The 1648 Codex · study package

Chinese Dynasties

12 terms drawn from across the corpus, in study-list order. Art and cross-links point back to the home category cards.

#336 · Other Families and Dynasties · Level 1

Qing Dynasty

Qing Dynasty
Original: /div zh:清朝政府 /a /div Vector: /div Sodacan /a · Public domain

Chinese imperial dynasty · 1644–1912 · China

Qing Dynasty was China's final imperial dynasty, founded by Manchus who overthrew the Ming in 1644 and ruled until 1912.

The kit

  • Rise — Qing Dynasty consolidated power when Kangxi, China's longest reigning ruler, put down the Three Feudatories revolt.
  • Conflicts — Qing Dynasty lost the Opium Wars against the United Kingdom as part of its century of humiliation.
  • Achievements — Qing Dynasty carried out the Ten Great Campaigns under the Qianlong emperor and used the Eight Banners military system.
  • Death & succession — Qing Dynasty's last emperor, boy emperor Puyi, was overthrown by Sun Yat-sen in the Xinhai Revolution.

Runs with

China
final imperial dynasty ruling until 1912 open card →
Puyi
last emperor, overthrown in Xinhai Revolution open card →
Boxer Rebellion
initially supported by Empress Dowager Cixi open card →
Kangxi Emperor
longest reigning ruler, defeated Three Feudatories open card →

The ladder · 15 clues

H

Power under this dynasty was consolidated when the Three Feudatories revolt was put down by Kangxi, China’s longest reigning ruler.

H

This dynasty reformed its military with the help of Zeng Guofeng and Li Hongzhang in the Self-Strengthening Movement.

H

This dynasty signed the Treaty of Nerchinsk to fix borders along the Argun River.

H

Manchurian dynasty during which the rebellion occurred.

H

This dynasty was followed by the short-lived reign of the Hongxian Emperor.

H

This dynasty tried to reform through the Self-Strengthening Movement.

H

This empire’s forces failed to restore Le Chieu Thong to power in Vietnam after the Tay Son Rebellion.

M

A man claiming to be the brother of Jesus, Hong Xiuquan [shiu-chwan], led a rebellion against this dynasty from his capital of Nanjing.

M

During this dynasty, Empress Dowager Cixi initially supported the Boxer Rebellion against Western invaders.

M

Towards the end of this dynasty, the Hundred Days’ Reform was instituted during the reign of the Guangxu emperor.

M

The last ruler of this dynasty, the boy emperor Puyi [], was overthrown by Sun Yat-Sen in the Xinhai [[SHIN-"HIGH"]] Revolution.

M

This dynasty came to power after the Manchus overthrew the Ming in 1644. name this dynasty that ruled until 1912, the last imperial dynasty of China.

E

During the Xinhai Revolution, the government of Sun Yat-sen replaced this dynasty’s last emperor, Puyi. name this final dynasty of China.

E

This dynasty lost the Opium Wars against the United Kingdom as part of its “century of humiliation.” name this last imperial dynasty of China.

E

Near the end of this dynasty, "dowager empress" Cixi [] held effective power. name this final imperial dynasty of China.

10 more clues from the record
H

This dynasty faced the Revolt of the Three Feudatories, while its “Ever Victorious Army” put down another revolt led by a man who claimed to be Jesus Christ.

H

The Ten Great Campaigns were carried out by the Qianlong [“CHIN-long”] emperor during this dynasty that used the Eight Banners military system.

H

The Eight Banners system comprised the military of this dynasty, which was visited by an emissary who refused to perform the kowtow, George Macartney.

H

It required its subjects to wear their hair in a queue and divided its military into the Eight Banners.

H

Hong Xiuquan [zhee-oo-choo-ahn] launched a rebellion against this dynasty to establish the “Heavenly Kingdom.” The Dowager Cixi [see-zhee] took power in this dynasty in the aftermath of the Second Opium War.

H

Final Chinese dynasty, during which Asian piracy reached a peak F

H

The Arrow War was fought by this dynasty, whose first of “three great emperors” was Kangxi.

H

This dynasty carried out the Dzungar genocide.

H

Muslim minorities revolted against this dynasty in the Dungan Revolt, while elements of the New Army did so in the Wuchang Uprising.

H

This dynasty produced the two longest reigning emperors of China, one of whom attacked Vietnam and Burma in the Ten Great Campaigns.

Watch out: Hongxian Emperor (briefly followed Qing but was not part of the dynasty)
#337 · Other Families and Dynasties · Level 1

Ming Dynasty

Ming Dynasty
Albert Herrmann Creator:Q1509115 /a & Georg Westermann · Public domain

Chinese dynasty · 1368–1644 · China

Ming Dynasty was a Chinese dynasty founded by Hongwu Emperor after the Red Turban Rebellion that preceded the Qing Dynasty.

The kit

  • Rise — Ming Dynasty gained power after the Battle of Lake Poyang when founder Zhu Yuanzhang defeated rivals in the Red Turban Rebellion.
  • Achievements — Ming Dynasty constructed the Forbidden City and restored the Grand Canal under the Yongle Emperor, who also sponsored Zheng He's voyages.
  • Conflicts — Ming Dynasty waged the Imjin War against Japan under the Wanli Emperor and dispatched Chen Lin to aid Joseon against Toyotomi Japan.
  • Fall — Ming Dynasty fell in 1644 when Li Zicheng's Shun Dynasty caused its downfall and the last Chongzhen Emperor hung himself.

