罗马和中国帝王时代比较英文.ppt

Rome and China: Ancient Empires today Hx508: World Empires and Their Cultures Today’s Lecture Roman Empire: History Roman Empire: Significance Chinese Empire: History Chinese Empire: Significance Rome… Roman Republic founded 508 BCE Decline of the Republic 1st century BCE Interlude of triumvirates (Caesar) 60-27 BCE Emperor Augustus (Pax Romana) 27-14 AD Ancient Roman Empire 27 BCE-486 AD? or Ancient Roman Empire 27 BCE-395 AD What Rome left… A political language = imperium romanum imperium – the root of ‘empire’ (used from the 19th century on) Its association with armed might, law and civilisation monarchia = monarchy respublica = republic Political theoretical contemplation of the meanings of words. Universalism and empire in the Americas France, Portugal, Spain and Britain all in the Americas Spain initially dominated and projected itself as the universal empire Spain - art + political theory Portuguese - excellence of their sciences The French – 16th century courtly ceremony + legal codes English – models of civilized people English – Victorian belief in their own supreme empire Roman Law Law should be based on justicia = ‘justice’ Legal principles and opinions codified to guide judges Open to modification according to prevailing community attitudes. Interpretation – important. Law divided between jus civile (civil law) and jus gentium (International law) Later ideals of the universal application of the law to all Principles of contractual relationship developed US – the new Rome? ‘Empire’ – represents a singular ‘civilization’ to some + a barrier to the barbarians ‘Empire’ represents universal values to its supporters, not specific ethnic identity To opponents: represents ambition for unlimited expansion China’s life A 3000-year old empire? A history of dynasties A feeling of Antiquity and continuity, despite the ruptures of power in the past China: a recent empire with a sense of longevity Rome: an Ancient empire which clearly finished, but which