The Han Dynasty and the Roman Empire were two large empires that grew out of pre-existing territories and provided relative peace over large areas. The collapse of the Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE), the first great land empire in East Asia, came after a period of war, confusion, and tyrannical rule. Due to the political disorder resulting from early dynastic activities, the emergence of the Han dynasty (206 BCE – 228 CE) focused on restoring order. On the other hand, the rise of the Roman Empire (44 BCE – 476 CE) arose from the consolidation of authority over aristocratic landlords and the replacement of the democratic elements of the earlier Republic . Instead, the Roman Empire redefined the concept of "citizen" as being subjects of the Roman emperor. The two empires shared similar agendas for exploiting their vast territories and resources, which helped them expand their political dominance; however, despite similar goals and political foundations, their system of government, cultural ideologies, and expansionist imperialist natures diverged. Both the Han and Roman empires emphasized territorial expansion. Using their powerful armies, they consolidated their power within and across borders, creating stable trade networks for their economic bases. Land equated with wealth and power. Through the integration of local domains, both empires managed to achieve political stability. For the Han Empire, their overseas expansion exceeded ecological limits under Emperor Wu Di (181-87 BCE), who made military service compulsory. The army expanded into northern Vietnam and southeast China. Although there were military threats from the Xiongnu, the nomadic people of the north, Wu launched defensive attacks that caused... middle of paper ... a weaker state to remain neutral in relation to its military strength. The loss of Mélians reaffirms the absolute power of imperial conquests and nationalism in theories of realism. Since the Melians were allied with the Spartans and failed to cooperate, it is justifiable that the Athenians had the right to want to rule and invade the Melians as a means of protecting their own forces. Works Cited Gochberg, Donald S. World Literature and Thought. Fort Worth, TX: Harcourt College, 1997. Print. Pomeranz, Kenneth, James Buchanan. Given, Laura Jane Mitchell and Robert L. Tignor. Worlds Together, Worlds Apart: A Reader's Companion. New York: WW Norton &, 2011. Print.Polybius, Rome at the end of the Punic Wars. Sourcebook of Ancient HistoryPoetry of the Han DynastyThucydides, The Melian DebateTung Chung-Shu, Lush Jewels of the Spring and Autumn Records.