Here we explore how imperial structures contributed to set the level of inequality in two ancient empires, the Roman Empire ca. 165 CE and the Chinese Han Empire ca. 2 CE. We estimate the overall levels of imperial inequality as the combination of inequality between and within regions. We find that the Han Empire was, overall, more unequal and extractive than the Roman Empire. Other empires, however, were even more extractive, as shown by a comparison with the Aztec Empire ca. 1492. We argue that higher inequality increased the potential for political instability and the collapse of empires.

  • AssortedBiscuits [they/them]@hexbear.netEnglish
    11·
    1 month ago

    It’s comparing the Roman empire during Pax Romana with Western Han 7 years before it was overthrown and replaced with the short-lived Xin dynasty. Not a very fair comparison.

    • PolandIsAStateOfMind@lemmygrad.mlEnglish
      3·
      1 month ago

      They did the same to Italia itself, it’s basically the reason nothing important happened there in late period and activities and power centres moved to Balkans. Geza Alfoldy in his famous book describe how they were frantically searching for people to do any economical activities and how provincial decurioni literally fleed because their lands were thrown in poverty by loans and liturgies were ruining them.