Runs with

Zheng He
led expeditionary voyages for Ming open card →
Yongle Emperor
moved capital to Beijing, expanded exams open card →
Forbidden City
constructed under Yongle Emperor open card →
Hongwu Emperor
founded dynasty, executed Hu Weiyong open card →

The ladder · 15 clues

H

During this dynasty, the Zhengtong Emperor was captured during the Tumu Crisis and later abdicated in favor of the Jingtai Emperor.

H

Li Zicheng of the Shun Dynasty helped cause the downfall of this empire, which was founded by the Hongwu Emperor.

H

This dynasty’s founder executed the chancellor Hu Weiyong and established the Embroidered Uniform Guard police to secure power.

H

One emperor of this dynasty, the Jingtai Emperor, succeeded an older brother who was captured during the Tumu Crisis.

H

The missionary Matteo Ricci was active during this dynasty.

H

This dynasty accepted the surrender of the Kotte kingdom.

H

The first ruler of this dynasty rose to power after winning the battle of Lake Poyang, and this dynasty crushed the Miao rebellions.

M

This dynasty, which gained power after the Battle of Lake Poyang, was founded by a leader of the Red Turban Rebellion who became Emperor Hongwu.

M

After achieving victory at the Battle of Lake Poyang, Hongwu was able to establish this dynasty at the end of the Red Turban Rebellion.

M

The restoration of the Grand Canal and the construction of the Forbidden City occurred under this dynasty’s Yongle Emperor, who also oversaw the expeditionary voyages led by Zheng He [zhung HUH].

M

The last emperor of this dynasty hung himself at the “guilty pagoda tree” and was the Chongzhen Emperor.

M

This dynasty was founded after the Red Turban Rebellion by a peasant named Zhu Yuanzhang who took a name meaning “vast military,” the Hongwu Emperor.

E

The Yongle Emperor expanded the examination system and moved his capital to Beijing during this dynasty, which constructed the Grand Canal and the Forbidden City and sponsored Zheng He’s voyages.

E

Overthrown in 1644, name this Chinese dynasty that preceded the Qing Dynasty and is known for its porcelain vases.

E

The eunuch Zheng He led voyages for this dynasty. name this Chinese dynasty that preceded the Qing [ching] and is commonly known for its porcelain vases.

10 more clues from the record
H

The Great Bao’en Temple was repaired by this dynasty’s Xuande Emperor, who was the successor of the Yongle [“Yong-le”]Emperor.

H

During this dynasty, Wei Zhongxian destroyed a group of scholars called the Donglin Academy Faction.

H

During this dynasty, one of its emperors commissioned the “Impossible Black Tulip of Cartography” after he was visited by the Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci.

H

This dynasty dispatched Chen Lin to aid the Joseon against Toyotomi Japan, and Li Zicheng’s short-lived Shun dynasty succeeded it.

H

This dynasty waged the Imjin War against Japan under the Wanli emperor.

H

Liu Jin led the Eight Tigers during this dynasty.

H

An encyclopedia commissioned during this dynasty was the world’s largest general encyclopedia until it was surpassed by Wikipedia in 2007.

H

This dynasty allowed the Portuguese to set up a colony at Macau.

H

This dynasty took power after the Red Turban Rebellion.Name this Chinese dynasty that succeeded the Yuan. Artisans during this dynasty’s reign produced remarkably popular blue-and-white pottery.

H

An emperor of this dynasty was presented a qilin(tsee-LIN) that was actually a giraffe.

Watch out: Yuan Dynasty (immediately preceded Ming, not to be confused with successor Qing Dynasty)
#338 · Other Families and Dynasties · Level 1

Han Dynasty

Han Dynasty
DannamEmpire · CC BY 4.0

Chinese dynasty · around 200 BCE to 200 CE · China

Han Dynasty was a Chinese dynasty founded by Liu Bang after overthrowing the Qin that lends its name to China's largest ethnic group.

The kit

  • Rise — Han Dynasty was founded when Liu Bang defeated the state of Chu at the Battle of Gaixia after the Qin dynasty collapsed.
  • Achievements — Han Dynasty's Emperor Wu defeated the Xiongnu Confederation and established the Four Commanderies in Korea, the only successful Chinese occupation of the peninsula.
  • Conflicts — Han Dynasty was interrupted by Wang Mang's Xin dynasty for more than a decade, during which peasants painted their eyebrows red in resistance.
  • Fall — Han Dynasty ended when the Yellow Turban Rebellion kicked off the Three Kingdoms Period, following earlier unrest including the Five Pecks of Rice revolt.

Runs with

China
Xiongnu
defeated the Xiongnu under Emperor Wu open card →
Bakumatsu Period
no connection stated in clues open card →
Liu Bang
founded by Liu Bang open card →

The ladder · 15 clues

H

Wang Mang’s Xin dynasty interrupted this dynasty for more than a decade.

H

This dynasty’s Emperor Jing crushed the Rebellion of the Seven States, allowing him to centralize the government around Chang'an.

H

Li Ling was a general who served this dynasty.

H

SHEE-ang) Yu of the Chu, winning the Battle of Gaixia (pr.

H

Its emperor Wudi defeated the Xiongnu Confederation, and this dynasty was founded when Liu Bang defeated the state of Chu.

H

Its "western" and "eastern" periods are divided by the Xin dynasty and the movement of the capital from Changan to Luoyang. :Name this dynasty, founded by the revolt of Liu Bang.

H

Emperor Ling of this dynasty faced a Daoist uprising led by a man known as “The General of Heaven” in the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

M

Sima Qian [see-ma chee-ahn] wrote the Records of the Grand Historian during the reign of this dynasty’s Emperor Wu.

M

Sima Qian served as a court astrologer during this dynasty, whose history he recorded to finish his massive Records of the Grand Historian.

M

The Yellow Turban Rebellion brought this dynasty to an end, leading to the Three Kingdoms Period.

