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340-1453 The Byzantine empire succeeded the Roman Empire in eastern Europe. Establish separate forms of Christianity, leading to a schism between Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. Justinian establishes definitive law code, and Belisarius reconquers much of western Europe. Muslim invaders end the failing empire.
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606-648 King Harsha unifies north India. Tolerant of all religions, and was generous to poor and a advocate for the arts. he constantly traveled across his realm to keep villages loyal, but was assassinated and left no successor, so the empire fell.
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618-907 The Tang Dynasty took the place of the Sui, and Tang Taizong was the strongest leader. He kept taxes and prices low, and had fair law and order within the empire. They created an extensive transportation network and created the equal field system, that worked well until corruption in the government. They established tributary relationships with Korea, Vietnam, and Tibet, and a Confucian administration of merit.
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750- 1258 The Abbasid Dynasty defeats Umayyad army and seizes control of Persia and Mesopotamia. Diverse administration and did not focus on imperial expansion, instead, autonomous military forces expanded Dar al-Islam.
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751-843 Franks heavily influence European development, shifting economic center to Europe. Clovis converts to Christianity, and become protectors of the papacy and the preeminent Germanic peoples. Charles Martel stops Islamic advancement to Europe in the battle of Tours. Charlemagne centralized rule and hesitated to challenge Byzantine empire.
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850-1267 Chola Kingdom unifies southern India, but is very decentralized. Maritime and trading power in the Indian Ocean Basin.
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From 960-1279 the Song dynasty emphasized Confucian administratio, education, and the arts. Song Taizu's administration lacked military expertise, and could not contain nomadic attacks
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1167-current Temujin masters steppe diplomacy and consolidates clans into Mongol empire. Great warriors, Calvary, psychological part of warfare. Create world's largest empire. Takes over Persia, China, and central Asia.
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1230-1337 Mali empire control trans-Saharan trade, and becomes Muslim link in Africa. Extends Dar al-Islam, and Mansa Musa performs Hajj. Very wealthy, houses Islamic scholars.
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1375-1521 Mexica migrate to Tenochtitlan, join Texcoco and Tlacopan to become Aztecs. Hierarchical, emphasis on warriors, child-bearing.Bloodletting rituals, calpulli work communal lands.
