history of china

Zhou Dynasty (c. 1046 – 256 BCE)

The longest-running dynasty in the history of China, the Zhou Dynasty ruled the region for almost eight centuries. Under the Zhou, culture flourished, and civilisation spread. Writing was codified, coinage was developed, and chopsticks came to be used. It was also during this time that Chinese philosophy blossomed with the birth of the philosophical schools of Confucianism, Taoism and Mohism. This was when some of the greatest Chinese philosophers and poets emerged – Lao-tzu, Tao Chien, Confucius and Sun-tzu amongst many others. The Zhou Dynasty ended with the Warring States period (476 – 221 BCE), in which many city-states began battling one another to become independent entities. It finally came to an end with the victory of Qin Shi Huangdi, who became the first emperor of a unified China

Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE)

Considered the golden age in Chinese history, the Han Dynasty was an era of prolonged stability and prosperity. A central imperial civil service was established to create a strong and organised government. During this period, the Silk Road was opened to connect to the West and bring in trade, foreign cultures and Buddhism

Six Dynasties Period (220 – 586 CE)

Six Dynasties is the collective term for the six successive Han-ruled dynasties, all of which had their capitals at Jianye, which is present-day Nanjing

Sui Dynasty (581 – 681 CE)

The relatively short-lived Sui Dynasty saw great changes as the rule of ethnic Han was reinstalled across China and Chang’an (modern-day Xi’an) became the dynastic capital. This period also saw Buddhism gain prominence, encouraged by Emperor Wen, who converted to Buddhism. The Great Wall was expanded, and the Grand Canal was completed in this time period

Tang Dyansty (618 – 906 CE)

The Tang Dynasty is considered the high point in Chinese civilisation by historians. Its second emperor, Taizong, was regarded as one of the greatest emperors in China. This period was one of the most peaceful and prosperous periods in Chinese history

The Fengxian cave (c. 675 CE) of the Longmen Grottoes, commissioned by Wu Zetian, wikipedia.org

Www.museocineseparma.org Six Dynasties – 16 Kingdoms Period of Division,

Wikipedia.org Yang Guang depicted as Emperor of Sui,

河仓城), These rammed earth ruins of a granary in Hecang Fortress (Chinese: located around 11 kilometres northeast of the Western-han-era Yumen Pass, were built during the Western Han (202 BCE–9 CE), and significantly rebuilt during the Western Jin (280–316 CE), wikipedia.org

Fittings in the form of tigers, Baoji, Shaanxi province, Middle Western Zhou dynasty, c. 900 BC, bronze, wikipedia.org