China had similar economic and cultural structures, but there were important differences in their political structures
Question
Before answering the question, read the following excerpt.The Han dynasty was contemporaneous [existed at the same time] with the Roman Empire and has often been compared to it. Han and Rome both had strong governments that expanded geographically, promoted assimilation, and brought centuries of stability to the central regions. Both managed to deal with enormous problems of scale, ruling roughly similar numbers of people over roughly similar expanses of land. Both developed bureaucratic institutions, staffing them with educated landowners. Both invested in the construction of roads, defensive walls, and waterworks. Both were threatened by barbarians at their frontiers and often used barbarian tribal units as military auxiliaries.The contrasts between the Han and Roman empires are equally instructive. China was a civilization based much more profoundly on crop agriculture. Not only did animal husbandry play less of a role in agriculture, but cities and commerce played a lesser role in the overall economy. Cultural cohesion was also of a different order in Han China than in Rome. Perhaps because of the Chinese script, it is much easier to talk about a common culture among the elite in Han China than in the Roman Empire.From Patricia Buckley Ebrey, The Cambridge Illustrated History of China (New York: Cambridge University Press, 1996, 2010), 85.Which of the following claims could be supported by the comparisons in this passage?Choose 1 answer:Choose 1 answer:(Choice A) Rome and Han China were too different to meaningfully compare ARome and Han China were too different to meaningfully compare(Choice B) Rome and Han China had identical empiresBRome and Han China had identical empires(Choice C) Rome and Han China had similar political structures, but there were important differences in their economic and cultural structuresCRome and Han China had similar political structures, but there were important differences in their economic and cultural structures(Choice D) Rome and Han China had similar economic and cultural structures, but there were important differences in their political structuresDRome and Han China had similar economic and cultural structures, but there were important differences in their political structures
Solution
The correct answer is (Choice C) Rome and Han China had similar political structures, but there were important differences in their economic and cultural structures. The passage mentions that both empires had strong governments, expanded geographically, promoted assimilation, and brought stability. They also developed bureaucratic institutions and invested in infrastructure. However, the passage also highlights that China was more profoundly based on crop agriculture, with less emphasis on cities and commerce. Additionally, cultural cohesion was different in Han China than in Rome, possibly due to the Chinese script. Therefore, this suggests that while their political structures were similar, their economic and cultural structures had important differences.
Similar Questions
Between the years 300 BCE and 300 CE, two great empires arose: one surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, the other in China. The rulers of China's Han dynasty extended their power to unite much of what is today's China. The Han created a strong military and expanded trade with far-off peoples over the Silk Road. Similarly, the Romans extended their reach from Rome, in what is today Italy, throughout the area surrounding the Mediterranean Sea in Europe and Africa. The Romans likewise relied on a strong military as they occupied new lands and brought the residents they conquered into the Roman Empire. Both empires built many kilometres of new roads and structures to transport water (canals and aqueducts). Finally, both powerfully influenced the cultures that followed them.Which organisational structure does this text primarily use?
Article written by the historian S.A.M. Adshead and published in an academic journal in 1961.We may talk about “the Chinese and the Roman empires” and use the same word “empire” to describe them both. Are we, however, justified in so doing?Firstly, the Roman empire was maritime, mercantile, urban and militaristic. It was based on the Mediterranean and the unity of the trade routes, crisscrossing the Mediterranean and spilling out into the Black Sea. The [Han] Chinese empire, on the other hand, was territorial, agricultural, rural and civilian. It was based on the river valleys of the [Yellow] and Yangtse and on the unity of agricultural techniques over this area.Secondly, the Roman empire was socially unharmonious, was torn by class conflict, and was highly unstable. The Chinese empire, on the other hand, was socially harmonious, had no irreconcilable class conflicts and was highly stable.
Compare and Contrast How was the Handynasty similar to and different from theQin dynasty
Which of the following was the key to earning a position in the bureaucracy under the Han dynasty?academic achievementpolitical leadershipmilitary prowesshereditary lineagewealth accumulation
Classify and Categorize How did EmperorWudi organize the Han government tomake it stronger?
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