The Eastern Han Dynasty lasted from 25 AD to 220 AD, a total of 195 years.
During the Eastern Han Dynasty, although Xi’an was no longer the political center of the country, as an important city with a profound historical heritage, it still radiated a unique charm and achieved remarkable success in various fields. During the same period in Europe and America, they were also in their own unique development processes, forming an interesting contrast with Xi’an during the Eastern Han Dynasty.
The Achievements of Xi’an in the Eastern Han Dynasty
Economically, Xi’an built on the foundation left by previous dynasties and boasted a prosperous agricultural sector. The water conservancy facilities were continuously improved. Despite the passage of time, water conservancy projects such as the Zhengguo Canal still played a crucial role, ensuring the irrigation of farmland and leading to a considerable grain output in the surrounding areas. Agricultural technology continued to progress. Ox – drawn ploughing was more widely promoted, and the use of new farming tools like the three – legged Louche greatly improved sowing efficiency. In the handicraft industry, the silk – weaving and iron – smelting industries were particularly prominent. The silk produced in Chang’an (Xi’an) was renowned far and wide for its exquisite craftsmanship and superior quality. It was not only supplied domestically but also exported to Central Asia, Europe, and other regions via the Silk Road. The iron – smelting technology also witnessed new breakthroughs. The invention of the water – powered bellows for iron – smelting increased the output and quality of ironware, facilitating the renewal of agricultural and handicraft tools.
In the cultural field, Xi’an remained an important venue for academic exchanges. Numerous scholars gathered here to inherit and develop Confucianism. Although the Imperial College was relocated to Luoyang, private schools in Xi’an thrived, cultivating many learned scholars. In literature, Hanfu (a form of Chinese rhapsody) continued to prosper. Many literati created a large number of outstanding works with the local customs, practices, and historical allusions of Xi’an as the theme. Calligraphy art also made remarkable progress. Official script reached its peak during this period, and the works of many famous calligraphers were highly regarded by later generations.
In terms of science and technology, although the seismograph invented by Zhang Heng was created in Luoyang, as a major cultural center, Xi’an also paid attention to and studied this great invention. During this period, medicine also witnessed new development. The medical experts in Xi’an inherited and carried forward traditional medical theories and accumulated rich experience in clinical practice.
The development of Europe and America during the same period
In far – away Europe, the Roman Empire was at its prime. Politically, the Roman Empire had a vast territory. Through a series of military conquests and political means, it incorporated the areas around the Mediterranean into its domain. Its political system was constantly refined. Institutions such as the Senate, consuls, and the citizen assembly checked and balanced each other to maintain the rule of the empire. Economically, agriculture served as the foundation. Large – scale manorial economies were prevalent, with crops like grapes and olives being planted. Agricultural products not only met domestic needs but were also used for trade. The handicraft industry was well – developed, and pottery, glassware, etc. were sold far and wide. Commercial trade was prosperous. The Roman Empire had frequent trade exchanges with the East, exchanging goods such as silk and spices with China via the Silk Road. Culturally, Roman culture absorbed the essence of Greek culture. Architectural art reached a high level. Buildings such as the Pantheon and the Colosseum demonstrated the wisdom and creativity of the Romans. In terms of law, Roman law continued to develop and improve, laying the foundation for the establishment of later legal systems.
In America, the Mayan civilization was in the development stage. The Mayans achieved remarkable success in agriculture. They cultivated crops such as corn, beans, and pumpkins, and invented unique terraced fields and irrigation systems to adapt to the complex terrain and climate. In architecture, the Mayans built many magnificent pyramids, palaces, and temples. These buildings not only had religious and political significance but also demonstrated their superb architectural technology and artistic level. The astronomical calendar of the Mayan civilization was also highly developed. Through long – term observation and research, they developed an accurate calendar that could accurately predict astronomical phenomena such as solar and lunar eclipses.
During the Eastern Han Dynasty, Xi’an had unique achievements in economy, culture, science, and technology, developing on a different track from Europe and America during the same period. The achievements of Xi’an reflected the glory of ancient Chinese civilization, while the development of Europe and America also had a profound impact on the subsequent course of world history. Together, they constituted the rich and colorful world historical picture of this period.
