Comparing Timelines
Exploring the overlapping histories of "Han dynasty" and "Roman Empire".
Han dynasty
-206 - 220
Roman Empire
-100 - 1453
202 BCE
Battle of Gaixia - Liu Bang Defeats Xiang Yu
Liu Bang decisively defeated Xiang Yu at the Battle of Gaixia in modern-day Anhui, ending the Chu-Han Contention. This victory allowed Liu Bang to reunify China and establish the Han dynasty, becoming Emperor Gaozu.
200 BCE
Xiongnu Defeat Han Forces at Baideng
The Xiongnu nomadic confederation defeated Han forces at Baideng in what is now Shanxi province. This military defeat forced the Han to adopt a policy of appeasement, leading to the heqin agreement with tribute payments to the Xiongnu.
198 BCE
Heqin Agreement Established
The heqin agreement was signed between the Han and Xiongnu, nominally treating both leaders as equal partners in a royal marriage alliance. However, the Han were forced to send large amounts of tribute including silk, food, and wine to the Xiongnu.
186 BCE
Grand Empress Dowager Lü Zhi Abolishes Private Minting
Grand Empress Dowager Lü Zhi reversed Emperor Gaozu's policy of allowing private coin minting, establishing government control over currency production. This was part of early efforts to centralize economic control under the Han dynasty.
154 BCE
Rebellion of the Seven States
The largest insurrection by Han kings occurred when seven kingdoms rebelled against imperial authority. This rebellion led to significant reforms that limited the power of kingdoms and increased central government control over the empire.
145 BCE
Reforms Limiting Kingdom Powers
Following the Rebellion of the Seven States, the imperial court enacted reforms that divided former kingdom territories into new commanderies under central control. Kings lost the ability to appoint their own staff, becoming nominal heads of their fiefs.
139 BCE
Zhang Qian's Diplomatic Mission Begins
Diplomat Zhang Qian began his famous journey to Central Asia, establishing Chinese contacts with many surrounding civilizations including Dayuan, Kangju, and Daxia. His travels laid the foundation for the Silk Road trade network.
136 BCE
Emperor Wu Adopts Confucianism as State Ideology
Emperor Wu abolished all academic chairs not concerned with the Five Classics, giving Confucianism exclusive patronage. This marked a fundamental shift in Chinese political philosophy and education that would influence China for millennia.
133 BCE
Failed Assassination Plot at Mayi
A Han court plot to assassinate the Xiongnu Chanyu at Mayi failed, ending the heqin agreement. This failure prompted Emperor Wu to launch a series of massive military invasions into Xiongnu territory, fundamentally changing Han foreign policy.
125 BCE
Zhang Qian Returns from Central Asia
Zhang Qian completed his diplomatic mission to Central Asia, bringing back crucial intelligence about the Western Regions. His reports provided the Han with detailed knowledge of Central Asian kingdoms and trade routes.
124 BCE
Imperial University Established
Emperor Wu established the Imperial University to provide Confucian education for government nominees. This institution became central to Chinese education and bureaucratic training, eventually growing to over 30,000 students by the 2nd century AD.
121 BCE
Han Forces Expel Xiongnu from Hexi Corridor
Han military forces successfully expelled the Xiongnu from the vast Hexi Corridor territory spanning to Lop Nur. This victory secured a crucial section of what would become the Silk Road and demonstrated growing Han military capability.
119 BCE
Introduction of Wuzhu Coin
Emperor Wu introduced the wuzhu coin weighing 5 zhu, abandoning the ban liang system entirely. The wuzhu became China's standard currency until the Tang dynasty, representing a major monetary reform that lasted for centuries.
Battle of Mobei - Decisive Victory Over Xiongnu
Han commanders Huo Qubing and Wei Qing achieved a decisive victory at the Battle of Mobei, forcing the Xiongnu court to flee north of the Gobi Desert. Han forces reached as far north as Lake Baikal, marking the culmination of Emperor Wu's military campaigns.
117 BCE
Nationalization of Salt and Iron Industries
Emperor Wu nationalized the private salt and iron industries, creating government monopolies to finance military campaigns and frontier settlements. This represented a major expansion of state control over the economy.
113 BCE
Central Government Monopolizes Coinage
The central government closed commandery mints and monopolized the issue of coinage due to inferior quality and lighter weight of locally-issued coins. This centralization of monetary control strengthened imperial authority.
