Jose Javier
Zuniga
A.P. History
18 September 2014
Han and Roman Technology The Han and Roman empires attitude towards technology greatly differed in importance to survival and life. The Han Empire saw water systems as good tools and inventions to help reduce struggle. But, the Roman Empire saw these things as a benefit but not necessary. Rome was more worried about flat, smooth roads and water for their fountains than having the tools to make these things. By analyzing the documents I had, I’ve broken them up into four groups which are: pro-technology, government involvement, philosopher involvement, and negative view of peasants or the working class. Mostly all documents were written by government officials and philosophers. This means they are bias because they are trying to make themselves look good for the people. An additional document that would be useful to the analysis is a middle class person or a female from Han or Rome Empire. It would be helpful so that I can see the perception of the middle class and females not only the high class. The reason why is because a high class person has never done physical work like a middle class person does which doesn’t get the same view as a middle class person. Documents 3 and 7 fall under the grouping of philosopher involvement. The reason why they fall under this group is because these documents show that philosophers were involved in the government’s technology. Document 3 was written in 20 C.E., by Haun Tan who happens to be in the upper class. The document talks about how the pestle and mortar was improved in different ways, which makes it more resourceful. It states this when it says, “Later on, the pestle and mortar were cleverly improved in such a way that the whole weight of the body could be used, thus increasing the efficiency ten times.” It means, that the Han Empire improved this deign to make it more capable in functioning. This supports my thesis by because this shows that the Han Empire focuses on improvement on tools to help reduce labor. Document 7 was written in first century C.E., by Seneca who is upper class and is advisor to Emperor Nero. Emperor Nero is a male who never gets dirty since he never works like the middle class and lower class do. In document 7 it explains how tools were invented by dumb people. It says, “Both were invented by someone with a mind that was nimble and sharp, but not great or evaluated.” This statement supports my thesis by showing that the Romans were interested in the tools if, they worked to build roads and fountains. Both the Roman and Han Empire were influenced by philosophers, so it means they had part in technology. Document 5 and 7 are two important documents that show negative view to the common people. Common people have an important job like the upper class but, they have to do physical work and upper class doesn’t. Document 5 was written in first century C.E., by Cicero who was the upper class leader. Cicero believes physical labor is needed and it’s rude for gentlemen. He says, “Vulgar and unbecoming to a gentleman are all the jobs hired workers take on, whose labor is purchased rather than their skill. All craftsmen spend their time in vulgar occupations; no workshop can have anything enlightening about it.” This means that the upper class sees people lower than them as dummies. Document 7 was written in the first century C.E., by Seneca who was an upper class Roman philosopher. He clearly states that lower class people make tools. It says, “I don’t believe tools were invented by wise men.” He means that the lower class made it which means it’s cheap and isn’t resourceful. This supports me thesis because it shows that Romans don’t like working with tools made by lower class because they aren’t useful as the upper class tools. This document shows how the Roman Empire views the working class. Documents 1, 2, and 4 would all fall under the grouping of government involvement. The reason these fit under
