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1600 BCE
King Jie of the Xia Dynasty dies, ending the dynasty
The Xia Dynasty (c. 2070-1600 BCE) was the first government to emerge in ancient China and the first to adopt the policy of dynastic succession. Consequently, the Xia was the first dynasty of China. Long regarded as a mythical construct of later Chinese historians, 20th-century excavations uncovered sites which corresponded to descriptions in earlier historians' accounts. -
Period: 1600 BCE to 1100 BCE
Shang Dynasty
The Shang Dynasty is the earliest ruling dynasty of China to be established in recorded history, though other dynasties predated it. The Shang ruled from 1600 to 1046 B.C. and heralded the Bronze Age in China. They were known for their advances in math, astronomy, artwork and military technology. -
Period: 1250 BCE to 1192 BCE
Reign of Emperor Wu Ding of the Shang Dynasty
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1100 BCE
Zhou Dynasty begins in China
The Zhou Dynasty made significant cultural contributions to agriculture, education, military organization, Chinese literature, music, philosophical schools of thought, and social stratification as well as political and religious innovations. -
Period: 770 BCE to 481 BCE
Life of Confucius
Confucius is known as the first teacher in China who wanted to make education broadly available and who was instrumental in establishing the art of teaching as a vocation. He also established ethical, moral, and social standards that formed the basis of a way of life known as Confucianism. -
Period: 544 BCE to 496 BCE
Sun Tzu, the author of the Art of War is born
Little is known of Sun Tzu's early life. He was originally born Sun Wu, the son of an aristocrat during the Spring and Autumn period of Ancient China. He had a strong interest in battle and became a mercenary soldier. Over time Sun Tzu gained a reputation as a good leader of soldiers. -
Period: 481 BCE to 221 BCE
Warring States Period
Ultimately the Qin state was victorious and established the first unified Chinese state. Besides incessant warfare, and probably because of it, the period saw significant developments in society, commerce, agriculture, philosophy, and the arts, setting the foundations for the subsequent flourishing of Imperial China. -
341 BCE
The crossbow is used for the first time in battle
The crossbow was introduced into Chinese warfare during the Warring States period (481-221 BCE). Developing over the centuries into a more powerful and accurate weapon, the crossbow also came in versions light enough to be fired with one hand, some could fire multiple arrows, and there evolved a heavier artillery model which could be mounted on a rotating and movable base. -
Period: 256 BCE to 195 BCE
Region of Liu Bang
Liu Bang (256–195 BC), also called Emperor Gaozu when he ruled, was the first emperor of the Han Dynasty from 202 BC till his death. Rising from a humble peasant background, he become an outstanding politician, strategist, and finally emperor. He made great contributions to the development of the Han people and its culture. -
Period: 221 BCE to 206 BCE
Qin Dynasty
Qin Dynasty was the first unified, multi-national and power-centralized state in the Chinese history. ... Although surviving only 15 years, the dynasty held an important role in Chinese history and it exerted great influence on the following dynasties. -
Period: 210 BCE to 209 BCE
The Terracotta Army is buried
The Reason Behind the Terracotta Army
Qin Shi Huangdi was buried with the terracotta army and court because he wanted to have the same military power and imperial status in the afterlife as he had enjoyed during his earthly lifetime. -
Period: 202 BCE to 220
Han Dynasty
The dynasty was founded by Liu Bang, later the Gaozu emperor (reigned 206–195 BCE), a man of humble birth who led the revolt against the repressive policies of the preceding short-lived Qin dynasty. The Han copied the highly centralized Qin administrative structure, dividing the country into a series of administrative areas ruled by centrally appointed officials and developing a salaried bureaucracy in which promotion was based primarily on merit. -
Period: 141 BCE to 87 BCE
Region of Wudi
Wu-di's accomplishments brought military security to China, and made a vast area of the world aware for the first time of the magnificence of Chinese civilization. Wu-di had the satisfaction of receiving as ambassadors and submissive tributaries representatives from all of North, East, and Central Asia. -
100 BCE
Invention of paper
The invention of paper greatly helped the spread of literature and literacy, making books more convenient to use and cheaper. ... Paper was so highly valued in ancient China that it was used to pay tribute and taxes to the state during the Tang dynasty (618-907 CE). -
Period: 9 to 23
Reign of Emperor Wang Mang