111 BCE
Han Conquest of Nanyue
Han naval forces conquered the kingdom of Nanyue, expanding the Han realm into what are now modern Guangdong, Guangxi, and northern Vietnam. This southern expansion significantly increased Han territory and population.
109 BCE
Conquest of Dian Kingdom
Han forces conquered the Dian Kingdom in what is now Yunnan province, bringing this southwestern region under imperial control. This expansion extended Han influence into the mountainous regions of southern China.
108 BCE
Establishment of Korean Commanderies
Han forces conquered Gojoseon and established the Xuantu and Lelang commanderies in the northern Korean Peninsula. This expansion brought Han administration and Chinese culture to the Korean peninsula for the first time.
100 BCE
Roman Expansion Beyond Italy
By 100 BC, Rome had expanded its rule from the Italian peninsula to most of the Mediterranean and beyond. This marked the transformation of Rome from a regional power to a Mediterranean empire, setting the stage for future imperial developments.
98 BCE
Nationalization of Liquor Industry
The central government nationalized the profitable liquor trade industry as part of Emperor Wu's economic policies to fund military campaigns. This monopoly was later repealed in 81 BC in favor of taxation.
81 BCE
Liquor Monopoly Repealed
The government liquor monopoly was repealed and replaced with a property tax of two coins for every unit traded privately. This marked a shift away from direct state control toward taxation-based revenue generation.
60 BCE
Protectorate of the Western Regions Established
After Han victory over the Xiongnu in the Tarim Basin, the Protectorate of the Western Regions was established to handle the region's defense and foreign affairs. This formalized Han control over the Silk Road trade routes.
51 BCE
Huhanye Chanyu Submits to Han
The Xiongnu leader Huhanye finally submitted to the Han as a tributary vassal, ending decades of warfare. This submission marked the effective end of the Xiongnu threat to Han northern borders.
44 BCE
Assassination of Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar was assassinated by a faction that opposed his concentration of power after briefly serving as perpetual dictator. This event triggered a series of civil wars that would ultimately lead to the end of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Empire.
42 BCE
Battle of Philippi
Mark Antony and Caesar's adopted son Octavian defeated the faction that had assassinated Julius Caesar at the Battle of Philippi. This victory eliminated Caesar's assassins and set up the eventual conflict between Antony and Octavian for control of Rome.
36 BCE
Battle of Zhizhi - Rival Chanyu Killed
Han forces under Chen Tang and Gan Yanshou killed Zhizhi Chanyu, Huhanye's rival claimant to the Xiongnu throne, at the Battle of Zhizhi in modern Kazakhstan. This eliminated the last major Xiongnu resistance to Han authority.
31 BCE
Battle of Actium
Octavian's forces defeated those of Mark Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium, ending the last civil war of the Roman Republic. This decisive naval battle made Octavian the sole ruler of Rome and paved the way for the establishment of the Roman Empire.
27 BCE
Augustus Becomes First Roman Emperor
The Roman Senate granted Octavian the title Augustus and made him princeps with proconsular imperium, marking his accession as the first Roman emperor. This event officially began the Principate and transformed Rome from a republic to an empire.
12 BCE
Halley's Comet Recorded
Han dynasty astronomers recorded the appearance of the comet now known as Halley's Comet, demonstrating the sophisticated astronomical observation capabilities of Han scholars and their systematic recording of celestial phenomena.
2 CE
First Nationwide Census
The first nationwide census in Chinese history was conducted, registering the Han's total population as 57,671,400 individuals across 12,366,470 households. This demonstrated the administrative sophistication of the Han government.
6 CE
Death of Emperor Ping
Emperor Ping died, leading to the succession crisis that would bring Wang Mang to power. Ruzi Ying was chosen as heir, but Wang Mang was appointed to serve as acting emperor for the child.
9 CE
Wang Mang Establishes Xin Dynasty
Wang Mang claimed the divine Mandate of Heaven called for the end of the Han dynasty and established his own Xin dynasty. This usurpation interrupted the Han dynasty and initiated a period of major social and economic reforms.
Battle of the Teutoburg Forest
Germanic tribes wiped out three Roman legions in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest, dealing a devastating blow to Roman expansion in Germania. This defeat led to the increase of legions from 25 to around 30 and marked the effective end of Roman attempts to conquer Germany.
