The World up to 1200 CE

Shang Dynasty

Shang Dynasty

China

• developed Chinese writing

• bronze metallurgy

Zhou Dynasty

China

• “Mandate of heaven” established, which justified rulers’ authority

• philosophy teachings like daoism emerged

Qin Dynasty

China

• marked beginning of imperial china

• construction of the great wall of china began

Han Dynasty

China

• Expanded borders

• established silk road for trade

Tang Dynasty

China

• Buddhism promoted

• trade route expansion

Song Dynasty

China

• tech innovations

• cultural renaissance

Indus Valley Civilization

India

• urban planning

• early writing

• declined mysteriously after 1300 BCE

Vedic Period

India

• laid foundation for hinduism

• saw rise of early kingdoms

Maruya Empire

India

• First major empire to unify india

• promoted buddhism

Gupta Empire

India

• marked golden age for science, math literature and art

Ancient Mesopotamia

Middle East

• Known as the cradle of civilization

• developed one of the first writing systems

• had legal, administrative and cultural advancements

Achaemenid Empire

Middle East

• One of the largest empires of the ancient world

• Spread Zoroastrianism (An early monotheistic religion)

Rashidun and Umayyad Caliphate

Middle East

• Expanded Islamic Rule

Abbasid Caliphate

Middle East

• Expanded Islamic rule

• Fostered a golden age of science, art, philosophy and overall knowledge

Classical Greece

• Political, cultural and intellectual achievement

• Developed ideas on ethics, politics and reality/ modern though

Rome’s history before 1200

Rome went from small city-state into a powerful empire

Roman Republic

• Complex system of governance

• Had military conquest and alliance

Republic transition into the Roman Empire

• The beginning of Pax Romana, a period of peace

• Roman law developed

Fall of the Western Roman Empire

Marked the end of ancient rome

Ancient Egypt

Africa

• One of the earliest and most influential civilization

Kingdom of Askum

Africa

• Powerful trading empire

• Adopted Christianity, becoming one of the earliest Christian states

Ghana

Africa

• Controlled trade routes

• Helped spread Islam through trade networks

Olmec Civilization

Americas

• “Mother culture” of the region

• Developed early forms of writing and complex urban centers

Maya Civilization

Americas

• Created complex calendar system

• Advanced understanding of astronomy

• Built impressive cities

Chavin and Moche

Americas

• Known for sophisticated art, metallurgy and architecture

Nazca Civilization

Americas

• Created the famous geoglyph, Nazca Lines ( Large drawing into the ground, think chicken little alien grass thing)

Mississippian Culture

Americas

• Laid the groundwork for cultural diversity and tech innovations