Research Paper on "Difference Between Han Dynasty War and Roman Empire"

Research Paper 9 pages (2833 words) Sources: 5 Style: MLA

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Rome and Han

Examination of the similarities behind the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty patently reveals an abundance of differences between the two reigns. After all, both dynasties existed around the same time, during the turn from Before Christ to Anno Domini in the Julian and Gregorian calendar years. Despite the fact that one dynasty occurred throughout Europe and parts of the Mediterranean, while the other was based primarily in Asia (although there were time periods when the Han Dynasty was able to expand its trade to the Mediterranean as well), both empires were typified by a strong military presence, heavy internal conflict, as well as technological and scientific advancements that have left them both highly regarded in history books as well as in their legacies throughout the contemporary world. The primary difference then, between these two factions and the eras which they existed within, can be found in how they went about achieving their similar ends which amounted to, for the most part, a propagation of sovereignty at the expense of their surrounding neighbors. The difference lies in the means in which they sought to achieve these similar ends, and lends itself to a particularly poignant question, had these two dynasties clashed with one another in a military dispute, which would have emerged victorious?

The short answer to such an inquiry can be found in the specific timeframe for which such an answer can be judged for each participant. After all, were one to ask this question in the 6th century A.D., the Han Dynasty would have already been extinct and the Roman Empire just a mere shadow of its former glory, existing in its distant incarnation of the Ottoman Empire. Subsequently, this question becomes more pertinent when it is asked of each dynasty when it was at the height of its respective powers, which may be found, arguably enough, midway through the second century A.D. In order to successfully answer this inquiry, close analysis needs to be conducted into the principle methods by which these respective powers sought to maintain the level of hegemony they achieved.

For the Roman Empire, such dominance was sought and largely achieved through its military might, which actively essayed to control as much of the surrounding planet around it which it possibly could. It would be difficult for the Han Dynasty (or any dynasty, for that matter) to match the sheer tactical brilliance that personified much of the Roman Empire's military campaign. This brilliance, and the devotion and degree of effort it took to achieve and sustain it, is one of the chief differences between the two powers. The principle goal of the Roman Empire was to expand and control areas outside of it through military force, while for the Han Dynasty, the practice of martial force was pragmatic necessity for survival. For the Roman Empire, however, survival often times was the conquering and subjugation of neighboring and even remote, foreign territories.

A look at the levels of expansion between the two empires certainly indicates as much. The Roman Empire's kingdom had begun to expand beyond what is now Italy while it was still governed as a republic; at the height of its powers, the Roman Empire

Spanned roughly 6.5 million kilometers of land surface, encompassing such noteworthy territories which would come to include large parts of what today is known as Germany, Spain, France, and even areas of the United Kingdom (Starr, 670). Its kingdom expanded from continental Europe to include its patrolling of several of the surrounding waterways such as the vast majority of the Mediterranean Sea, frontiers in the Rhine and Danube Rivers, as well as parts of the Black Sea and the Northern Atlantic ocean.

For its part, the Han Dynasty cannot match the sheer expansiveness of such a sprawling, encompassing empire. At its height, the Han Dynasty reached the Tarim Basin of central Asia, which was largely achieved on the strength of a military victory over the nomadic confederation of eastern Eurasian Steppe inhabitants known as the Xiongnu in 200 B.C. (Turchin, Adams, Hall, 220). The Han were able to establish a trade network known as the Silk Road which went as far as the Mediterranean region, but the Chinese dynasty was not subjugating peoples and extending its borders in the sheer amount of distance that the Roman Empire was. The reason, of course, is that while the Roman Empire was largely preoccupied with its external surroundings, the Han were more focused on internal advancements which would be made manifest in realms of science, agriculture and mathematics.

Examination between the practices governing the armed forces and the various stratifications employed to maintain the combative prowess of these two powers will further reinforce this assertion. The vast majority of philosophy, strategy and innovation which the Roman Empire is known for can be found within its military ranks and procedures. The incentives which kept the soldiers of the Roman Empire motivated and eager for combat definitely imply this fact. The armed strength of the Roman Empire revolved around its legions, which were comprised of roughly 6,000 elite, infantry troops assisted by a moderately-sized cavalry. Soldiers had to be of Roman citizenship to enlist in the legions, received a salary and served for 25 years, during which time there was an abundance of opportunity and monetary incentive for them to gain critical experience and combat skills necessary to amass one of the world's leading fighting forces.

Each legion was comprised of 10 cohorts which were ranked in order of the first being the most accomplished on the battlefield as well as in terms of seniority, while the tenth was the least so. Such a ranking, and stratification of military prowess, further served as motivation for soldiers to excel in their trade. Each cohort, in turn, consisted of five double strength centuria which were made up of approximately 800 men and were commanded by a centurion and junior officers. The legions were supported by a group of forces known as the auxilia, who comprised groups of cavalry, light cavalry, and archers. The auxilia were free provincial subjects of the Roman Empire who had been colonized by the Romans, and who could only achieve Roman citizenship, and the accordant privileges such status held, by serving a faithful, productive 25 years in the armed forces as part of the auxilia. Citizenship status and its privileges were also extended to the sons of those who successfully served for 25 years in the auxilia.

In addition to the auxilia, the Roman Empire also had forces known as the Praetorian Guards, which ranked even higher than the legions, and earned the benefits to prove it. The Praetorian Guards were essentially the protectors of the Roman emperors and highest ranking military officers, and were stationed throughout Italy and charged with keeping the peace domestically. Praetorians were paid more than the legions and were mandated to serve less time (16 years as opposed to 25) while protecting the Empire's principle interests, its leaders, at home. In addition to the Praetorians there was also the navy of the Roman Empire, which patrolled those bodies of waters previously mentioned and were ranked in prestige lower than the soldiers on land.

What must be noted, however, is the degree of dedication and focus the Roman Empire placed on its military branches. Conquered subjects could essentially become one of their conquerors by successfully conquering and subjugating others by serving in the Roman Empire. Competitive salaries and ranking prestige would certainly motivate native Roman citizens to battle and achieve as much as they could in matters of war. Couple these tendencies with the decided political focus of Rome which was to expand its power, territory, and citizenship to annex foreign lands, and the degree to which the Roman Empire expanded can be more easily discerned and understood. The Roman Empire was largely a martial society, with the subjects, citizens and soldiers to prove it.

By comparison, the armed forces in the Han Dynasty were decidedly different, particularly in terms of the selection of soldiers employed during belligerent encounters. Whereas serving in the Roman Empire was socially perceived as a boon and one of the most popular career of choices, the Han Dynasty employed a draft for all non-noble males initially from the age of 23, then later from the age of 20 (Chang 70). The level of motivation, incentives, and the glory which Roman soldiers were able to anticipate (particularly for capturing new territories and colonizing new subjects) simply was not there for the Han Dynasty, whose conscripted troops were assigned to a year of training in one of three branches of service including the infantry, cavalry, and the navy, before enduring a year of service in which they were not paid either in the king's court or as part of the Minister of the Guards in the capital of the empire. By contrast, a relatively diminutive army was paid and was deployed near the capital.

Other disincentives for the Han Dynasty military… READ MORE

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