11 CE
Massive Yellow River Floods
Massive floods of the Yellow River occurred due to gradual silt build-up that overwhelmed flood control works. The river split into two branches, causing widespread displacement and contributing to Wang Mang's downfall.
23 CE
Battle of Kunyang
Liu Xiu distinguished himself at the Battle of Kunyang, a crucial victory against Wang Mang's forces. This battle marked a turning point in the rebellion against the Xin dynasty and established Liu Xiu as a major leader.
Wang Mang Killed by Insurgents
An insurgent mob forced their way into the Weiyang Palace and killed Wang Mang, ending the Xin dynasty. This violent end to Wang Mang's regime paved the way for the restoration of the Han dynasty.
25 CE
Eastern Han Dynasty Begins
Liu Xiu became Emperor Guangwu, formally beginning the Eastern Han dynasty. He established Luoyang as the new capital, marking the restoration of Han rule after the Xin interregnum.
27 CE
Red Eyebrows Surrender
Emperor Guangwu's officers Deng Yu and Feng Yi forced the Red Eyebrows rebel group to surrender and executed their leaders for treason. This victory eliminated a major threat to the restored Han dynasty.
30 CE
Han Reaffirms Control Over Korean Commanderies
After the widespread rebellion against Wang Mang allowed Goguryeo to raid Han's Korean commanderies, the Han dynasty reaffirmed its control over the region, restoring imperial authority on the Korean peninsula.
36 CE
China Reunified Under Han
Emperor Guangwu completed his campaigns against regional warlords who had claimed the title of emperor, successfully reunifying China under Han rule. This ended the period of fragmentation following Wang Mang's fall.
40 CE
Trưng Sisters Rebellion in Vietnam
The Trưng Sisters led a rebellion against Han rule in Vietnam, challenging imperial authority in the southern territories. This uprising demonstrated the difficulties of maintaining control over distant provinces.
43 CE
Trưng Sisters Rebellion Crushed
Han general Ma Yuan crushed the Trưng Sisters rebellion in a campaign lasting from 42 to 43 AD, restoring Han control over Vietnam. This victory secured the southern borders of the empire.
50 CE
Xiongnu Split into Northern and Southern Factions
The Xiongnu confederation split when Bi submitted to Han as a tributary vassal while his cousin Punu remained hostile. This created two rival Xiongnu states, with the Southern Xiongnu allied to Han and the Northern Xiongnu remaining enemies.
63 CE
Northern Xiongnu Conquer Tarim Basin
The Northern Xiongnu conquered the Tarim Basin, using it as a base to invade the Hexi Corridor. This loss of control over the Silk Road trade routes posed a significant threat to Han economic and strategic interests.
65 CE
Buddhism First Mentioned in Chinese Records
Buddhism was first mentioned in Chinese historical records, marking the beginning of Buddhist influence in China. Liu Ying, half-brother to Emperor Ming, was among its earliest Chinese adherents, though it was initially associated with Huang-Lao Taoism.
68 CE
Office for Price Adjustment Abolished
Emperor Ming's short-lived Office for Price Adjustment and Stabilization was abolished, ending central government price control regulations. This marked a shift toward less direct government intervention in markets during the Eastern Han.
69 CE
End of Julio-Claudian Dynasty
The Julio-Claudian dynasty ended after four emperors following Augustus—Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero—yielding to the strife-torn Year of the Four Emperors. This period of instability demonstrated the fragility of imperial succession and led to the rise of the Flavian dynasty.
70 CE
Yellow River Southern Branch Dammed
Han engineers successfully dammed the southern branch of the Yellow River that had formed during the floods of Wang Mang's reign. This engineering achievement helped restore flood control and agricultural productivity.
Siege of Jerusalem and Destruction of Second Temple
The siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD led to the sacking of the Second Temple and the dispersal of Jewish political power. This event marked a crucial turning point in Jewish history and the beginning of the Jewish diaspora.
73 CE
Battle of Yiwulu - Northern Xiongnu Defeated
Dou Gu defeated the Northern Xiongnu at the Battle of Yiwulu, evicting them from Turpan and chasing them as far as Lake Barkol. A garrison was established at Hami to secure Han control over the region.
89 CE
Battle of Ikh Bayan - Northern Xiongnu Retreat
Dou Xian defeated the Northern Xiongnu chanyu at the Battle of Ikh Bayan, forcing them to retreat into the Altai Mountains. This victory further weakened Northern Xiongnu power and influence.