M

Wang Mang attempted to usurp this dynasty by establishing the Xin [shin] line.

M

After the Qin dynasty collapsed in 206 BCE, it was succeeded by this dynasty. It shares its name with the majority ethnic group in China.

E

Liu Bang founded this dynasty after the downfall of the Qin. name this Chinese dynasty that cultivated the Silk Road.

E

The history of this dynasty, which also names China’s largest ethnic group, was chronicled by Sima Qian [su-mah chee-en].

E

This dynasty came to an end when the Yellow Turban rebellion kicked off the Three Kingdoms Period. name this Chinese dynasty once ruled by Emperor Wu, which gives its name to the main Chinese ethnic group.

10 more clues from the record
H

This dynasty came to power after its founder overthrew the Qin Dynasty name this dynasty that names China’s majority ethnicity.

H

Peasants painted their eyebrows red to stand against a court official who rebelled and interrupted this dynasty with the Xin [“shin”].

H

The founder of this dynasty fought against Xiang (pr.

H

An emperor of this dynasty established the Four Commanderies in Korea, the only successful Chinese occupation of the peninsula.

H

The Celestial Masters launched the Five Pecks of Rice revolt against this dynasty in an attempt to rid the world of decadence.

H

The Chanyu Modu defeated this dynasty at the Battle of Baideng, forcing this dynasty to accept marriage alliances called Heqin [he-chin].

H

In accounts of this dynasty, the wife of its first emperor locked a concubine named Qi in a latrine.

H

Wang Mang, who usurped this Chinese dynasty, attempted to revive the Well-Field System. This dynasty held power from around 200 BCE to 200 CE and lends its name to China’s largest ethnic group.

H

Many proto-Hunnic peoples like the Yuezhi were pushed West in part due to the expansion of this Chinese Dynasty, which largely subdued the Xiongnu under Emperor Wudi.

H

This dynasty’s official Sāng Hóngyáng instituted state control of grain and liquor under an emperor who established Gojoseon’s “Four Commanderies” and Tàixué’s Imperial Academy.

Watch out: Wang Mang's Xin dynasty interrupted the Han, dividing it into Western and Eastern periods
#339 · Other Families and Dynasties · Level 1

Tang Dynasty

Tang Dynasty
Kanguole /a · CC BY-SA 4.0

Chinese dynasty · 618–907 CE · China

Tang Dynasty was a Chinese dynasty ruling 618–907 CE, renowned for cultural achievements including poetry by Li Bai and Du Fu.

The kit

  • Rise — Tang Dynasty succeeded the Sui Dynasty after its founder's son Li Shimin seized power in the Xuanwu Gate Incident.
  • Achievements — Tang Dynasty fostered poetry's growth with masters Li Bai and Du Fu, and produced distinctive sancai lead-glazed pottery.
  • Conflicts — Tang Dynasty faced the devastating An Lushan Rebellion led by general An Lushan, forcing Emperor Xuanzong to execute consort Yang Guifei.
  • Legacy — Tang Dynasty transmitted papermaking to the Western world when its soldiers were captured at the Battle of Talas River.

Runs with

Wu Zetian
briefly interrupted Tang with Second Zhou reign open card →
An Lushan Rebellion
devastated Tang during Emperor Xuanzong's rule open card →
China
ruled China 618–907 CE open card →
Sui Dynasty
succeeded Sui Dynasty after usurpation open card →

The ladder · 15 clues

H

One of the Four Beauties of China, Yang Guifei, was blamed for a rebellion faced by this dynasty.

H

Answer the following about Chinese dynasties, :This dynasty followed the Sui Dynasty but was interrupted by Empress Wu Zetian. name this dynasty which fostered the growth of poetry.

H

This dynasty began to collapse after the rise of jiedushi military governors.

H

Li Jiancheng was assassinated in a coup during this dynasty called the Xuanwu [shu-an-wu] Gate Incident.

H

The Silla kingdom unified Korea against opposition from this dynasty, whose forces gave up the secret to making paper after being defeated by Muslim troops at the Talas River.

H

An alliance between this dynasty and Silla allowed it to oust Goguryeo and end the Three Kingdoms of Korea period.

H

This dynasty, the last to use the "equal field" system of farming, was crippled by the peasant uprising of Huang Chao.

M

The Abbasid Dynasty began making paper after defeating this dynasty at the Battle of the Talas River.

M

This dynasty’s emperor Xuanzong was forced to execute his consort, Yang Guifei, during a massive rebellion led by An Lushan.

M

This dynasty usurped the Sui and was interrupted by the short reign of Empress Wu Zetian.

M

This dynasty’s Xuanzong Emperor faced the rival Yan Dynasty in the An Lushan Rebellion, and it beat the Abbasids at the Battle of the Talas River.

M

Yang Guifei, one of the Four Beauties, lived during this dynasty and was killed after she was accRused of aiding an enemy general.

E

Du Fu and Li Po were poets during this Chinese dynasty that succeeded the Sui Dynasty and experienced the An Lushan Rebellion.

E

The An Lushan Rebellion coincided with famines during this dynasty that was once led by Emperor Xuanzhong. name this Chinese dynasty that followed the Sui.

E

Its first emperor was Taizong, and Li Po and Dufu were famous poets who lived during this dynasty. name this Chinese dynasty that lasted from 618 to 907.

10 more clues from the record
H

One ruler of this dynasty required visitors to perform oral sex on her as a sign of respect, and briefly interrupted this dynasty with the Second Zhou.

H

The Six Steeds of Zhao Mausoleum was made in this dynasty, and a form of lead-glazed "egg-and-spinach" pottery known as sancai is particularly associated with this dynasty.

