Comparisons for Motivations and Perceptions towards Empire in Rome, China, and Greece - Essay Example

Lecturer: World History Final Paper Comparisons for Motivations and Perceptions towards Empire in Rome, China (Qin/Han), and Greece (Athens and Alexander) More than one-half of the human species for the past decades were restricted within two political systems, one of which was the Roman kingdom and another one was the Han kingdom. Therefore, a large proportion for the humanity was ruled by two governments. In the Roman monarchy, the union had primarily been made possible by colonization and the establishment of the Persian realm. This was afterward accelerated by the capture of Alexander the Great followed by the formation of Hellenistic successor state to the Persian territory, which was eventually conquered over by the Roman monarchy. Rome achieved unification by establishing hegemony but rapid unification was brought about by the Qin state, which also eventually turned Han Empire and continued to expand its tribal periphery. Although the Roman, Greece and Chinese civilization developed independently, they both shared diverse religious aspects and structural similarities, which were moderate by cultural specifics. The Roman Empire developed independently, but they shared varied religious aspects and structural similarities, which were moderated by civilizing specifics with the Chinese and Grecians society. The Roman Empire made significant achievements especially the Roman architectures were amongst the great achievements in Rome. Roman civilizations had knowledgeable citizens and they called an experienced person Catus1. The early Roman achieved a balanced a foreign guiding principle and the balance in the distribution of relative capabilities took place at numerous times. The perception towards religion and culture in the Roman Empire is somehow different from that of the Greece and China civilization. The Roman Empire stretched out and came to embrace people from varied religions and civilizations. The number of idol worshipers in Rome was high and deities were accepted in the civilization. The Roman government ended to be tolerant to many religious and practices and cults; however, some religions especially the Early Christian were persecuted due to political reasons. The Early Christian epoch had perception toward the monarch that it was the duties of the sovereign to utilize the worldly power in enforcing religious harmony. Therefore, in the Roman church, anyone who did not pledge to the Catholic Christianity was perceived as a menace to the supremacy and religious practices. The ancient Chinese political system was remarkably stable unlike the Roman political system, which was unstable due to conflicts especially conflicts between the Early Christianity religion and the Roman state. However, many Roman had experienced people; thus the Roman civilization grew much bigger and far economically better than China. The research study indicates that the perception towards religion and culture in the Roman Empire is somehow different from that of the Greece and China civilization and both civilizations were developed independently2. War has been one of the powerful aspects for significant changes and it is noted for political constraints of warfare across the globe; thus war contributed also to varied structural similarities among the three empires, which includes Rome, Greece and China. The Chinese civilization had great emperors who were politically motivated to create change and build a great a nation; thus many of them had perception that to be victorious, one should employ good tactics in order to conquer the enemy. The Grecians declared their resolution of joining with Alexander and this made them to conquer many cities because they were politically motivated by the actions of Alexander the Great. The art of war has been one of the influential military in world history and it is noted for political constraints of warfare across varied nations including Rome, Greece, China; thus Sun-Tzu argued that the art of war is of great significant to the nation3. The art of war is governed by varied constant factors such as moral law, earth, heaven, the commander, method and discipline; thus all these needs to be taken into considerations (Sun-Tzu 6). For instance, the ethical law requires citizens to be in absolute harmony with their leader; thus follow him in spite of any menace in their lives. Therefore, the five factors should be recognizable to everyone and anyone who knows them will be successful. All warfare is based on deception and good fighters should employ effective tactics to enable them defeat their enemy. Sun-Tzu argues that security against defeat implies defensive tactics and the ability to death enemies means taking offensive; thus he quotes that “one may know how to conquer without being able to do it”4. According to 5Shun Tzu, the ancient Chinese called a witty fighter as someone who not only succeeds in the battle but also excels in winning without any difficult. Both ancient rulers in China and Rome had perception that victory can bring to one neither reputation for wisdom nor credit for courage but a clever fighter should fight in order to conquer the enemy. A clever fighter was encouraged not to make mistakes but rather establish the certainty of victory for this means conquering and defeating an enemy. The Chinese saw varied periods of hegemonic control through one power over much of the region; thus, the state Chu, Qui, Wei and many others made their bids for supremacy but they fell one after another. Furthermore, the future unifier Qin was weaker than the other great powers such as Alexander the great; thus Qin lost some strategic territories to the hegemonic power. The Chinese civilization had great emperors who were politically motivated to create change and build a great a nation and this is also similar to the Roman and Greece civilization. Qin Shi Huangdi was the earliest Chinese ruler to create significant change in the Han Empire. Qin Shi started constructing the Mount Li Mausoleum and after he had united the world, more than 700, 000 workforces were