Comparison on the Polybius from Punic Wars and Ssu-ma Chi’en

At the end of the third century B.C., there were two independent and strong powers existing separately at the southeast of China in Asia and at the core area of Mediterranean in Europe, the Han dynasty and Rome. They have both reached the high point of the contemporary civilizations. Also, 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 perfection, ruling ideologies and institutions and so on.

Before discovering and comparing these two civilizations, we have to enhance our understanding on the authors of these two excerpts that lead people to reveal the unknown yet attractive history of Rome and Han dynasty. Polybius described and portrayed Rome at the End of the Punic Wars in his history sourcebook. “Polybius’ importance rests no small extent on the importance of his theme—the rise of Rome,” said by Frank William Walbank who wrote 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. Also he is one of the officers in the Achaean League that works on the independence of Peloponnesus against the Romans. The experience of Polybius made him the most reliable ancient historians during this period.

On the other hand, Ssu-ma Ch’ien was another major figure in the Chinese historians. He carried on the work that his father Ssu-ma Tan left to record the contemporary history and developed it into a history masterpiece called “Records of The Historian” that encompassed the history of China and the world seen from China from the founding of the state down to his own time. He sets a standard for objective history...

... middle of paper ...

...he other hand, the senates have the power to select judge who decides the rewards and punishments among the people. By the balance of these three powers, Rome made sure that every design and need is put into thorough consideration instead of being ignored or without deliberation.

In Han dynasty, the ruling power is the Emperor Kao-tsu himself. The significant trait of the Chines Dynasties is that the governments are all monarchy. Though Kao-tsu had various nobles and generals when he overturned the Chin dynasty. He was the only one that can be the emperor. All his followers have to acclaim the legality of his position.

Rome and Han dynasty presented the culture diversities in distinct parts of the world. They differ significantly on the formation and the ruling ideologies and so on. The varieties of culture are the most intriguing and attractive part of history.