H

A collection of artifacts from this dynasty was discovered after an Arab dhow carrying its namesake “treasure” shipwrecked off the coast of Belitung.

H

The Jinghai Military Command was a polity controlled by this dynasty in present-day Vietnam prior to the Battle of Bach Dang River.

H

Li Shimin seized power in this dynasty during the Xuanwu Gate Incident.

H

This dynasty’s founder abdicated after Li Shimin killed his brothers at Xuanwu Gate.

H

Papermaking spread to the Western world when soldiers from this dynasty were captured at the Talas River.

H

This dynasty established various Protectorates General to pacify the East, West and North.

H

answer these questions about the apex of Chinese culture.This dynasty that ruled China from AD 618 to 907 was renowned for cultural achievements such as the poetry of Li Bai and Du Fu.

H

This dynasty changed its currency from copper coinage to a form of cheques nicknamed “flying cash”.

Watch out: Empress Wu Zetian briefly interrupted Tang Dynasty with the Second Zhou, but she ruled within the dynasty's timeframe
#341 · Other Families and Dynasties · Level 1

Yuan Dynasty

Yuan Dynasty
Cattette · CC BY 4.0

Mongol-ruled Chinese dynasty · 1271–1368 · China

Yuan Dynasty was the Mongol-ruled Chinese dynasty founded by Kublai Khan after completing the conquest his grandfather Genghis Khan began.

The kit

  • Rise — Yuan Dynasty was established in 1271 by Kublai Khan after he won the Toluid Civil War against Ariq Boke.
  • Achievements — Yuan Dynasty implemented the first paper currency not based on precious metals, called chao, and moved the capital to Dadu.
  • Conflicts — Yuan Dynasty launched two failed invasions of Japan thwarted by kamikaze storms and crushed the Ispah Rebellion in Quanzhou.
  • Fall — Yuan Dynasty fell to the Red Turban Rebellion, which included the future Hongwu emperor and ended Mongol rule in China.

Runs with

Kublai Khan
founded Yuan in 1271 after Toluid Civil War open card →
Mongols
ruling ethnic group placed atop four-tier caste system open card →
China
capital moved to Dadu until Ming rise open card →
Marco Polo

The ladder · 15 clues

H

This dynasty was ended when the Red Turban Rebellion forced Emperor Huizong from office.

H

The Red Turban Revolt, which included the future Hongwu emperor, successfully overthrew this dynasty.

H

Zhang Hongfan put down a resistance against this dynasty at the naval Battle of Yamen, but this dynasty ultimately fell to the Red Turban Rebellion.

H

Arab and Persian merchants led the Ispah Rebellion against this dynasty and were crushed in Quanzhou, the city where Marco Polo began his return trip to Venice after visiting this dynasty.

H

The monk Drogon Phagpa created a namesake alphabet for the founder of this dynasty.

H

This dynasty, which gained power after winning the Battle of Yamen, built its capital at Dadu.

H

This was the first dynasty to implement a paper currency not based on precious metals, a legal tender known as chao.

M

Genghis Khan initiated the Mongol invasions of China; the invasions were completed by his grandson Kublai Khan, who established this Mongol-ruled Chinese dynasty, which succeeded the Song.

M

Under this dynasty, the capital was moved to Dadu until the Red Turban rebellion eventually destroyed this dynasty, leading to the rise of the Ming.

M

Ibn Battuta and Marco Polo visited China during the reign of which dynasty founded by the Mongols?

M

This dynasty used a four-tier caste system that favored northerners over southerners and foreigners over natives.

M

One man who accompanied this dynasty’s princess Kököchin to Persia served as a tax collector here and wrote extensively of this dynasty’s salt trade.

E

This dynasty’s failed invasions of Japan were thwarted by Kamikaze winds. name this dynasty of China founded by Kublai Khan.

E

Strong storms called kamikazes prevented two invasions from this dynasty into Japan. name this Chinese dynasty that was established in 1271 by Kublai Khan.

E

This dynasty named Taizu its honorary first emperor, although it was founded by his grandson, Kublai. name this Chinese dynasty visited by Marco Polo and founded by the Mongols.

10 more clues from the record
H

This dynasty’s theatergoers enjoyed zájù performances of works such as Guān Hànqīng’s The Injustice to Dòu É .

H

Qu lyrics were incorporated into the many popular zaju plays written during this dynasty, such as Li Qianfu's The Chalk Circle.

H

Wang Meng, one of this dynasty’s Four Great Masters of landscape painting, refused to serve this dynasty’s ruling ethnic group.

H

That ruler of this dynasty devised a four-tier social hierarchy, which placed foreigners of the Semu caste above its Han subjects.

H

A ruler of this dynasty asked the monk Drogon Chogyal Phagpa to create an alphabet to unify the written languages of the empire.

H

One leader from this dynasty scored a decisive victory against the chained-up ships of his rival in the Battle of Yamen.

H

Early in the reign of this dynasty, Bamboo Groves in Mist and Rain was painted by artist and poet Guan Daosheng.

H

The founder of this dynasty had previously won the Toluid Civil War after Mongke Khan died.

H

The Manichaeist White Lotus Society expanded its influence during this dynasty, eventually toppling it in the Red Lotus Rebellion.

H

This dynasty’s leadership was forced to consolidate power in a civil war against Ariq Boke.

Watch out: Red Lotus Rebellion (clues mention both Red Turban Rebellion and White Lotus Society)
#344 · Other Families and Dynasties · Level 1

Qin Dynasty

Qin Dynasty
Ian Remsen · CC0

Chinese imperial dynasty · 221–206 BCE · China

Qin Dynasty unified China under Shi Huangdi, adopted Legalism, built the Great Wall, and burned Confucian books.

