For a brief time in world history, China dominated maritime exploration. Even though quite unintentionally, a previous century’s invention of the magnetic compass played a pivotal and facilitating role and provided Chinese sailors a two-hundred-year head start over their European counterparts. However, it was not until blending those navigational advancements of the day, together with nautical technologies of shipbuilding architecture and propulsion found China readily thrust to the forefront. Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty desired to leverage those technologies to construct an immense armada attesting to the court’s military prowess. Supported by a backdrop of politically favorable winds and a generous endowment, the Emperor commissioned the undertaking of explorations to an experienced Admiral named Zheng He.
The Han Dynasty and the Roman Empire. The Han dynasty Empire and the Roman empire stood large and mighty at the start of the Common Era, with the two kingdoms controlling an unprecedented mass amount of populations under their reign. Both kingdoms rose as predecessors from previous political systems that extended lands under one rule, with the Roman Republic expansion in Europe after the Punic wars and the Qin state achieving conquest over six other nearby states creating the first imperial China in east Asia. The heavy hand of the Qin dynasty and the assassination of Rome’s beloved general, Julius Caesar, by the Roman senate, threw both kingdoms into rebellion, ushering in centuries of imperialistic rule for both in their respective timelines.
Multiple different dynasties controlled the Chinese Empire in this time. The first dynasty, the Han Dynasty, had begun earlier starting in 206 BCE and during the CE time period falling in the year 220 CE. This dynasty was ruled primarily by Emperor Wu Ti, followed by his many successors including Emperor Xian of Han who was the last Emperor of the Han Dynasty. After the fall of the Han Dynasty came a
He imposed extremely harsh punishments for criminals that committed the most outrageous crimes. The three people who were punished by
For example, a bill introduced by Tiberius was without consultation with the Senate, which “was not illegal, but it violated a custom of long standing.” Furthermore, upon receiving a veto by fellow tribune Marcus Octavius, Tiberius had him removed from office with his power, which was unconstitutional. Such actions on his behalf led the Senate to fear his growing alleged tyrant power which eventually led to a revolt in which Tiberius and many of his followers were killed. Similarly, Gaius Gracchus was killed along with his supporters by his political foes as a result of his agrarian reforms that were accumulating a massive public following. These events portray one of the biggest aspects of the Gracchi legacy, which was violence as a means of political resolution.
The Han dynasty and Roman Empire developed approximately around 300 B.C.E- 400 C.E. They both faced a similar issue; they had to figure out a way to govern a vast land. The Han Dynasty’s political authority were highly influenced by their religion. The Roman Empire however were highly influenced by an emperor highly selected by the people.
Gaozu, the founder of the Han dynasty was the first low-ranked official to found a dynasty in imperial China. In 209BC, Gaozu spearheaded the rebellion against the tyrannical practices of the Qin dynasty. The changes enacted by the Han’s first emperor are central to understanding the political rule and authority in Han China due to the fact that the rulers that succeeded him follow suit in a majority of his policies. Throughout
Qin Shi Huang-di is often regarded as a great leader within history. However, he was also paranoid and got rid of anyone who disagreed with him, but without Qin, there might be no China. Furthermore, despite his mixed reputation today, he brought six warring kingdoms together to form the basis of a country that has lasted to this day, an impressive feat that was a huge turning point in Chinese history. Qin’s effect on China and by default, on the other countries of the world was enormous. In fact, his dynasty, the Qin dynasty, even gave China its name (“Shi Huangdi Becomes Emperor”).
Shotoku Tenno of Japan and Emperor Wu Zetian of China were the last fully recognized female rulers in their respective countries; following their multiple reigns the only women in power were those who temporarily ruled in the stead of their young sons. Their reigns were regarded very harshly and both women were held to much higher standards than their male counterparts, primarily due to their refusal to confine themselves to a traditional Confucian woman’s role. Some female historians have argued that this is because of the misogyny in the present-day field, while others have argued that it was caused by a general distaste for change in Confucian culture. The lack of female rule in Japan and China following Shotoku and Wu Zetian can be attributed to the male-written historical rhetoric which depicts women in power as destructive forces.
Sophocles states, “Order you see gods paying respect to evil men? No, no for quite a while some people in the town name. Secretly been muttering against me they don’t agree with what I have decreed” (Scene 1 333-337 Exods). Creon also began to notice that people began to say things behind his back because they did not like that he was deciding and it was bugging him bit because he thought he was doing a good job at leading. Then his punishments
The Han Empire Was Effective The Han empire arose around 206 b.c.e. And lasted about fourteen years. Rebel Liu Bang defeated the Qin empire and began anew with the Han dynasty, starting a rule of stability and wealth. Many believe that the Han empire had an ineffective government but, the other side believed that this empire was effective.
Around 1200 B.C.E, Dynasties chose their rulers or emperors by a system called the Mandate of Heaven. Mandate of heaven was a belief that a higher power like the Gods, would select their ruler. The first Chinese ruler to claim his throne came directly from heaven. This is a belief that was built off of chinese traditions of worshiping their ancestors. If the chosen Emperor fails to be kind and rule by the moral standards of the Gods, natural disasters and rebellions would happen and he would eventually be overthrown.
Throughout my high school experience, I have been fortunate enough to participate in several scientific research opportunities that have helped shape me into the woman I am today. I was a participant of the Massachusetts State Science and Engineering Fair at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as well as a member of the Greater Boston Research Opportunities for Women (GROW) internship at Boston University that exposed me to hands on graduate research. Not only did I learn more about possible career options, I was able to engage my intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm for science. My transition from childhood to adulthood was strengthened through the participation in each science program, as I learned how to be responsible, independent and most rewarding, the ability to respond to failure.
Zheng He’s voyages have been a constant source of controversy in the historical world because of the differing opinions on whether they should be celebrated or not. In July of 1405, Zheng He was given a task to lead a fleet of ships for exploration. This task was assigned to him by Emperor Yongle of China’s Ming Dynasty. Zheng He went on seven separate voyages over the next twenty eight years through the Indian and Pacific Oceans with the largest fleet of wooden ships in history. He navigated his massive fleet from Nanjing along the Chinese coast and through these oceans to explore new lands and bring prosperity to China.
It is because of this view that he conspired to kill Caesar, pursuing his
