Austin+S


 * Religion in Han China and Imperial Rome**

Misty Fy is motivational speaker keenly interested in the religious practices in Han Dynasty China and Imperial Rome. An avid reader of self-help books, including "10 Days to Defeat Dystopia" and "Happiness CAN Be Bought", Ms. Fy believes that internal motivation comes from external sources. To help her decide which dynasty to visit, you will need to research answers to the following key questions:

= **Key Questions:** =
 * 1) What type of religion existed in the Roman Empire and Han Dynasty?
 * 2) How much of an influence did religion have in both places? Describe the impact, whether negative or positive, religion had on China and Rome?
 * 3) Describe the religious practice and form of worship that existed in the Han Dynasty and Roman Empire?
 * 4) Why and how did the Roman Empire move from a polytheistic religion to a set of beliefs focused on Christianity and monotheism?
 * 5) How did Confucianism influence the Han Dynasty?
 * 6) Which empire should Ms. Fy, a motivational speaker, visit? Why?

=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**
 * []
 * []
 * []
 * __http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/cultural/oldworld/europe/ancient_roman_culture.html__
 * __http://chalk.richmond.edu/education/projects/webunits/greecerome/__


 * China **
 * []
 * __http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/china/early_imperial_china/han.html__
 * __http://gallery.sjsu.edu/silkroad/civilization.htm__
 * __http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/hand/hd_hand.htm__
 * __http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/CHEMPIRE/FORMHAN.HTM__
 * __http://www.international.ucla.edu/asia-archive/lessons/zarou/WSHan.htm__


 * 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 type of religion existed in the Roman Empire and Han Dynasty?
Han China: __**Chinese Folk Religion**__-a collective label for the various folkloric beliefs practiced by the Han people, involves worship of various deities in Chinese Mythology folk heroes such as //Guan Yu// and //Qu Yuan//, mythological creatures such as the //Chinese Dragon//, or simply ones own ancestors. These practices vary from region to region, and do not characterize an organized religion, though many traditional chinese holidays such as the //Duan Yu// ( or Dragon Boat) Festival,//Qing Ming// and the //Mid Autumn Festival// come from the most popular of these traditions. __**Buddism**__- Hans adapted their own form of Buddism called "Chinese Buddism" __**Taoism**__-//Taoism// was the state religion of the early Han Dynasty.Around the 2nd century BCE, a religion called Tao emerged. The Tao emphasizes peace, detachment, flexibility, and non-action.The Han Chinese believed that three realms of Heaven, Earth, and Mankind were inextricably-linked and subject to natural cycles; if man could understand these cycles, they could understand the hidden secrets of the three realms. One cycle was yin and yang, which corresponded to yielding and hard, shade and sunlight, feminine and masculine, and the Moon and Sun, respectively, while it was thought to govern the three realms and changing of seasons. From 551 to 478 BCE, the Chinese' Religion was Confusism. Confusism is based heavily around humanity. Acording to Confusius, external forces punish people after they commit crimes so people would generally behave with no reason why they should. Around the 2nd century BCE, a religion called Tao emerged. The Tao emphasizes peace, detachment, flexibility, and non-action.The Han Chinese believed that three realms of Heaven, Earth, and Mankind were inextricably-linked and subject to natural cycles; if man could understand these cycles, they could understand the hidden secrets of the three realms. One cycle was yin and yang, which corresponded to yielding and hard, shade and sunlight, feminine and masculine, and the Moon and Sun, respectively, while it was thought to govern the three realms and changing of seasons. The Chinese believed that internal motivation came from external sources.
 * __Confucianism-__** is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius. Through the time of 551-478 BC Confucianism thrived in Han China. It is a complex system of moral, social, political, philosophical and quasi-religious thought that has had tremendous influence on the culture and history of East Asia.

Imperial Rome: Roman religion was divided into two. Spirits watched over people, families and households, and the paterfamilias was in charge of the household worship that honored them. Romans also had a set of public gods, such as Jupiter and Mars. State worship was much more formal: colleges of priests paid tribute to these gods on behalf of Rome itself. __**Polytheism**__- Belief of many gods. Greeks saw the gods as humans with powers and imortality. They believed that sacrifices to the Gods made the Gods happy. They believe that the gods control their lives. __**State Religion-**__ when the Religion is practiced as a community. Ex. Inside a church or synagogue. __**House Religion**__- When people believe that certain gods protect their home so after meals the family throws their scraps and slice of cake into the fire as a gift/sacrifice to their gods.
 * __Monotheism (Roman Christianity)__** - A belief of one god. In Roman beliefs, the Romans believed in god and Jesus but in a different form of Common Day Era Christianity. Although he was executed by Rome at an early age, Jesus would have a massive impact on the Roman Empire. After his death, his message of eternal life and hope was spread across the empire by missionaries such as Paul . And although Christians in Rome suffered appalling persecution at times, their ideas refused to die: instead, they would conquer Rome itself.

