Rome and China

Between them, 2,000 years ago, the Romans and the Chinese dominated almost half of the world. How did their empires work and how were their subjects affected? Visionary leadership, ideology, bureaucracy, sociology, geography: were there common factors to explain the rise and fall of these powers? Comparison clarifies the issues.

2,000 years ago, following centuries of war, 30 per cent of the world's people were subject to either the Romans or the Chinese. To support their peoples, both encouraged technological intensification. Between them, they counted the world's biggest cities. Yet, although both developed legal systems, their modes of government were quite unalike: while China pursued an ambitious vision of centralised regulation, the Romans depended on 'government without bureaucracy'. The Roman paradox can be explained, in part, by very successful propagation of ideas and, in part, on the other hand, by continuing prominence of the army. The Chinese, by contrast, gradually reduced the military's role in public affairs. Yet, although it looks as though that policy was fatal, the Romans eventually lost half of their Empire to invaders too; and, in the perspective of world history, it could be said that the two courses of events were determined by the same fundamental causes.

Can we distinguish those causes? Our explorations will begin with a general assessment of the scope for imperialism in the ancient world. Then, turning to the histories of Rome and China, we consider similarities and contrasts in the respective patterns of development. For both cases, it has long been widely assumed that events were driven by the visions and skills of exceptional leaders; but we must cross-examine this interpretation. We shall then be able to consider the contrasts in modes of government and the balances of public persuasion and force for sustaining the empires. Were they admirable achievements? Were they the effects of contradiction and weakness in either the capitals or the provinces? Was the whole surging struggle of their twin histories merely a response to opportunities or problems that embraced much more of the world than even their two vast territories? 

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes for this course are:

• Enhanced awareness of factors and issues in the history of ancient empires;
• Awareness of the principal features of Roman and early Chinese imperialism;
• Awareness of theoretical and methodological issues in historical comparison;
• To develop an enhanced competence and confidence in assembling, handling and assessing argument and evidence 

Classes

1. Archaic imperialism
2. History, East and West
3. Two modes of administration
4. Ideology and its effects in China and the Roman Empire
5. China and Rome: strong or weak?

Typical week: Monday to Friday

For each week of study you select a morning (Am) and an afternoon (Pm) course, each course has five sessions, one each day Monday to Friday. The maximum class size is 25 students. Your weekly courses are complemented by a series of two daily plenary lectures, exploring new ideas in a wide range of disciplines. To add to the learning experience, we are also planning additional evening talks and events.

Evaluation and Academic Credit 

If you are seeking to enhance your own study experience, or earn academic credit from your Cambridge Summer Programme studies at your home institution, you can submit written work for assessment for one or more of your courses. 

Essay questions are set and assessed against the University of Cambridge standard by your Course Director, a list of essay questions can be found in the Course Materials. Essays are submitted two weeks after the end of each course, so those studying for multiple weeks need to plan their time accordingly. There is an evaluation fee of £65 per essay.

For more information about writing essays see Evaluation and Academic Credit.

Certificate of attendance

A certificate of attendance will be sent to you electronically within a week of your courses finishing.