Both China and India used systems that divided people into classes, they both differed however. In the caste system, a person’s caste is hereditary, with attaining a higher caste being almost impossible within a lifetime. The caste system is also very expansive, containing over “300 jati (or livings), which became further divided into a multitude of subcastes” (56). On the other hand, China’s class system was not hereditary and upward mobility was uncommon due to lack of wealth and/or talent. China’s class system also was much less complex, only consisting of about three social groups. Overall, the Indian caste system is much more strict and complex than the class system that developed in China.
Compare the social and family structures of India and China in the Classical period. What are the main differences? The main similarities?
Though the organization of India and China was mostly different, the family structures were similar. The caste system in India was very strict, inherited, virtually unchangeable, and complex. China had a class system that was less strict, also inherited, difficult (but not impossible) to change, and extremely simple compared to India. However, both taught the idea that a person should act according to their social status. In terms of family structure, both societies were almost the same. In both societies, women and children were encouraged to obey their husband/father, as he was the leader of the family. However, China allowed a disobedient child to be punished (or even killed, in some cases), while India encouraged parents to pamper their children. Conclusively, China and India had different social structures, but similar family structures. What were the main similarities and differences between Greek and Roman political structures? While the early Roman republic was more similar to the direct democracy of Athens, the later Roman empire was different from the city-states of Greece. …show more content…
During the republic, Roman citizens would elect officials, similar to directly voting for laws as in Athens. Despite the slight difference, both societies encouraged active participation in the government and military. However, as Rome became an empire, the senate turned into a “rather meaningless forum for debates” (76). Even more so, though a good amount of the states remained with local autonomy, the emperor and his officials still possessed a great deal of power. Overall, the Roman republic was much more similar to the Greek city-states than the Roman Empire. Compare the main features of the social structure of the classical civilizations in the Mediterranean, China, and India. To compare the social structures of the classical civilizations in the Mediterranean, China, and India, one can compare their social class systems, family structures, and religions. Interestingly, the Mediterranean societies were the only societies in which slaves were a major part of society. While slavery may have been present in China, a bottom class “mean” people performed labor. In India, the caste system made actual slavery impossible, though the class of “untouchables” performed degrading class, very much like a slave. Another difference is in religion, with the Mediterranean societies producing a polytheistic religion. However, this religion was not similar to any of the Chinese belief systems, and it is described as “unlike the Indians, however, the Greeks and Romans became interested in their gods in terms of what they could do for and reveal about mankind on this earth the principles that could elevate people toward higher planes of spirituality”(79). In spite of all these differences, all three societies had a similar family structure. In all three societies, the wives and children obeyed the father/husband, as he was the head of the family. All in all, though there were many differences, the three civilizations did have certain elements of society in common. In which society, India, China, or the Mediterranean, would you have wanted to be a merchant in the classical period? Explain your choice. Given the choice of being a merchant in China, India, or the Mediterranean, being a merchant in China would be the best choice. Merchants in the Mediterranean, specifically Rome, enjoyed a high