The history of Ancient China saw the emergence of all the major elements of later Chinese civilisations. These included Confucianism, the philosophies which would shape much of later Chinese society and culture; a highly sophisticated bureaucratic state; and the principle that China is best governed by a single ruler.
To go to the first map in this unit, Ancient China 500 BCE, please click HERE.
In this unit, a sequence of maps offers a panoramic overview of the history of Ancient China, between 500 BCE and 500 CE (for the earlier history of China, see the unit Early Civilizations).
The period covered by this sequence of maps includes:
- the emergence of Confucian teachings and it rivals;
- the period of the “Warring States”;
- the unification of China under the short-lived Qin dynasty, followed by the long-enduring Han dynasty;
- the fall of the Han dynasty and the period of disunity which followed;
- the “barbarian” invasions of northern China and the emergence of states under non-Chinese dynasties; and
- the beginnings of the movement towards re-unification which would bear fruit later, under the Sui and Tang dynasties.
For the start of this unit, please go to Ancient China 500 BCE.