sent to China in order to complete the construction feature6. Qian motivated people by arguing that a brave a man only dies once and he does not always die for honor because even the coward has to fulfill his duty; thus he uttered “the brave man does not always die for honor7. Qian also argues that each person whether the wise or a coward may take a different way to exert himself, there are also need to know the difference between what ought to be followed and what not to be followed or rejected. The Greek states also had great empires such as the Alexander the Great but they turned to Rome when Antiochus III conquered most of Asia Minor and invaded European Greece. Greece state was enthusiastic to intercede because the council deemed it significant in keeping European Greece a defense zone against the Macedonian powers. The Athens, Rhodes and also Pergamum offered considerable support to the Romans when they decided to force Antiochus from Greece after some Greek polities went to Antiochus. They feared what Antiochus might do in case Greece was successful in what was their plan of establishing a hegemony, which would stretch from Afghanistan to the Adriatic. Roman defeated Antiochus in the war that was declared among them and the republic of Antiochus withdrew all its forces back to Italy. The Greek hegemony appeared to have worked; however, due to the critical intrusion of a power formerly outside the system. In addition, several aspects about Alexander the king have been raised, thus he is perceived as great king because of his actions. Alexander descended from Hercules and his father was assassinated when he was twenty years old; however, this was the period when he succeeded to the sovereignty inundated on all side with great dangers and revengeful enemies8. The nations that surrounded Macedonia were annoyed of being governed by other kings because they only wanted their own inhabitant princes; thus, the nation has been successful over the Grecians. However, the time had not yet been sufficient for princes to complete their conquest. It appeared to the Macedonians a very significant occasion; thus some of them convinced Alexander the king to give up all through maintaining the Grecians in subjection by military but rather to try to attain success in revolution. Moreover, the Grecians affirmed their decree of joining with Alexander soon after the Grecians unified the Isthmus. Alexander contributed to varied changes in Greece and he conquered many cities including the Macedonia and many others. The Conflicts between the Roman State and the Early Christians, and the Antagonism between Them and Ways Conflicts Resolved Itself Theologically and Politically Religion stems from the teaching of Jesus in the first century; thus it is sacred scripture is the bible especially the New Testament. The Christianity religion was originally a movement of Jews, who accepted Christ as their messiah, but the movement quickly became primarily Gentiles; thus, St, Paul was the first Christian missionaries and theologians to shape the early church. Historians have attempted to reconstruct the main facts of the relationship between the Roman state and the early church in order to create awareness or understandings on the way Christianity religion was brought to the Roman state9. The early Christian church first emerged in history and self-governing fellowship communities that finally spread across the territory and beyond its boundaries. Christianity religion arose faster because of unity and Christians believed that they belong to the same body since they had been both born by its members. Christians believed that they belonged to the same body because they all had been born into the same new life. Christian communities received extensive protection for the royal leaders but they became subject to the control of state after the drastic change of the bill. The emperor began to utilize their political authority in sustaining unity among Christians, often imposing severe penalties to those believed to be on the wrong part. Even though Christians were persecuted by the Roman authorities, Christian Roman Empire especially during the reign of Constantine I led to varied changes by introducing anti-pagan laws, which created conflicts between Christians and the Roman state. The earlier church was persecuted under the Roman Empire but it was supported by the first Christian emperor to enter into power known as Constantine I. Even though Christians were persecuted, Christian Roman Empire especially during the reign of Constantine the Great created varied changes by supporting Christians and helping them to spread the gospel across the globe. The Christian Roman Empire persecuted pagans and the Constantine I passed the anti-pagan laws; thus he also ordered the closure and destruction of pagan temples. The Christian Roman Empire also forbade pagan sacrifices and removed the cultural altar of victory from senate and this contributed to conflicts with the Roman authorities in the state. Indeed, the first century presents varied difficulties encounter in dealing with historical issues especially the introduction of early Christianity in Rome. For instance, the four canonical gospels such as the gospel of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are said to be contemporaneous accounts of the life of Jesus Christ. Moreover, given the contradicting stories of the life of Jesus, historians have no option but rather conclude that a few of the narratives must be imaginary history. Christianity lies in the teaching of Jesus Christ, which from every perspective involved complications of some sorts and conflicts with the Roman authorities. Most problematic of Christian teachings is the arrays of accounts well known as the gospels, which present varied teachings of Jesus Christ. The so called Gnostic gospels cover a very dissimilar image of Christ from that of the conformist Christians visualized10; thus, historians tend to steer a wide course that rotates around the life of Christ. There is no current Jewish or Roman count constitutes primary or external evidence of the actual life events of Christ; however, the