Topic > Comparison between Polybius of the Punic Wars and Ssu-ma...

At the end of the 3rd century BC two strong and independent powers existed separately in southeast China in Asia and in central China Mediterranean in Europe, Han dynasty and Rome. Both have reached the highest point of contemporary civilizations. Furthermore, they formed their empires by defeating their own hostile forces. There are significant differences between the two great empires in their process of birth, growth and improvement, in dominant ideologies and institutions, and so on. Before we discover and compare these two civilizations, we must improve our understanding of the authors of these two passages leading people to reveal the unknown but attractive history of Rome and the Han Dynasty. Polybius described and represented Rome at the end of the Punic Wars in his history book. "The importance of Polybius depends not least on the importance of his theme: the rise of Rome", says Frank William Walbank, author of the book “Polybius”. Polybius lived in the critical period of the three Punic wars between Carthage and Rome and was present at the destruction of Carthage and Corinth. He is also one of the officers of the Achaean League who works for the independence of the Peloponnese from the Romans. Polybius' experience made him the most reliable ancient historian of this period. On the other hand, Ssu-ma Ch'ien was another important figure among Chinese historians. He carried forward the work left by his father Ssu-ma Tan to record contemporary history and developed it into a historical masterpiece called "Records of The Historian" which encompassed the history of China and the world as seen from China since the founding of state. until his time. It sets a standard for objective history… mid-paper… on the other hand, the senates have the power to select the judge who decides the rewards and punishments among the people. Thanks to the balance of these three powers, Rome ensured that every plan and need was given careful consideration instead of ignored or without deliberation. In the Han dynasty, the ruling power is Emperor Kao-tsu himself. The significant characteristic of Chinese dynasties is that the governments are all monarchical. Although Kao-tsu had various nobles and generals when he overthrew the Chin Dynasty. He was the only one who could be the emperor. All his followers must acclaim the legality of his position. Rome and the Han Dynasty presented the cultural diversities in different parts of the world. They differ significantly in education, dominant ideologies, and so on. Cultural varieties are the most intriguing and attractive part of the story.