The kit

  • Rise — Qin Dynasty ended the Warring States period by implementing Shang Yang's Legalist philosophy and land reforms.
  • Achievements — Qin Dynasty's founder Shi Huangdi constructed the Terracotta Army and began building the Great Wall.
  • Conflicts — Qin Dynasty faced assassination attempts including Jing Ke's dagger concealed in a map scroll and Gao Jianli's lead-weighted lute.
  • Legacy — Qin Dynasty collapsed after burying Confucian scholars and burning books, criticized for not altering its Legalist governance style.

Runs with

China
first imperial dynasty to unify China open card →
Terracotta Army
built by founder Shi Huangdi open card →
Chancellor
Li Si served as Legalist chancellor open card →
Mercury
Shi Huangdi drank mercury elixir open card →

The ladder · 15 clues

H

This dynasty adopted Legalism and book-burning under a ruler who began construction of the Great Wall.

H

Land reforms under this dynasty were implemented by Shang Yang.

H

An early member of this dynasty was Duke Mu, one of the Five Hegemons who preceded this dynasty’s dominance.

H

RA eunuch who served this dynasty named Zhao Gao acted as its de facto ruler in the third century BC.

H

This dynasty had a ruler who used a decoy carriage that was destroyed when a strongman assassin threw a heavy metal cone on it.

H

The blind lute player Gao Jianli failed to kill a ruler of this dynasty, whose dead body was concealed in a fish cart so his chancellor, Li Si, could forge his will.

H

One of its rulers visited Zhifu Island in search of immortality and in an attempt to pacify the Ordos region, dispatched General Meng Tian’s forces.

M

Shang Yang's philosophy of Legalism was the primary ideology of this dynasty, which ended the Warring States period.

M

The Warring States period came to an end with the rise of this of this dynasty, whose king Zheng adopted the title Shi Huangdi, or First Emperor, after he united the country.

M

This dynasty, whose chancellor Li Si instituted Legalist policies, was led by a man who supposedly drank an “elixir of life” that was just mercury.

M

Jing Ke [kuh] nearly assassinated a ruler of this dynasty by concealing a dagger inside a map scroll.

M

The burying of the Confucian scholars and burning of the books took place under this Chinese dynasty, as described by Sima Qian’s Records of the Grand Historian.

E

A terracotta army was built for a ruler of this dynasty in which the Great Wall was built under the rule of Shi Huangdi.

E

This dynasty’s founder constructed the Terracotta Army. name this dynasty which first unified China under Shi Huangdi, and was succeeded by the Han.

E

Shi Huangdi was the founder of what first imperial dynasty of China this came before the Han dynasty.

10 more clues from the record
H

One official from this dynasty had an opponent executed using the “Five Pains” method but was himself executed on the orders of this dynasty’s final ruler, Ziying.

H

A prominent chancellor and merchant who served as regent for this dynasty's first ruler was Lu Buwei, who wrote the text Lushi Chunqiu.

H

An emperor from this dynasty, who faced a rebellion from Chen Sheng, allegedly ordered anyone who called a deer a deer executed.

H

Chen Sheng and Wu Guang lead The Daze Village Uprising during the reign of this dynasty.

H

Rebellions near Hanguguan led this dynasty's "Gentleman of the Palace," Zhao Gao, to lead a coup to assassinate the emperor.

H

The statesman Shang Yang made many legal reforms to this dynasty, which helped it end the Warring States period.

H

Jia Yi claimed that this dynasty collapsed because it did not alter its style of government after taking power.

H

A work about the Ten Crimes of this dynasty criticized it using Confucian reasoning.

H

This dynasty’s Legalist minister, Li Si, ordered the burning of many Confucian and political texts.

H

An attempt to assassinate a ruler of this dynasty involved putting lead at the end of a lute.

Watch out: Han Dynasty (immediately succeeded Qin)
#345 · Other Families and Dynasties · Level 1

Song Dynasty

Song Dynasty
p China - Song Dynasty - cs.svg /a : User:Mozzan /a /p ul li · CC BY-SA 3.0

Chinese dynasty · 960–1279 CE · China

Song Dynasty was a Chinese dynasty that ruled between the Tang and Yuan dynasties, pioneering gunpowder, paper currency, and movable type.

The kit

  • Rise — Song Dynasty rose to power after the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period when founder Zhao Kuangyin overthrew the Later Zhou.
  • Achievements — Song Dynasty introduced paper currency, gunpowder, and movable type printing invented by Bi Sheng, and established China's first standing navy.
  • Conflicts — Song Dynasty lost northern China to the Jurchen-led Jin Dynasty in the Jingkang Incident, forcing the capital from Kaifeng to Hangzhou.
  • Legacy — Song Dynasty saw a Confucian resurgence led by Zhu Xi, who canonized the Four Books as the basis for civil service examinations.

Runs with

Jurchen
Jurchen Jin Dynasty conquered northern Song territories in the Jingkang Incident open card →
Gunpowder
Song Dynasty was the first Chinese dynasty to use gunpowder open card →
Jin Dynasty
Song Dynasty fought and lost northern China to the Jin Dynasty open card →
Kublai Khan
Song Dynasty was conquered and succeeded by Kublai Khan's Mongol Yuan Dynasty open card →

The ladder · 15 clues

H

Doubts of Yue Fei’s loyalty to this dynasty led to his execution.

H

During this dynasty, Kaifeng was sacked by the Jirchen in the Jingkang Incident, forcing the capital to be moved to Hangzhou and beginning the Southern period of this dynasty.

H

Wang Anshi created the baojia system for this dynasty. :Name this Chinese dynasty that was followed by the Yuan dynasty. This dynasty fought against the Jin dynasty.