adjoining information is stated by the Roman historians, Tacitus, who was the greatest historian of early colonial Rome. Tacitus was Roman historian with outstanding oratorical ability and he was a praetor under Domitian11. His strong political views were established under Domitian, but he withdrew from Rome during the worst terror period of the emperor. According to Kirby, the birth of Jesus Christ was predicted; thus he quotes” for out of these shall come forth a governor”12 and this is where the historians rely on the gospel of Mathew to explain his life account. The relationship between the church and the Roman state remains a continuing problem since the introduction of the earlier church up to the present. The earlier church was persecuted under the Roman Empire and conflicts a rose due to poor relationship between the Roman state and Christianity religion. The problem of relationships of the state and church remains a challenging issue because of the fundamentals rules that are being followed by Christians, which seems to be conflicting with the state laws. The history for this problem has been a chaotic one starting from the introduction of Christianity in the first century. The antagonism between the state and early church rose due to conflicts issues about the teachings of Christ in way that drew a difference between emperor and God. This fact did not prevent the imperial condemnation to the death of Christ on the cross and the struggle continued when Paul wrote from Rome during the tyranny of Nero that the existing authorities are insulted by God. The conflicts emerged when St. Peter wrote on the same time from Babylon advising Christians particularly those prone to the worship of idols in the Roman Emperor. Peter argued people to fear God and honor emperor, something that contributed to Christian persecution; thus they were dragged before the judges and kings because Christians were seen as the enemy of state liable for capital punishment. The conflicts among the Christian and the Roman states arose; thus contributing to enmity and increased persecution. For instance, in the letter that was by written by Pliny to Trajan Emperor, Pliny presented some question regarding the kind of punishment that should be required or how far it should be carried out13. Pliny wanted to understand the legal prosecutions and how stringiest is was to be persecuted to a person claiming to be a Christian; thus contributing to enmity between Christians and the head of the state. Moreover, the objectives of the Roman Emperors were commendable and they wished to uphold tranquility and harmony; however, they used old unredeemed world techniques in preserving harmony, and the outcomes were fatal. The more they used force, the more the disagreements with Christians; hence contributing to more conflicts until the church was split up into varied hostile bodies. The research study indicates that most of the church divisions were contributed by state and unpredictable divergences among the Christian church members14. Many Christians were persecuted and varied conflicts led to the split of the church into varied religion. Christianity is the largest religion across the globe but due to conflicts that arose in the early church because of disunity in the church; thus many Christians divided and other churches were formed including the Roman Catholic and many others. The conflict between the Roman civilization and the Early Christians resolved itself theoretically through radical change in the church. Christianity enter into historical accounts with St. Paul’s writings being earliest database documents for Christians; thus with time, the new religion slowly spread across the Roman world. Theology became one of the major subjects where theologians helped to teach other regarding the issue of Christianity. They relied on the Bible teachings and interpretations in order to enable people to understand Christianity; hence solving conflicts. For instance, the Bible Acts especially in the first book of Acts, it offer the teaching of Christ and what he did, as well as, taught until the day he ascended into heaven; thus Jesus quoted, “the Father has set by his own authority” 15. Although political aspects and power of Roman Empire stood against those who professed against Christianity, both forces underwent radical change, a mutation which found the Empire and the church in mutual patronage and support. The relation between the Christian community and the Roman authorities indicated an entire change of direction, a transformation that resolved conflicts through drastic change. Additionally, even though foreign rulers may have held ultimate authority during the Roman Empire era, the highest internal position in the country was that of the high priest in Jerusalem. This was the period when the vulnerable practices of priestly monarchy changed with the ascension of Herod the Great who ushered in one of the most disruptive era in the second temple era for the high priesthood. Herod was wary of the potential power of a strong high priesthood but he lacked a political following or agenda; thus he maintained a revolving door policy in relation to the high priesthood. For instance, the story of Alexander the king of Cesar attempts to reveal great political actions and these actions resolved the conflicts politically. According to Plutarch, the great battled made a significant change of affairs to Alexander the king; thus he was considered Alexander the Great because he conquered many enemies. Bibliography Christian Counter. Bible Acts, 2012, p. 1-39. Johnson, Lawrence J. Worship in the Early Church: An Anthology of Historical Sources. Collegeville, Minn: Liturgical Press, 2009. Kirby, Peter. “The Gospel According to St. Matthew”, Early Christian Writings, 2001, p. 1-34. Plutarch. Marcus Cato, 2012. P. 1-17. Plutarch. Alexander, 2012, p. 1-20. Qian, Sima. Historical Records of Sima Qian, 1st century BCE, n.d, p. 1-4. Secundus, Plinius G. Pliny the Younger: Letters on the Christians, n.d, p. 1-2. Sun Tzu, Sun Zi. Chinese Cultural Studies: The Art of War, 2012, p.1-6. Tacitus, Cornelius. Tacitus, n.d, p. 1-15. Read More