90 CE
Kushan Marriage Alliance Rejected
The Han court rejected a marriage alliance request from Kushan ruler Vima Kadphises, leading to a brief conflict when Kushan forces attacked Ban Chao in Wakhan. The Kushans withdrew due to lack of supplies.
91 CE
Northern Xiongnu Flee to Ili River Valley
The Northern Xiongnu fled into the Ili River valley, allowing the nomadic Xianbei to occupy the area from Manchuria to the Ili River. This marked the effective end of Northern Xiongnu power in the region.
Protector General Office Reinstated
The office of Protector General of the Western Regions was reinstated and bestowed on Ban Chao, formalizing Han control over the Silk Road trade routes and Central Asian territories.
92 CE
Eunuch Intervention in Court Politics Begins
With the aid of eunuch Zheng Zhong, Emperor He had Empress Dowager Dou put under house arrest and her clan stripped of power. This marked the beginning of significant eunuch involvement in Eastern Han court politics.
97 CE
Unsuccessful Mission to Rome
Emperor He initiated an unsuccessful diplomatic mission to Rome with Gan Ying as emissary. Though the mission failed to reach Rome, it demonstrated Han interest in establishing contact with the distant Roman Empire.
105 CE
Cai Lun Invents Modern Papermaking
Cai Lun invented the standard papermaking process, revolutionizing writing materials and information storage. This innovation would have profound impacts on education, administration, and cultural transmission throughout Chinese history.
107 CE
Qiang Rebellion and Financial Crisis
A widespread Qiang rebellion lasted from 107 to 118 AD, coinciding with a turbulent financial crisis. Empress Deng Sui managed state affairs as regent during this challenging period for the Eastern Han dynasty.
118 CE
Qiang Rebellion Ends
The Qiang rebellion that had lasted over a decade finally ended, allowing the Eastern Han government to restore stability to the western regions and focus on other administrative challenges.
129 CE
Hadrian Refounds Jerusalem as Aelia Capitolina
Emperor Hadrian visited Judaea and refounded Jerusalem as the Roman colony Aelia Capitolina, overlaying the destroyed Jewish city with a new Roman urban plan. This included construction of a Temple to Jupiter on the site of the former Jewish Temple, which helped spark the Bar Kokhba Revolt.
132 CE
Bar Kokhba Revolt
The Bar Kokhba Revolt (132–135 CE) was sparked by Hadrian's measures and restrictions on Jewish practices. After crushing the uprising, Roman forces expelled most Jews from Jerusalem and rebuilt the city as a statement of imperial power and domination.
166 CE
Roman Embassy Reaches Han Court
A Roman embassy, possibly merchants rather than official diplomats, reached the court of Emperor Huan. This represented the furthest extent of direct contact between the Roman and Han empires along the Silk Road.
167 CE
Partisan Prohibitions Begin
Emperor Huan permanently barred Li Ying and his associates from serving in office after their imprisonment on dubious treason charges, marking the beginning of the Partisan Prohibitions that would plague the late Eastern Han.
180 CE
Accession of Commodus
The accession of Commodus in 180 marked what contemporary historian Cassius Dio called the descent 'from a kingdom of gold to one of rust and iron.' This event is considered by some historians as the beginning of the Empire's decline, ending the period of the 'Five Good Emperors.'
184 CE
Yellow Turban and Five Pecks of Rice Rebellions
Large-scale Taoist religious rebellions led by Zhang Jue and Zhang Lu erupted across the empire. The Yellow Turban Rebellion spread across eight provinces while the Five Pecks of Rice Rebellion occurred in northern Sichuan and southern Shaanxi.
189 CE
He Jin Assassinated by Eunuchs
General-in-chief He Jin was assassinated by eunuchs after plotting with Yuan Shao to overthrow them. His death triggered a violent confrontation that would lead to the massacre of court eunuchs and the collapse of central authority.
Massacre of Palace Eunuchs
Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu besieged both palaces in Luoyang, leading to the massacre of approximately two thousand eunuchs. This violent purge effectively ended eunuch power but also destroyed the remaining imperial authority.
191 CE
Dong Zhuo Burns Luoyang
General Dong Zhuo burned Luoyang to the ground and resettled the court at Chang'an, demonstrating the complete breakdown of imperial authority. This destruction of the capital symbolized the end of effective Han rule.
