In the classical period, both Han China and imperial Rome were very similar in their policies. Similarities included the roles of rulers who governed empires and unsecure borders that ward off foreign enemies. That said, the two empires were also quite divergent. The demise of Han China was primarily due to corruption within its government, its lack of focus on expansion, and its defense against its enemies through predominantly nonviolent methods. Rome, in contrast, fell primarily to disease and foreign invasions, prioritized expansion, and dealt with its enemies by aggressive means. Han China and imperial Rome both had emperors with similar roles and beliefs in the society they ruled over. Both empires had the idea that the emperors who ruled them had divine attributes that made them eligible to be rulers. Furthermore, both empires had complications when it came to electing a new emperor. When the Romans elected a ruler, they chose their best generals. The Chinese, however, elected a ruler capable of keeping the imperial family in order. Both Han China and Im...