Roman Attitude Towards Technology Dbq

Thesis: During the Han Dynasty, techonogy was almost exclusively viewed positively, while in the Roman Empire, the attitude regarding technology varied.

Many people argue that the culture of the Ancient Romans reflect that of the United States today. While there have been many advancements over the course of the years, a few basic principles still apply and can be seen in the United States today. Although there a few key differences that can be seen between the two cultures, it is important that one focuses on similarities to see how the United States has developed as a whole. Roman culture was similar to what the United States is today by the form of government and types of entertainment.

The Roman Empire and the United States of America both developed to be large and powerful civilizations in their time periods. With the Rome Empire being in power well a thousand years before the United States of America were even English colonies let alone a growing a country, you would think that the would be very different in all aspects. This is true for many aspects for the two civilizations, but a few aspects share similarities between the two. One of these aspect is the military policy that both civilizations had. The military policy that these two civilizations had impacted them in different and similar ways.

Both groups believed that technology was necessary, and they used it to advance their society. Both civilizations used technology for waterways and water regulation. The Han emphasized the importance of waterways and engineering needs. (Document 1) In this specific document the Han express that technology is an essential part of society. The Romans used technology for water regulation, and the aqueducts. “The abundance of water is sufficient not only for public and private uses and applications but truly even for pleasure.” (Document 8) In this document the Romans address technology in a way that shows how they used it to advance their society.

I believe the Roman culture was the best example of cultural diffusion because of the massive amount of people going in and out of the country. Without this amount of people entering and exiting the country there would no diffusion. In other words, without anyone leaving and entering the country there would be no way for these traits and ideas of the Roman society to spread across the rest of the world.

Attitudes towards technology in the Han and Roman empires differed greatly in terms of importance to life. The Roman Empire thought that technology was beneficial, but not necessary. The Romans were divided by social classes and concentrated more on mathematics and sciences, looking down on people who performed labor and used technologies for laboring. The Han Empire had a more positive attitude towards manufacturing and labor. The Han relied heavily on agriculture and thought that tools and water systems were necessary to reduce labor.

At the beginning of the First Millennium The Romans and the people of the Han both extensively used technology to better themselves and eventually all of humanity. The Han empire in China placed more value on technology and technological enhancements then the Roman Empire did, proven by the constant concern of the Han dynasty over the indifference and almost disregard of the Romans. The Han were more accepting and open to technological advancements because they valued the farmers, and common people who they believed helped benefit society however, the Roman were only concerned with the upper class due to their dividing and conflicting social classes of Particans and Plebeians therefore their view of technology was that it was considered unimportant.

The Han Dynasty’s attitude toward technology was influenced by the things that were needed by its people. Rome thought that technology was necessary, but also a way to show how exceptional their civilization really was. Both the Han and the Romans attitudes toward technology can be revealed through their inventions. Both self-glorifying, the Han and the Romans used technology as an asset. Though the Han were more focused on the benefit of their people rather than the image of their empire, unlike the

A golden age is a period of time when an empire thrives. It thrives socially, economically, and politically. Both Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome experienced a golden age. Ancient Rome’s Golden Age was called the Pax Romana. Pax Romana means “roman peace”. Both golden ages concluded with the fall of their empire.

During this era, both the Han Empire and the Roman Empire rised above and proved they were the strongest and while having the most powerful empires. Although their methods of reaching the highest point in power they didn't both get there the same way but in many ways, they compare. Both empires believed in power vested in the wealthy which gave the mandate to control. The Han Empire and the Roman Empire shared similar political structures that centered around everything. Both empires shared the belief in religious practices, economic values, and social practices. They were known to show power through public works such as protective walls, bridges, roads, and canals. Both empires really emphasized the importance of family. The empires both strongly

To start off, Rome did not succeed in controlling its empire through technology. They managed to develop trading skills but overall, they were far less developed than other countries. Especially when comparing the Romans and the Han, it is clear who achieved more. Again, Rome developed trading and other simple skills. While they were busy doing that, the Han people were inventing paper. From then on, that invention was used every day and “revolutionized Chinese life” (Han Cornell Notes). Not only that but, the Han also used their resources to their advantage and used collar harnesses, plows, and wheelbarrows to help improve farming. All in all, the Han used technology to control its empire

Rome was a city that inspired people in more ways that not. "Rome fell but its legacy lived on." After the Eastern Roman Empire fell in 1453 A.D., people wanted to mimic their legacies because it gave them dignity and nobility. A legacy is "the mark that that you leave that you're remembered for." ("Roman Legacies"). In other words, it is a motivation or inspiration. The reason people loved Rome was because of what the Romans gave them. There is the legacy of Roman Art, Roman Architecture and Engineering, Roman Language and Writing, and last but definitely not least, the legacy of Roman Philosophy, Law, and Citizenship. The Roman legacy that has the greatest impact on society today is a clear choice: Roman Philosophy, Law, and Citizenship. I strongly believe this because without their philosophy, law, and citizenship were would we be today?

"Rome fell but its legacy lived on" from the Roman Empire it is the Roman laws, their philosophy, and the citizenship given to the people that have had the greatest and one of the most important impacts on society.This quote meant that the Roman Empire had fallen but their traditions, events, and the things they did continue but in a different way today. How they did their architecture, a lot of what we do was first based off the Roman's and how they built structures. They had laws and enforcers of those laws like we have laws and policeman to enforce them and make sure no one breaks them. They have a lot of statues that we have based modern day sculpting off of, also how they gave Roman citizenship to everyone in the Roman empire and we

Technology has a major role in human expansion. Empires all over the world have thrived with technology. Even so, some argue that technology has had negative effects. Others disagree and believe that technology has benefited society. There is a positive attitude towards technology when it has helped not only the people but also contributed to environment aesthetics. The Han had a positive attitude towards technology that is linked with tools and water. On the other hand, the Romans had negative views about technology that was associated with tools and had more positive views about transportation.

The ancient Roman saying states: All roads lead to Rome! And this was true, in this essay I will show what great achievements and inventions happened during the plus minus 500 years from 27 Before Common Era, to 476 Common Era, in the Roman Empire and argue how these achievements and inventions still have influences in our everyday life and the modern world we live in today. Of course the Roman Empire consisted of more than just Roads, the Roman legislative system, their customs and traditions, religions, social structure, political system, art, architecture, writing, philosophy, citizenship, language use and military advancements held their Empire and their citizens together. I will reflect and show, how some of these tools the Romans used almost 2000 years ago, still live on through us today.