Key Terms
A sequence of rulers from the same family, often where leadership is inherited or passed down through family lines.
What is a dynasty?
The period after the Warring States period, 221-207 B.C., after King Zheng unified China.
When was the Qin Dynasty?
Born from a peasant family, he began his career as a police officer under the Qin dynasty. He turned rebel after the death of Qin Shi Huang Di and became the first emperor of the Han dynasty, reigning from 202-195 BC. Later known as Emperor Gaozu of Han.
Who is Liu Bang?
The site located close to the Emperor Qin Shi Huang Di's mausoleum, filled with a lifelike army in formation, supposedly protecting the Emperor's tomb.
What is the Terracotta Army site?
This text was written by Sima Qian during the reign or Emperor Wu Di. It was a complete history of China that drew on many types of sources including written sources, oral sources/traditions, sites, relics and other non-written sources. It included five sections: basic annals, chronological tables, treatises, hereditary houses and memoirs.
What are the "Records of the Grand Historian"?
The divine source of authority and the right to rule of China's early kings and then emperors. An important element was that although a ruler was given great power, he also had a moral obligation to use it for the good of his people. If a ruler did not do this, then his state would suffer terrible disasters and he would lose the right to govern.
What is the "Mandate of Heaven"?
206-195 B.C., also known as the reign of Emperor Han Gaozu. Leading to a return to Confucian ideals, though many Legalist practices still occured during this time.
When is the reign of Lui Bang?
King of Qin from 247-221 BC. He was the first ruler to unify China and took the name Qin Shi Huang Di after his final conquest. He became the first emperor of the Qin dynasty, reigning over all of China from 221-210 BC.
Who is Ying Zheng?
Mostly located to the north of China as a protection against the nomadic people of the North, like the Xiongnu. Qin Shi Huang Di is often attributed with the build, however, he merely joined pieces together from predecessors and the whole build was not complete until much later, possibly the 17th Century.
Where is the Great Wall of China?
Also known as "Lessons for Women", this text was written by Ban Zhao. The theme was of subservience to men and others, though not as ignorant servants. It encouraged women to be humble and educated so they may also teach their children before the males went off to schools.
What are the "Admonitions of Women"?
A political philosophy that emphasized strict adherence to laws and a powerful, centralized state.
What is Legalism?
140-87 B.C. one of the longest and most consistent reigns in China during this period. Attributed with changes such as the development and implentation of the imperial academy and reduction of the power and influence of the Chancellor.
When is the reign of Emperor Wu Di?
A Chinese historian during the early Han dynasty. He is considered the father of Chinese historiography for the Shiji (sometimes translated into English as Records of the Grand Historian), a general history of China covering more than two thousand years from the rise of the legendary Yellow Emperor to the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, during which time he wrote. He was castrated for offending the Emperor who accused him of treason when he spoke on behalf of a general who surrendered to the Xiongnu.
Who is Sima Qian?
Located in Changsha, one of the hottest cities in China. These Han tombs held the greatest find of the Han period, including the most well preserved body, the largest personal library of books (many of which were thought to be lost), many in-tact and well preserved items for everyday life, hundreds or recipes and medicines and the tomb of a high ranking official (Li Cang, the Marquis of Dai).
What is the Mawangdui tombs?
This 2.05 metre long T-shaped banner lay on top of the interior coffin containing located in one of the Mawangdi tombs. In the centre is a woman with a cane which is reflective of body whose legs showed a healed fracture. This banner is possibly the earliest known portrait of a historical personage in Chinese history.
What is the Portrait of Lady Dai?
What is Confucianism?
188-180 B.C. Upon the death of her son Huidi, she placed an infant on the throne and when he died, she replaced him with another. She was able to rule as regent. Historians hold her responsible for the death of four princes who had stronger claims to the throne. During her reign she also was proposed to by the Xiongnu ruler but turned him down, but aslo asking that he not invade China.
When is the reign of Empress Lu?
Born Liu Che, was the emperor of the Han dynasty from 141 to 87 BCE and is renowned for his military conquests and expansionist policies. He initiated an ambitious campaign against the nomadic Xiongnu tribe, aiming to secure the northern borders of his empire. He was known forconsistently refusing to appoint sons of powerful families to high office, preferring to choose his own appointees. He is also the emperor in power when the Shiji was being written.
Who is Han Wu Di?
Formally known as Chang'an and one of the oldest and most important capitals in Chinese history. Located close to the Emperor Qin Shi Huang Di's Mausoleum Site and Terracotta Warriors Site.
What is Xi'An?
Traditionally attributed to Dong Zhongshu, though written long after his death, this book attempted to explain the rise and fall of previous rulers in terms of a five-phase theory marked by different elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water.
What is the "Luxuriant Gems of the Spring and Autumn"?
Translates to "Records of the Grand Historian" and was written by Sima Qian during the Han period under Emperor Wu Di's reign.
What is Shiji?
In 124 B.C. the emperor named fifty students to study with the five Erudite Scholars the Confucian Classics. These texts were considered the most important texts of the Confucian canon. These students could then enter the govenment, leading to growing quickly, enrolling 3000 students in the next 75 years. This spread into smaller establishments in local regions with similar benefits.
When was the beginning of the imperial academy?
She was tutored by Ban Zhou while her husband was alive and then became dowager empress in 106 C.E. upon his death. Her advisor was Ban Zhou until 120 C.E., who died at 75 years of age. She held the position of dowager empress until her own death in 121 C.E.
Who is Empress Deng Sui?
Located to the west of Xiongnu, this empire is also known as Ferghana. Emperor Wu Di sent an envoy to these tribal people in hopes to secure an alliance with them against the Xiongnu, however, the envoy never arrived, being taken by prisoner by the Xiongnu and held for over ten years.
Where is the Yuezhi Empire?
The Erudite Scholars specialised in these five texts: The Book of Changes, The Book of Documents, The Book of Songs, The Book of Rites and The Spring and Autumn Annals.
What are the Confucian Classics?