Timeline by Benjamin Brown

Shang Dynasty 1700-1122 BCE

benjaminbrown25 — 2024-03-05 18:34:14 UTC

Under the Shang, Chinese Bronze Age civilization fully emerges into the light of history. The first real cities of ancient East Asia, with tens of thousands of inhabitants, have appeared here.

Zhou Dynasty 1045-256 BCE

benjaminbrown25 — 2024-03-05 18:35:02 UTC

The Shang dynasty has been replaced by the Zhou dynasty as rulers of ancient China (1122 BCE). The Zhou will be the longest-enduring dynasty in China’s history. Their ancestors had previously ruled a border territory regarded as semi-barbarian by the Shang court. The change of dynasty, however, has seen no sharp decline in the material level of Chinese culture.

Warring States Period 700-221 BCE

benjaminbrown25 — 2024-03-05 18:38:28 UTC

The past 300 years have been tumultuous ones for China. Indeed, this period of ancient Chinese history is traditionally known as the age of the “Warring States”. The competition between the states increased, and armies grew much larger, with professional generals, often of humble origin, commanding massed ranks of infantry and cavalry. The smaller states were swallowed up in the larger, until only six powerful kingdoms were left.

Confucianism and Daoism Developed 500 BCE

benjaminbrown25 — 2024-03-05 18:39:41 UTC

Confucius (551-479 BCE). In this time of change he calls people back to their ancient duties of honour and obedience.

Legalism Developed 250 BCE

benjaminbrown25 — 2024-03-05 18:41:18 UTC

These states are developing centralised bureaucracies, well-organized armies, and sophisticated tax systems to pay for them. Technological and conomic advances have led to the expansion of commerce, the growth of towns, a flourishing merchant class, the introduction of metal coinage and, centuries before the west, the invention of cast iron. Into this fluctuating environment comes one of the most influential philosophers in world history, Confucius (551-479 BCE). In this time of change he calls people back to their ancient duties of honour and obedience.

Qin Dynasty 221-210 BCE

benjaminbrown25 — 2024-03-05 18:52:52 UTC

Starting in the 250s BCE, one of these states, Qin, conquered all the others, one by one. The rulers of the Qin dynasty were thus the first in China’s history to rule a unified Chinese empire. The Qin imposed a rigid centralization upon the vast country. Their empire lasted barely a generation, however, before it dissolved into anarchy. Out of this chaos a leader eventually emerges who founds the long-lasting Han dynasty.

Han Dynasty 206 BCE-220 CE

benjaminbrown25 — 2024-03-05 18:53:42 UTC

This ruler, who takes the reign-name Gaozu, has adopted much the same centralized system of government as the Qin, but in a milder form. Taxes and labour services are less onerous than under his predecessors, and the laws less severe. He has thus successfully established his rule over the entire country, and the Han dynasty he founds will rule ancient China for 400 years.