H

The first dynasty to have a standing navy and the inventor of gunpowder was this major Chinese dynasty that came before the Yuan and after the Tang.

H

During this dynasty, Chancellor Wang Anshi implemented the “New Policies,” which were criticized by poet Su Shi, leading to Shi’s eventual exile.

H

That general serving this dynasty had four words tattooed onto his back and was named Yue Fei.

H

The scroll painting Along the River During the Qingming [] Festival was created during this dynasty.

M

During this dynasty, the philosopher Zhu Xi [] formulated the philosophy of the "investigation of things." This dynasty rose to power after the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period.

M

The Jingkang incident occurred during this dynasty, which saw Sima Guang oppose civil service exams introduced by Wang Anshi .

M

Following the short-lived Qingli reforms, this dynasty introduced the New Policies under reformer Wang Anshi, who was opposed by Sima Guang.

M

A feud broke out between Sima Guang and Wang Anshi during this dynasty which broke into “Northern” and "Southern" regions after the Jurchens established the Jin. name this Chinese dynasty which was eventually replaced by the Yuan after falling to the Mongols.

M

During this dynasty, a resurgence of Confucianism was led by Cheng Yi and Zhu Xi [].

E

This was the first dynasty to use gunpowder and introduce paper currency. name this Chinese dynasty that came after the Tang and was succeeded by the Mongol Yuan.

E

The Jingkang Incident began the Southern period of this dynasty, which lost its capital Kaifeng to the Jurchen-led Jin dynasty. name this dynasty conquered by the Mongol Yuan dynasty.

E

This dynasty's Southern period began after it lost control of northern China to the Jurchen Jin Dynasty, moving its capital from Kaifeng to modern-day Hangzhou [].

10 more clues from the record
H

Though this dynasty was the first to establish a standing navy, it was partially conquered by the Jurchen Jin, leading it to be divided into Northern and Southern periods.

H

Advancements made during the reign of this dynasty included the first use of moveable type and paper money.

H

A general from this dynasty was able to escape charges of treason by removing his shirt to reveal a tattoo reading “serve the country with the utmost loyalty.” This dynasty was founded by Yuanlang who led a coup d’etat against Emperor Gong.

H

During this dynasty, Bi Sheng invented the world's first movable type technology.

H

An emperor of this dynasty signed the Shanyuan treaty, elevating the Khitan state of Liao as equals to the imperial dynasty.

H

The forces of this dynasty emerged victorious at the Battle of Fishing Town.

H

This dynasty’s first emperor, Zhào Kuāngyìn , took power after overthrowing the Later Zhōu in the capital of Kāifēng .

H

The Northern, more prosperous period of this dynasty ended after Qinzong's misadventures in bribery led to his abduction in the Jingkang incident by unruly Jurchens.

H

Under this dynasty, Zhang Zeduan created the painting Along the River During the Qingming Festival, and Bi Sheng made the first moveable type.

H

During this dynasty, the scholar Zhu Xi canonized the Four Books and made them the basis of all subsequent civil service examinations.

Watch out: Confused with Tang Dynasty (immediately preceded Song) or Yuan Dynasty (immediately followed Song)
#350 · Other Families and Dynasties · Level 1

Zhou Dynasty

Zhou Dynasty
ul li Territories_of_Dynasties_in_China.gif /a : Ian Kiu /a · CC BY-SA 3.0

Chinese dynasty · 1046–256 BC · China

Zhou Dynasty was the longest-lasting Chinese dynasty, ruling from 1046 to 256 BC after defeating the Shang at Muye.

The kit

  • Rise — Zhou Dynasty was founded when King Wu defeated the Shang at the Battle of Muye in 1046 BC.
  • Achievements — Zhou Dynasty introduced the Mandate of Heaven as legitimacy and implemented the feudal fengjian system with regional marquesses.
  • Conflicts — Zhou Dynasty's capital moved from Xi'an to Loyang after a barbarian attack in 771 BC, ending the Western period.
  • Legacy — Zhou Dynasty saw the Hundred Schools of Thought including Confucius and Laozi before declining into the Warring States period.

Runs with

Spring and Autumn Period
occurred during Zhou's decline open card →
Bakumatsu Period
Wu Zetian
claimed ancestry from King Ping open card →
Tang Dynasty
Wu Zetian moved away from Tang name open card →

The ladder · 15 clues

H

This dynasty was founded after a victory at the Battle of Muye, which allowed King Wu to consolidate power.

H

This dynasty came to power following its victory over Chouhsin at the Battle of Mu-ye.

H

answer these questions about dynasties of China:This longest-ruling Chinese dynasty followed the Shang and preceded the Qin [“chin”]. This dynasty’s Western and Eastern periods ended during the Warring States Period.

H

Philosophers like Confucius flourished during this dynasty's Hundred Schools of Thought. :Name this longest reigning Chinese dynasty, which took power after Ji Fa won against the Shang dynasty at the Battle of Muye (moo-yuh).

H

This dynasty saw the rise of vassal states through the feudal fengjian [fuhng-jeeuhn] system.Name this longest-reigning Chinese dynasty, whose “Western” period ended in 771 BCE.

H

This dynasty’s fēngjiàn system, in which imperial family members ruled as regional marquesses, was originated by a duke of the same name.

H

This dynasty originated from the Wei River, and after a barbarian attack the capital moved from Xi’an to Loyang, ending this dynasty’s Western period.

M

Confucius lived during the Spring and Autumn period, in which what Chinese dynasty, nominally in power from 1046 to 256 BC, was in decline?

M

The Eastern version of this dynasty featured the Hundred Schools of Thought during the Spring and Autumn Period, and this dynasty faded when the Warring States were unified into the Qin dynasty. name this longest-lasting Chinese dynasty.

