The map above is a visual comparison of the Roman and Han 漢 empires at year 1 CE
The Roman Empire and the Han 漢 Dynasty were similar in size, both in terms of territorial extent and population, especially at their height.
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Territory:
- Roman Empire: At its peak around (117 CE), the Roman Empire covered approximately 5 million square kilometers, stretching across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.
- Han 漢 Dynasty: At its peak around (2 CE), the Han 漢 Dynasty controlled about 4.5 million square kilometers, including vast regions of what is now China, Korea, Vietnam, and Central Asia.
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Population:
- Roman Empire: Estimates suggest a population of around 55-60 million people during its height.
- Han 漢 Dynasty: The Han 漢 Dynasty’s population is estimated to have been about 60 million around (2 CE), making it one of the largest populations in the world at the time.
Both empires were influential in their regions and connected by trade routes like the Silk Road, which facilitated economic and cultural exchanges. Despite differences in governance, culture, and military strategy, both the Roman Empire and Han China were dominant forces in the ancient world, showing similar levels of organizational and technological sophistication.
References
The following are references that provide reliable information on the territorial extent and population of the Roman Empire and Han 漢 Dynasty:
1. Roman Empire:
- Chris Scarre, *The Penguin Historical Atlas of Ancient Rome*. Penguin Books, 1995. This provides a clear depiction of the Roman Empire’s size at its height and its influence across three continents.
- Peter Heather, *The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History of Rome and the Barbarians*. Oxford University Press, 2006. Includes discussions of the population and economic factors within the Roman Empire.
2. Han 漢 Dynasty:
- Mark Edward Lewis, *The Early Chinese Empires: Qin and Han*. Harvard University Press, 2007. This book explores the formation and expansion of the Han Dynasty, including population figures.
- William H. McNeill, *A World History*. Oxford University Press, 2009. Offers a comparative perspective on large ancient empires, including both Rome and Han China.
3. Both Empires (Comparative Works):
- Walter Scheidel, *Rome and China: Comparative Perspectives on Ancient World Empires*. Oxford University Press, 2009. This work directly compares the Roman and Han empires in terms of size, governance, and societal structure.
- S.A.M. Adshead, *China in World History*. Palgrave Macmillan, 1988. Adshead discusses the parallels between China’s Han Dynasty and Rome, particularly with respect to trade and territorial control.
These sources are useful for understanding the scale and impact of these two ancient superpowers.
