Political Control of
the Classical Empires
During in the Classical Period, Han China, Imperial Rome, and
Maurya/Gupta India had varying political systems, in large part
due to their social make-up, which they would use to deal with
their unstable border situations. In their later years, each
empire’s inability to manage such a large territory and defend
those extensive borders would ultimately lead to their collapse.
Society Affecting Politic
Systems
• Han China
• Confucianism
• Filial Piety
• Created a Centralized, Close Knit
Political System
• Imperial Rome
• Landowning Citizens and Slaves
• Paterfamilias
• Less Emphasis on a Collective Group
• Maurya/Gupta India
• Hinduism
• Rigid Class Structure
• Disunity Among Ruling Elite,
Especially Local Princes
Controlling the
Borders
• Han China
• Mandate of Heaven, Civil Service Created
Stability (Wu Ti)
• Did Not Constantly Seek Expansion, Only to
Maintain
• Traded for Commodities it Desired, Especially
Horses
• Imperial Rome
• Pax Romana Created Stability
• At the Whims of the Emperor (Augustus,
Nero, Constantine)
• Focus on Expansion and Glory for Rome
• Strained Resources and Manpower
• Maurya/Gupta India
• Expanded Under the Mauryans, Retracted
With the Guptas
• Crossroads of the Silk Roads (Ashoka)
• Princedoms Caused Disunity
Defense of the
Borders
• Han China
• Nomadic Pressures, Used the Tribute
System
• Yellow Turban Rebellion of 184CE
• Impressive Military Technology (Paper,
Crossbow, Horse)
• Imperial Rome
• Nomadic Pressures, Especially From the
Huns
• Internal Strife, Laws Collapsing
• Lack of Technology Due to Slaves (Iron)
• Maurya/Gupta India
• Nomadic Pressures, Huna Peoples
• Use of Longbow Archers
• Internal Competition for Power
Conclusion
• Each empire fell due to the cost of maintaining such an extensive
empire, and protecting their expansive borders.
• Results (Global Context):
• Han China
• Civil Strife for 300 Years Between North and North
• Confucianism
• Imperial Rome
• Dark Ages for Nearly 800 Years
• Twelve Tables
• Maurya/Gupta India
• Regional Kingdoms for 600 Years
• Hinduism