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 * __Judaism__**- However, the Roman religion was not the only one practiced in the first century AD. Communities of Jews had existed in cities throughout the Roman Empire for centuries. Although they were generally treated with respect, trouble did occur. The Jewish philosopher, Philo, wrote of brutal treatment in Alexandria, while a revolt in led to the destruction of the temple and a change in the practice of the Jewish faith.======

How much of an influence did religion have in both places? Describe the impact, whether negative or positive, religion had on China and Rome?
Imperial Rome: In Ancient Rome religion had avery large impact on society and daily life. The Romans practiced religions both inside and outside of their homes. Everywhere they went religion was practiced throughout the Romans. Although Religion in Rome was practiced more at home, state religion was more important and impacted. Religion also had a bad impact, most Romans often discriminated certain religions and lead attacks against them. And also some religions often disagreed and fought in beliefs.

Han China: Just like Rome, Chinese religion strongly affected society and daily life, both good and bad. Just like Rome, Religion was practiced daily by families in homes and on certain days or even every day, in temples. The Chinese believed in different realms and elements of life. and they believed in magic and of people who could produce the elements with magic. Buddism was widely practiced in China and had the greatest impact, many temples were built.

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Han China: Families throughout Han China made ritual sacrifices (usually involving animals and foodstuffs) to various deities, spirits, and ancestors. Deceased ancestors were thought to require food and drink in the afterlife, so living family members were routinely obligated to offer food and wine to the ancestors in a family shrine or temple. Wealthy families who could afford to bury their dead in large tombs and often placed food items at the entrances of such complexes.======

Imperial Rome: In homes, Romans believed that a certain god protected their house. After dinner the family would throw scraps or/and a slice of cake into the fire as a gift and sacrifice to the gods and their protection. They would also make sacrifices of animals and of gifts.

Why and how did the Roman Empire move from a polytheistic religion to a set of beliefs focused on Christianity and monotheism?
Imperial Rome: The Romans beliefs were changed by Jesus, because of his teachings and his kindness and acts the Romans were brought into christianity and the religion was quickly spread through out Rome. The Romans started believing in god and of the teachings of Jesus. They changed because Jesus showed them that Christianity was real and taught them lessons through christianity. He truly changed their beliefs with kindness and changed their lives.

How did Confucianism influence the Han Dynasty?
Han China: Their Legal System was based off Confucianism. And between the times of 551 and 478, Confucianism was the main religion of the Han Dynasty. It also brought peace and tranquility to Han China. It made the people more peaceful and less harsh through culture and relaxation. In the Han Dynasty it actually brought peace to the government, rather than the harsh govenment in the Qin Dynasty,Confucianism brought a less harsh form of government and rules. It affected modern day China and affected their riches and cultures and how their culture and life is. Which is a kind of past and creative culture. Confucianism was widely spread throughout Ancient china, therefore affecting their form of life, style, and culture.

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 empire should Ms. Fy, a motivational speaker, visit? Why?
=== Ms. Fy should visit Han China because they both believed that internal motivation comes from external sources and believe that riches DO buy happiness. Han China was very peaceful and cultural. They were also very wealthy in spices, trade, silk,and gold. And Ms.Fy was very cultural and peaceful and wouldn't enjoy the Romans harsh laws, lifestyle, and taxes. The Chinese were very motivational and obviously Ms.Fy, a motivational speaker, is very motivational. I believe Han China is the perfect civilization for Ms. Fy and should be very interesting for her because the Han Chinese were very similar to her. ===

= **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 dynasty
 * 2) At least three "must see" tourist features with detailed text and relevant images for each dynasty
 * 3) At least one audio recording on each poster

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 Posters
media type="custom" key="6215629"

media type="custom" key="6215647"

= **Oral Presentation Guidelines** = The oral presentation is your opportunity to share your posters, explain whether your client should visit Han China or the Roman Empire, and should follow these guidelines:
 * 1) Less than three minutes in length
 * 2) Should address/explain the "must see" features of each dynasty
 * 3) Should explain which destination the client should visit and why

This presentation is about speaking skills and the use of your posters. 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.