Their agricultural strength was another component that added to the empire’s power. Trade was also important in the Muslim world. The Islamic people traded across the silk roads, linking once again China and the Mediterranean basin. Agricultural production would increase the amount of cities in the Arabs making refined business practices a necessity. This would cause the establishment of banks and the sakk, a forerunner of checks.
While both the Chinese and Roman empires conquered other lands, the Romans were more humane towards their conquered subjects. The Romans’ humane behavior towards conquered subjects led to more internal stability and also a lower chance of revolt. Han China conquered the regions of the Korean peninsula and of Vietnam; however, Han China enjoyed uncontested hegemony over these regions. Imperial Rome did not levy taxes on conquered subjects as opposed to Han China. Both empires allowed their citizens to contribute to the empire; however, they did so by different means.
This bond lead to Roman citizens to be much more supportive of people, and created an organized society. This way of living lead Rome’s government to being more politically strengthened and less centralized. Han China and Imperial Rome differed in their way of selecting political leaders, but both empires had someone in power to watch over their empires. The Mandate of Heaven and divinity from nature applied when choosing the Han China emperor. Throughout the tears, emperors were chosen from heredity genes.
Therefore, he divided the people in the Roman territory into districts and townships depending on location, with the four in the city called city tribes while in other in other parts called rural tribes, and all paid taxes and served in the military. He also organized people into classes called centuries, with regard to their wealth. Although this arrangement was meant for military purposes, it transformed to the political character, with the wealthiest level of century becoming the political and the legislative body. This arrangement saw Rome be stronger, more united, better organized than before, and gain power over its
Wu worked to increase authority and prestige of the central government. Bureaucrats made up 0.2 percent of China's population, Wu made the bureaucrats pass an examination. He also made a school to train men for the examinations. Also, Han China was based on classes. On the other hand Imperial Rome's ruler, Julius Caesar fought for respect.
Also Augustus made policies that helped established a sense of peace within Rome. Augustus’ economic reforms were the most important policies he made that helped established this sense of “peace”. For example Augustus taxed Rome as a whole instead of each province differently which was something that his predecessors did. In doing this Rome’s net revenue increased. In Pax Mongolia the origins of the peace were slightly different.
The political effects of Mongol rule in China and the Middle East were similar in their leadership. In China and in the Middle East Mongols served as governers and conquerors. The Mongols knew that just conquering the regions would only temporarily benefit them. So they became governors as well to be able keep control of such large regions. This was also a way for the Mongols to ensure their government was stable and trustable instead of having others govern the state.
But after the collapse of Rome, Persia, and Han or classical societies, trading fell. In addition to, once the Mongols took power in 1200 CE, trade along the Silk Road increased. This is because of the safety of the Silk Road because the Mongols protected it. Interactions on the Silk Road changed as related to amount of trading because different societies had different economies and different technologies. Classical societies traded in the Silk Road because it was the fastest and cheapest to do.
This change brought about more benefit for both regions. It allowed both regions to thrive as it relates to the process of trading, and to help their respective region to advance and gain more resources to aid them in military events as well as their everyday lives. Inversely, this extension of areas of trade benefited the new area they were trading with, by aiding them in the advancement and industrialization of their country. So, this change really was beneficial (much like it was for the Silk Road in China), not only for the Mediterranean region and West Africa, but also for the region that they were now trading
These rivers helped farmers with transportation, which then helped their agriculture grow. As the society became more advanced the people started to have responsibilities. Such as priests communicated with the gods, rulers led and governed, warriors defended the greater community, artists helped define record, and enhance the power of mortals as well as the gods (p.61). Art then became a way of communication with the gods. Though Mesopotamia and Egypt were alike there were some differences between the two.