M

A duke’s suppression of the Rebellion of the Three Guards during this dynasty led to the rise of the decentralized Fengjian system.

M

This dynasty’s King Wu defeated the previous dynasty at the Battle of Muye.

M

This dynasty’s first ruler defeated the previous dynasty at the Battle of Muye, a victory that Jiang Ziya helped King Wu achieve.

E

The civil service of Confucius occurred at the tail end of this dynasty during the Spring and Autumn period. name this early Chinese dynasty after the Shang that gave way to the chaos of the Warring States period.

E

This dynasty was the first to use the Mandate of Heaven, and their decline led to the Warring States Period. They were eventually subsumed by the Qin.

E

Thinkers like Laozi and Confucius lived during this dynasty, the first to claim the Mandate of Heaven as a source of legitimacy, that supplanted the Shang in 1046 BC and was the longest lasting dynasty in Chinese history.

10 more clues from the record
H

Rulers of this dynasty introduced the well-field system and the five-tiered fengjian system of nobility to streamline agriculture.

H

A king of this dynasty named You disgraced the Marquis of Shen after divorcing his daughter for Bao Si, which led to the sacking of Hao.

H

Usurper Wu Zetian claimed ancestry from this dynasty’s King Ping, temporarily moving away from the Tang name.

H

This dynasty legendarily began when Ku’s wife stepped into a giant footprint left by Shangdi.

H

According to one document during this dynasty, the reign of King Yi was marked by a day of the “double dawn” as well as the “day of the double sunset.” That document, The Bamboo Annals was interred with another ruler of this dynasty who themselves believed that their ancestor was an ancient god saved by an eagle who knew about one hundred types of grain called Houji.

H

More successful rulers included Cheng Wang, and at one point this dynasty was threatened by the "Five Overlords." This dynasty saw the introduction of iron farming implements and was the first to implement chariots in battle, scoring its first victory at the battle of Mu-ye.

H

The Warring States period took place during this dynasty. This dynasty was succeeded by the Qin (cheen) dynasty which was initially ruled by Qin Shi Huang Di (cheen she huang dee) who had formerly led the state of Qin to victory over the other states.

H

Knife-shaped money called daobi was widely circulated under this dynasty. :Name this longest-lasting Chinese dynasty, which lost most of its power during the Warring States period. It followed the Shang.

H

Empress Wu proclaimed herself ruler of a new iteration of this dynasty. This dynasty was founded by a namesake duke who created the fengjian feudal system, and included the Spring and Autumn Period.

H

name these things from Chinese history.This dynasty defeated the Shang and built their capital at Xi'an. Originating from the Wei River valley, they are generally regarded as originating the idea of the "Mandate of Heaven.”

Watch out: Qin Dynasty (succeeded Zhou after Warring States unification)
#351 · Other Families and Dynasties · Level 1

Sui Dynasty

Sui Dynasty
Ian Kiu · CC BY 3.0

Chinese dynasty · 581–618 CE · China

Sui Dynasty was a short-lived Chinese dynasty that reunified China after the Southern and Northern Dynasties and built the Grand Canal.

The kit

  • Rise — Sui Dynasty's founder Emperor Wen conquered the Chen Dynasty south of the Yangtze, ending the Southern and Northern Dynasties period.
  • Achievements — Sui Dynasty built the Grand Canal connecting the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers and established the Three Departments and Six Ministries system.
  • Conflicts — Sui Dynasty lost the Battle of Salsu against Goguryeo after four failed Korean campaigns weakened the empire under Emperor Yang.
  • Legacy — Sui Dynasty promulgated a 500-article legal code and the equal-field farming system before falling to the Tang in 618.

Runs with

Tang Dynasty
succeeded Sui in 618 CE open card →
Grand Canal
built by Sui linking Hangzhou to Beijing open card →
China
reunified by Sui after centuries of division open card →
Buddhism

The ladder · 15 clues

H

This dynasty established the standard form of the Three Departments and Six Ministries system, and it promulgated the equal-field system of farming.

H

This dynasty’s capital of Luoyang was connected to Chang’an by the Grand Canal that this dynasty created. name this dynasty that was supplanted by the Tang.

H

This dynasty lost the Battle of Salsu against the Korean kingdom of Goguryeo. :Identify this short-lived dynasty that oversaw the construction of the Grand Canal around the year 600.

H

Eulji Mundeok defeated this dynasty when it tried to attack Pyongyang.

H

The Tang Dynasty was the successor of this other dynasty, which was led by the tyrannical Emperor Yang. During this dynasty, the construction of the Grand Canal began.

H

Wikipedia notes that the founder of this dynasty only had two concubines. :Name this Chinese dynasty founded by Emperor Wen and probably best known for creating the Grand Canal.

H

Its first emperor built the new capital Daxing [“dah-shing”] on the site of Chang’an, and its second emperor rebuilt Luoyang.

M

A period known as "The Southern and Northern Dynasties" was ended after this dynasty's founder, Wen, conquered the Chen Dynasty south of the Yangtze.

M

The Tang Dynasty succeeded this short-lived imperial dynasty which reunited China in the late 6th century.

M

This dynasty’s ruler Yangdi invaded Vietnam, and is accused of killing the founder of this dynasty, Emperor Wen.

M

This dynasty invaded the Champa kingdom to begin the third domination of Vietnam.

M

The dynasty’s last emperor, Yang, was the son of its first, Yang Chien, who took the royal name of Wen Ti.

E

Succeeded what short-lived dynasty that managed to reunify China and built the Grand Canal?