192 CE
Dong Zhuo Assassinated
Dong Zhuo was killed by his adopted son Lü Bu in a plot hatched by Wang Yun. This assassination removed a major warlord but did not restore imperial authority, as other military leaders continued to compete for power.
196 CE
Capital Moved to Xuchang
Emperor Xian was persuaded by Cao Cao to move the capital to Xuchang, effectively placing the emperor under Cao Cao's control. This marked Cao Cao's emergence as the dominant power behind the throne.
200 CE
Battle of Guandu
Cao Cao defeated Yuan Shao at the Battle of Guandu, greatly diminishing Yuan's power and establishing Cao Cao as the dominant warlord in northern China. This victory was crucial in Cao Cao's rise to supreme power.
208 CE
Battle of Red Cliffs
Cao Cao suffered a major naval defeat at the Battle of Red Cliffs, preventing his unification of China and leading to the division of the empire into three spheres of influence controlled by Cao Cao, Sun Quan, and Liu Bei.
212 CE
Constitutio Antoniniana - Universal Citizenship
During the reign of Caracalla, Roman citizenship was granted to all freeborn inhabitants of the empire through the Constitutio Antoniniana. This legal egalitarianism required a far-reaching revision of existing laws and fundamentally changed the nature of Roman identity.
215 CE
Zhang Lu's Rebellion Ends
Zhang Lu's Five Pecks of Rice rebellion in northern Sichuan and southern Shaanxi was finally quelled after lasting over three decades. This ended one of the last major religious rebellions against Han authority.
220 CE
Cao Cao Dies
Cao Cao, the dominant warlord who had controlled the Han emperor for decades, died. His death set the stage for his son Cao Pi to formally end the Han dynasty and establish the Wei dynasty.
End of Han Dynasty
Cao Pi forced Emperor Xian to relinquish the throne and became Emperor Wen of Wei, formally ending the Han dynasty. This marked the beginning of the Three Kingdoms period and the end of over 400 years of Han rule.
235 CE
Crisis of the Third Century Begins
The Empire was engulfed by the Crisis of the Third Century, a 49-year period of invasions, civil strife, economic disorder, and plague that threatened its existence. The Gallic and Palmyrene empires broke away from the state during this tumultuous period.
270 CE
Aurelian Reunifies the Empire
Emperor Aurelian stabilized the empire militarily and reunified it after the Crisis of the Third Century. His successful campaigns restored imperial unity and ended the breakaway Gallic and Palmyrene empires.
285 CE
Diocletian's Reforms and Tetrarchy
Diocletian reorganized and restored much of the empire in 285, dividing it into four regions each ruled by a separate tetrarch. His reign brought the empire's most concerted effort against Christianity, known as the 'Great Persecution.'
303 CE
Great Persecution of Christians
Diocletian undertook the most severe persecution of Christians from 303 to 311, representing the empire's most concerted effort against the perceived threat of Christianity. This was the last and most systematic attempt to eliminate Christianity from the Roman Empire.
312 CE
Constantine Becomes First Christian Emperor
Constantine the Great became the first emperor to convert to Christianity, fundamentally changing the relationship between the Roman state and Christianity. His conversion marked the beginning of Christianity's transformation from a persecuted religion to the dominant faith of the empire.
330 CE
Foundation of Constantinople
Constantine the Great moved the imperial seat from Rome to Byzantium in 330 and renamed it Constantinople. This established a new capital in the East that would become the center of the Byzantine Empire and survive for over a thousand years.
395 CE
Death of Theodosius I - Final Division
Theodosius I, the last emperor to rule over both East and West, died in 395 after making Christianity the state religion. His death marked the permanent division of the empire into Eastern and Western halves, each with its own emperor.
476 CE
Fall of the Western Roman Empire
Romulus Augustulus was forced to abdicate to the Germanic warlord Odoacer, marking the end of the Western Roman Empire. Odoacer declared Zeno sole emperor and placed himself as Zeno's nominal subordinate, effectively ending Western imperial rule.
1453 CE
Fall of Constantinople
The Eastern Roman Empire, called the Byzantine Empire by later historians, continued until Constantine XI Palaiologos died in battle in 1453 against Mehmed II and his Ottoman forces during the siege of Constantinople. This marked the final end of the Roman Empire after over 1,400 years.