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 …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