Course Progress
Part of 2 Chapters
Chapter 2
Age of Empires & Philosophies: Greco-Roman vs. Qin-Han
#Polis#Direct Democracy#Roman Law#Hundred Schools of Thought#Legalism#Centralization
Chapter 2: History of Everywhere - Western ‘Freedom’ and Eastern ‘Order’
Following the development of ancient civilizations, the East and West evolved distinct governing philosophies to maintain large-scale communities. The West moved toward “individual participation and law,” while the East advanced toward “strong centralization and Confucian order.”
1. Ancient Western States: Classical Antiquity
(1) Greek Polis and Athenian Democracy
- Polis: Independent city-state communities.
- Athenian Democracy: The origin of ==Direct Democracy==. All adult male citizens participated in the assembly () to decide policies.
- Philosophy: Exploration of human reason by Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.
(2) Rome: Completion of Law and Empire
- Roman Republic: A political system seeking a balance of power between aristocrats and commoners.
- Roman Law: Foundations of universal law systematized under the principle that “The law exists, but favoritism does not.”
- Imperialization: Integration of vast territories through strong military power and road networks (“All roads lead to Rome”).
2. Ancient Eastern States: The Imperial Era
(1) Hundred Schools of Thought: The Golden Age of Philosophy
Numerous thinkers emerged to resolve the chaos of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods.
- Confucianism: Confucius, Mencius. Governance through morality and ritual.
- Legalism: Shang Yang, Han Fei. Maintenance of order through strict ==Rule of Law== and rewards/punishments.
(2) Qin and Han: Establishment of the Centralized Empire
- Qin: Completed the first unified empire based on Legalist thought. Implemented the ==Junxian System== (Commandery-county system) and standardized weights and measures.
- Han: Relaxed the harsh Legalism of Qin and adopted Confucianism as the state ideology, setting the standard for Eastern politics for 2,000 years.
3. Comparative Analysis: East vs. West
| Comparison Item | West (Greco-Roman) | East (Qin-Han) |
|---|---|---|
| Political System | Democracy → Republic → Empire | Centralized Absolute Monarchy |
| Governing Principle | Rule by ==Citizenship== and Law | Rule by ==Mandate of Heaven== and Bureaucracy |
| Social Structure | Based on Contract and Private sphere | Based on Rites and Public order |
| Cultural Foundation | Human-centered Rationalism | Order-centered Moralism |
Key Checklist
- What is the form of government in ancient Athens where citizens directly participated in state affairs? (Answer: Direct Democracy)
- What is the collective name for the various thinkers and schools that emerged during the Warring States period? (Answer: Hundred Schools of Thought)
- What was the system where the Qin Emperor suppressed local powers and governed directly by dispatching officials from the center? (Answer: Junxian System)