- Ruled China from 206 BCE to 220 CE
- One of the largest and most populous empires in history
- Founded by Liu Bang, a peasant rebel
- Capital was Chang'an (modern Xi'an)
- Economy based on agriculture, trade, and manufacturing
- Developed advanced technology, such as the compass and papermaking
- Confucianism and Buddhism flourished during the Han Dynasty
- Military conquered large areas of Central Asia
- Had a tributary relationship with many neighboring states
- Weakened by corruption, internal strife, and invasions
- Fell apart into three competing states in the 3rd century CE
Roman Empire
- Ruled much of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East from 27 BCE to 395 CE
- One of the largest empires in history
- Founded by Augustus Caesar, the adopted son of Julius Caesar
- Capital was Rome
- Economy based on agriculture, trade, and manufacturing
- Developed advanced technology, such as aqueducts and concrete
- Roman law and government had a lasting impact on Western civilization
- Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire in the 4th century CE
- Military conquered and ruled vast areas of territory
- Faced numerous challenges from Germanic tribes and other enemies
- Divided into two halves, the Western Roman Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire in the 4th century CE
- Western Roman Empire fell to Germanic invaders in the 5th century CE while the Eastern Roman Empire continued until the 15th century CE