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Roman Empire
The Roman Empire, at its height (c. 117), was the most extensive political and social structure in western civilization. Building upon the foundation laid by the Roman Republic, the empire became the largest and most powerful political and...
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Extent of the Gupta Empire, 320-550 CE
This map shows conquests made by emperors of the Gupta dynasty in the 4th century CE and early 5th century CE. Of these three rulers—Chandragupta I (320 – 335 CE), Samudragupta (c. 335 – 375 CE) and Chandragupta II (c. 380 – 414 CE)—Samudragupta’s...
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Gupta Dynasty India, 320 - c. 550 CE
A map illustrating the rise to power and expansion of the Gupta dynasty in India. Once rulers of the Magadha (now Bihar) kingdom, between the early 300s and mid-500s, they held an empire in northern and parts of central and western India...
Definition
Western Roman Empire
The Western Roman Empire is the modern-day term for the western half of the Roman Empire after it was divided in two by the emperor Diocletian (r. 284-305 CE) in c. 285/286 CE. The Romans themselves did not use this term. At its height (c...
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Extent of the Gupta Empire, 375 CE
This map shows the extent of the Gupta Empire at the end of Emperor Samudragupta’s reign in around 375/380 CE. It shows in detail the core region or base of the Gupta dynasty and the extensive conquests made by Samudragupta, as well as the...
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Gupta Empire Coin: Kacha Type
This coin issued by an emperor of the Gupta dynasty (either Samudragupta or Kacha/Kachagupta) shows the King dressed in a Scythian-style coat, trousers and cap and Indian-style necklace and earrings with a halo around his head. He is...
Definition
Empire of Nicaea
The Empire of Nicaea was a successor state to the Byzantine Empire, or rather a Byzantine Empire in exile lasting from 1204 to 1261 CE. The Empire of Nicaea was founded in the aftermath of the sacking of Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade...
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Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire existed from 330 to 1453. It is often called the Eastern Roman Empire or simply Byzantium. The Byzantine capital was founded at Constantinople by Constantine I (r. 306-337). The Byzantine Empire varied in size over the...
Definition
Gandhara Civilization
The Gandhara Civilization existed in what is now Northern Pakistan and Afghanistan from the middle of the 1st millennium BCE to the beginning of the 2nd millennium CE. Although multiple major powers ruled over this area during that time...
Definition
Mali Empire
The Mali Empire (1240-1645) of West Africa was founded by Sundiata Keita (r. 1230-1255) following his victory over the kingdom of Sosso (c. 1180-1235). Sundiata's centralised government, diplomacy and well-trained army permitted a massive...