The Qin and Han Dynasties in China and the Roman Empire were two magnificent civilizations that shared the same era.

These two major ancient worlds are having a "dialogue" of sorts outside the limits of time and space at an exhibition in Italy. "Qin-Han and Roman Civilizations" opened at the Venice Palace in Rome on Thursday.

The exhibition is one of the opening programs to celebrate China culture Year in Italy. The exhibition has already been shown in two Chinese cities, Beijing and Luoyang, as well as the Italian city Milan.

Nearly five-hundred cultural relics from China’s Qin and Han Dynasties and from ancient Rome are being shown at the exhibition. There were gathered from more than 70 Chinese and Italian museums.

Ancient Rome and the Qin and Han dynasties prospered at around the same time, both playing a crucial role in the the development of Western and Eastern culture.

China’s chaotic warring states period came to an end in the third Century B.C. when Qin conquered six rivaling states and put the whole of China under its rule.

The Han Dynasty inherited the laws and institutional systems of its predecessor and laid the foundation for the country.

During the same period, Rome conquered the area around the Mediterranean Sea.

The two ancient empires echoed each other’s achievements. Each has a far reaching influence over the Western and Eastern civilizations and their political systems, architecture, and codes of conduct.

The exhibition runs until February 6th of next year.

Visitors walk in "The Two Empires: The Eagle and The Dragon"
exhibition at Palazzo Venezia in Rome. （AFP/Filippo Monteforte）