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Period: 300 BCE to 201 BCE
The Spread of Buddhism and Hinduism in Southeast Asia
Buddhism and Hinduism spread north from India into central Asia and China. Merchants traveling on the Silk Roads helped spread these religions and influence many people to convert to either Buddhism or Hinduism. Southeast Asians began to build temples with an Indian architecture. -
Period: 200 BCE to 101 BCE
Introduction of Buddhism in Central Asia
Buddhism first established in oasis towns near the Silk Road. Oasis towns depended on trade greatly and nomadic people would visit and be interested in the religion. As a result, nomadic people, merchants, etc. would continue to travel and tell others about the religion. -
Period: 139 BCE to 126 BCE
Travels of Zhang Qian in central Asia
Zhang Qian had a mission to travel and search for allies who could help defeat the nomadic Xiongu people. However, he had to travel through the land they controlled and was held captive comfortably for 10 years. Zhang Qian did bring back information of Chinese goods being sold. This gave him the idea of establishing trade between China and India. -
Period: 100 BCE to 1 BCE
Introduction of Buddhism to China
The Buddhist religion was introduced to China by foreign Indian and Parthian merchants. Chinese people observed the Buddhist religion and responded positively. Eventually, Buddhism became the most popular religion in China and other parts of southeast Asia. -
Period: 101 to 200
Spread of Christianity in the Mediterranean basin and southwest Asia
A famous missionary named Gregory the Wonderworker continuously spread the word about Christianity in central Anatolia and other places throughout the Mediterranean basin. He preached the Christian doctrine,expelled demons, etc. Once Christianity became popular in the Roman Empire, the religion traveled and became popular in southwest Asia through various trade routes. -
184
Yellow Turban Rebellion
Chinese peasants who were upset created a rebellion called the Yellow Turban Rebellion. They wore yellow headbands to represent the color of the Chinese earth and their peasant origins. Even thought this rebellion was quickly stopped, it became one of the first of many rebellions in the Han Dynasty. -
Period: 216 to 272
Life of Mani
Mani was a prophet that created the Manichaeism religon. He was a Zoroastrian and used Zoroastrianism, Christianity, and Buddhism as influences to create this religion. Mani viewed the world as a struggle between the forces of good and evil and he was a missionary that traveled and promoted his faith. -
220
Collapse of the Han Dynasty
Once epidemic diseases affected China, internal political problems began to weaken the Han Dynasty. Authorities lost their ability to keep organization and order and the government system disappeared. After the downfall of the Han Dynasty, China began to experience cultural changes. -
Period: 284 to 305
Reign of Diocletian
An emperor of the Roman Empire who attempted to fix the problem of having a huge empire by dividing the empire into districts. The eastern district contained wealthy people. Diocletian helped bring Roman armies under imperial control and stabilized the economy. -
313
Edict of Milan and the legalization of Christianity in the Roman empire
Emperor Constantine had a vision about the power of the Christian God. He believed the Christian God helped him defeat his rivals so he promoted the Edict of Milan. The Edict of Milan allowed people to openly practice Christianity in the Roman Empire. -
Period: 313 to 337
Reign of Constantine
The son of Diocletian who ruled the Roman Empire after his father. He defeated all his enemies and built a capital city called Constantinople. The city served as a site overlooking the eastern Mediterranean and various other places. -
325
Council of Nicaea
A group of bishops who discussed religious situations and problems in their district. They discussed possible conclusions and official Christian doctrine. This council often discussed Jesus' nature, whether he is human or godlike. -
451
Council of Chalcedon
The fourth council held in the Christian church that also discussed the issue of Jesus' nature that was never fully resolved. -
476
Collapse of the western Roman empire
Attila, leader of the Huns had placed pressure or influenced the Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Vandals, Franks, and other German people. They attacked the Roman empire and established settlements in the western Roman empire.
