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 * What Makes an Empire?**

Rafael Lefort is a game designer who wants to create a new //Age of Empires//-style video game for Han China and Imperial Rome. To help Mr. Lefort decide which features of each empire he should travel back in time to visit and include in his game, you'll need to research each dynasty and present your key findings on the following questions:

= **Key Questions:** =
 * 1) What is the difference between an ‘empire’ and a ‘civilization'?
 * 2) What are some of the major similarities and differences between the Roman Empire and Han Dynasty?
 * 3) Why are the Han Dynasty and Roman Empire important to World History?

=Resources= Your research will be confined to the following web resources and library databases. If you wish to use a resource not on this list you must seek approval from your teacher.

**Rome**
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 * China **
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 * __ [|http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/CHEMPIRE/FORMHAN.HTM] __
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 * Library Databases **
 * @http://www.micdslibrary.com/databases.html

Scroll down to the History/Social Studies menu; the ABCCLIO Ancient World History database is particularly helpful.

=Research and Citations= Use the space below to record your research for each question. Remember that you will need to cite your sources using the format found on the MICDS Library resource page.

What is the difference between an ‘empire’ and a ‘civilization'?
An empire is a vast domain consisting of many countries and peoples of different ethnic groups. All of the countries or states are under rule by the strongest nation where the emperor or ruler resides. The name empire is derived from the Latin word 'command.' A civilization develops when people came together to form cities. Prior to this, people were nomads, roaming around looking for a place with the most animals to hunt and plants to eat. People eventually learned to farm and raise their own animals settling in one place. As more people congregated in one area they became to call them cities. A government system was created by chosen leaders who made rules for the people of the each city. The main difference between an empire and a civilization is:
 * An empire is geographically broad land group consisting of different countries and peoples held together by the strongest country-state **under rule by an emperor**.
 * A civilization is a one single city organized by a **government system consisting of chosen leaders** within the city.

=== What are some of the major similarities and differences between the Roman Empire and Han Dynasty? === There are more similarities than differences between the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty. The major similarity between the two are that they were each ruled by an emperor and became large and powerful societies. The Han Dynasty, dominated by a series of emperors from the same family that ruled ancient China for over 400 years. Under the Han Dynasty, China grew to the size of the Roman Empire. The Han Dynasty was divided into two eras; the 'Former' or 'Western' lasting from 206 B.C.E. to A.D. 8 and the 'Later' or 'Eastern' lasting from 25 to 220 A.D. Like the Han Dynasty, the Roman Empire was ruled by emperors and the power was passed from generation to generation. The earliest years of the Roman Empire started off with violence and brutality. Roman emperors ruled with a heavy hand so as to make people believe they were the strongest. Both the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty had very strong military presence which allowed for powerful conquests and lead to the expansion of their kingdoms. Therefore, road systems were developed and travel became easier to further trade. The social structure within each kingdom was comparable with the respective rulers sitting on top. Economics, technology, culture, and social progress thrived in the Han Dynasty, as well as the Roman Empire. The major difference between the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty was their religious beliefs. In the Han Dynasty, Confucianism was established as the preferred religion. Buddhism was introduced in China by monks traveling from India and Taoism merged with popular superstitions and increased in popularity. In contrast, the Roman religion was based on the Latin word 'religio; something that binds'. This belief had the impact of bounding families together, subjects to their ruler and men to gods. In addition, cult worship, Judaism and Christianity existed. Geography was another difference that helped Rome have more access to trade due to its proximity to the Mediterranean Sea and therefore helped the Roman Empire expand further.

Why are the Han Dynasty and Roman Empire important to World History?
The Han Dynasty and the Roman Empire are very significant to World History due to the fact that they grew to be the two biggest empires in the world. Trade amongst different groups of people furthered economics, technology, culture, and social progress. Modern day technologies are helped by such inventions as the Roman aqueduct irrigation system and the Chinese calculator. But forms of dictatorships cause rebellions and conflicts between groups of people. These are all reasons for why the Han Dynasty and the Roman Empire are important to World History. We can learn from their accomplishments to make our world better and learn from their mistakes so that we can perfect them instead of repeat them.

Similarities and Differences
Before deciding which dynasty your client should visit, you may wish to create a simple Venn Diagram to compare/contrast the two empires. You may use [|this template] or create one online at Read-Write-Think.

=== Which features of each empire should Mr. Lefort travel back in time to visit and include in his game? Why? === Mr. Lefort should visit a Han Dynasty temple and a Roman temple to learn about each type of religious worship. Both of these temples may be interesting and beautiful, but each stood for different reasons. Mr. Lefort should use the Han Dynasty Confucianism as a base for a game revolving around philosophy and ethical ideals compared to the Roman religious belief of oppressing people binding them to their ruler. This comparison can teach the idea of humanity and the concept of "do not do unto others what you would not have them do unto you."

= **Travel Poster Components:** =

You will create a travel poster for each of the two empires. Each poster should be attractive, persuasive, and highlight the major features related to your topic. You will create the posters using Glogster.edu (instructions will be provided in class) and they should contain the following components:

__**Travel Poster Components**__
 * 1) One Glogster.edu poster for each empire
 * 2) At least three "must see" tourist features to include in the game for each empire that characterize what it means to be an empire with detailed text and relevant images
 * 3) At least one audio recording for each empire

The **[|Poster Rubric]** will be used to evaluate your work; you should refer to it before handing in your final product. When you have completed the poster, embed it below the "Travel Poster" heading below:

Travel Poster
//embed your poster here by copying the embed code from Glogster and adding an HTML widget//

= **Oral Presentation Guidelines** = The presentation is your opportunity to explain the importance of Han China and Imperial Rome and should follow these guidelines:


 * 1) Less than 3 minutes in length
 * 2) Should address/explain the "must see" features of each empire that should be included in the game
 * 3) Should explain why each empire is important to world history

This presentation is about speaking skills and the use of your poster. You will be permitted to use notecards but are NOT to simply read your notes to the audience. The **[|Presentation Rubric]** will be used to evaluate your work; you should refer to it before giving your final presentation.