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Shang Dynasty of China, c. 1100 BCE
This map illustrates the rise and expansion of the Shang dynasty, which emerged around 1600 BCE after the fall of the Xia dynasty. Centered on the North China Plain, the Shang established a hereditary monarchy with a centralized government...
Definition
Late Period of Ancient Egypt
The Late Period of Egypt (525-332 BCE) is the era following the Third Intermediate Period (1069-525) and preceding the brief Hellenistic Period (332-323 BCE) when Egypt was ruled by the Argead officials installed by Alexander the Great prior...
Definition
Early Dynastic Period In Egypt
The Early Dynastic Period in Egypt (c. 3150 - c. 2613 BCE) is the beginning of the historical era of the country during which the regions of Upper Egypt (south) and Lower Egypt (north) were united as one country under a centralized government...
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Map of the Tang Dynasty of China, c. 669 CE
The Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE) represents one of the high points of imperial Chinese history, reaching its widest territorial extent during the reign of Emperor Gaozong (reign 649–683 CE). By the late 7th century, around 669 CE, the empire...
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Daily Life in Ancient China
Daily life in ancient China changed through the centuries but reflected the values of the presence of gods and one's ancestors in almost every time period. Villages like Banpo show evidence of a matriarchal society, where there was a priestly...
Definition
Second Intermediate Period of Egypt
The Second Intermediate Period (c. 1782 - c.1570 BCE) is the era following the Middle Kingdom of Egypt (2040-1782 BCE) and preceding the New Kingdom (1570-1069 BCE). As with all historical designations of the eras of Egyptian history, the...
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Religion in Ancient China
Religious practices in ancient China go back over 7,000 years. Long before the philosophical and spiritual teachings of Confucius and Lao-Tzu developed or before the teachings of the Buddha came to China, the people worshipped personifications...
Definition
Sima Qian
Sima Qian (l. 145/135-86 BCE) was a court scribe, astrologer, and historian of the Han Dynasty (202 BCE - 220 CE) of ancient China, famous for his historical work Records of the Grand Historian for which he is remembered as the Father of...
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Map of the Ming Dynasty of China, 1368-1644
The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) marked the restoration of native Han Chinese rule after the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). Founded by the Hongwu Emperor (Zhu Yuanzhang, reign 1368-1398), the Ming state reasserted centralized...
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Family Tree of the Ptolemaic Dynasty of Egypt (305-30 BCE)
The Ptolemaic Dynasty (305–30 BCE) ruled Egypt during the Hellenistic age, emerging from the fragmentation of Alexander the Great’s empire after his death in 323 BCE. Founded by Ptolemy I Soter (reign 305–282 BCE), one of Alexander’s generals...