Both empires experienced multiple forms of rulers of dynasties but the Chinese contained preexisting concepts of which they could draw upon such as the "mandate of heaven." The Roman Empire, however, did not have these previous concepts and were forced to make their own mistakes and experience the consequences as the empire grew. Because of the advantage that the Chinese empire had over that of Rome, it was possible for it to emerge rapidly where the Roman Empire took reasonably longer to develop and was never as successful.
Women were mostly ignored in both societies. They had little power and were mostly submissive to their families. When they married, they would then become submissive to their husband's family. Women were not to play any specific role and the only women recorded from these empires were those of power, such as the wives of emperors, who were depicted on wall paintings wearing elaborate clothing.
The Persians and the Greeks were two completely seperate civilizations that were both influenced greatly
by geography, environment, and contacts. The institutions of these people were affected by these factors along
with their connections with each other. The differences between the two resulted in relationships both
positive and negative to be built among them.
Persia's geography consisted of mountains, desserts, and seas. They had direct access to trade by sea and
were protected by the other natural barriers. Greek geography was different in that it consisted of oceans,
alps, seas, and desserts. This gave them better access to irrigation for crops.
The environment of these regions is both different and similar depending upon the season. Persia has
limited access to water for irrigation and a warm climate. The seasons in Greece were mostly mild and warm,
sometimes similar to those experienced in Persia.
Both civilizations had contacts for trade. This resulted in a distribution of ideas and history to
accompany actual material goods. Persians made contacts for trade and ethnography. Greeks mad contacts for
the importing and exporting of raw materials. They also gave and recieved ideas and history from Persia and
other regions at this time.
Although both peoples were extremely different in some aspects, their geography, environment, and
contacts only differed slightly. Throgh these similarities and their contact between each other, the two
provinces actually shared many similar methods and customs. This great amount of connections eventually led
to a conflict between the two which would only prove to be for the reason that resonates throughout history:
the jealousy and desire to have what others posess.