E

This dynasty’s emperor Yangdi [yahn dee] continued its founder Wendi’s [wun dee’z] project to link the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers with the Grand Canal. name this dynasty that unified China after the Han dynasty before falling to the Tang dynasty.

E

The Battle of the Salsu River was a major defeat for this dynasty, which completed construction on a waterway connecting Hangzhou to Beijing. name this dynasty that fought a series of wars against the Goguryeo Dynasty of Korea, built the Grand Canal, and was succeeded by the Tang in 618 AD.

10 more clues from the record
H

The Wenxian [wun-shen] empress helped this dynasty’s founder choose his successor, who invaded one neighboring state after finding that it had sent an embassy to the Tujue [too-dreh] people, also known as the Celestial Turks.

H

During this dynasty, imperial architect Yuwen Kai [] built Daxing [] as an expansion of the Han capital of Xi'an [].

H

This dynasty was weakened after losing a series of wars against Korea’s Goguryeo during the reign of Wen and Yang.

H

Wei Zheng wrote the Book of [this dynasty], which included his own participation in Li Mi's Rebellion.

H

Despite only ruling for 37 years, this Chinese dynasty married off 6 different family members via heqin, primarily to build relations with Turkic and Tuyuhun peoples. It was succeeded by the Tang.

H

A military objective undertaken by this dynasty’s troops involved soldiers carrying their own meal rations, which failed utterly as many dropped the burden behind and eventually suffered from a lack of supplies.

H

This dynasty’s founder promulgated a 500-article legal code which limited harsh punishments like the cangue, and started the “Rule of Avoidance” to prevent officials from ruling their native provinces.

H

This dynasty threw ludicrous amounts of money at a series of four military campaigns, only to consistently end up on the receiving end up an ass kicking by Eulji Mundeok, the greatest Goguryeo general.

H

A book named for this dynasty records how for many generations prior to the conquest, the Turks “engaged in metal working for the Rouran”. This dynasty’s Emperor Wen supported the rise of Yami Qaghan.

H

Answer some questions about a Chinese dynasty :Name this dynasty which oversaw the rebuilding of Chang’an as a planned city with curfews and systematic wards. Among its leaders were Wen Di and Yang Di.

Watch out: Emperor Yang (second ruler) vs. Emperor Wen (founder); both from Yang family
#357 · Other Families and Dynasties · Level 1

Han

Han
Rhododendrites · CC BY-SA 4.0

Chinese dynasty and ethnic group · 202 BCE–220 CE · China

Han was China's second imperial dynasty, founded by Liu Bang, and the name of China's dominant ethnic group.

The kit

  • Rise — Han was founded by Liu Bang, who cemented power by defeating Western Chu at the Battle of Gaixia in 202 BCE.
  • Achievements — Han Emperor Wu sent expeditions westward seeking "blood-sweating" heavenly horses and first conquered Silk Road city-states in Xinjiang.
  • Conflicts — Han forces defeated the Xiongnu in conflicts lasting from 133 BCE to 89 CE, though General Li Ling defected during a disastrous attack.
  • Legacy — Han created four commanderies in Korea under Emperor Wu and was the first dynasty to incorporate the Five Classics in training officials.

Runs with

China
Han ruled China as its second imperial dynasty open card →
Xiongnu
Han defeated Xiongnu in wars from 133 BCE to 89 CE open card →
Sima Qian
Sima Qian wrote Records of the Great Historian during Han open card →
Yellow Turban Rebellion
Yellow Turban Rebellion fatally weakened Han dynasty open card →

The ladder · 15 clues

H

The rebels in the Revolt of the Three Feudatories largely belonged to this ethnic group, the dominant one in China. A dynasty of this name was succeeded by the Three Kingdoms period.

H

Bàn liǎng were replaced in 118 BCE by the Wu Zhu during this dynasty’s Western period. This dynasty shares its name with China’s largest ethnic group.

H

This dynasty launched an invasion under Gen. Ban Chao in which itcaptured the cities of Kucha and Kara Shahr.

H

Ruled millions of people with this ethnicity this shares its name with the second imperial dynasty of China.

H

This dynasty took increasing interest in the Western Regions, or Xiyu [shee-yoo], during its wars with the Xiongnu [shung-noo] people. :Name this Chinese dynasty whose emperor Wudi sent a military expedition to the west in search of “blood-sweating” heavenly horses.

H

The Xiongnu were ultimately defeated by the forces of this Chinese dynasty in a series of conflicts lasting from 133 BCE to 89 CE. Emperor Wu of this dynasty, born Liu Che, began the offensive campaigns against the Xiongnu.

H

This dynasty’s Emperor Wu had to wait for the death of Grand Empress Dowager Dou to launch his campaign against the Xiongnu . :Name this Chinese dynasty that came to power shortly after the fall of the Qin .

M

Another military campaign under this dynasty was a disastrous attack under General Li Ling, who defected to the Barbarian tribe he was attacking.

M

This dynasty was interrupted by a succession crisis caused by Emperor Ai's homosexuality.

M

That interruption was ended by Red Eyebrow rebels.

M

The use of this syllable and seong to refer to Seoul came for its meaning of “great” and not affiliation with China. what Korean syllable is homophonous with the Chinese dynasty that conquered Gojoseon in 108 BCE?

M

This was the name of the fief owned by a daimyo. They were at least large enough to produce enough rice to feed ten thousand and were replaced by prefectures during the Meiji restoration.

M

This syllable follows Sam to describe the three kingdoms unified by Silla.

E

The Yellow Turban rebellion fatally weakened, ---- this Chinese dynasty that succeeded the Qin and preceded the Era of the Three Kingdoms.

E

This dynasty, whose leaders practiced “Imperial Confucianism,” was founded a by Liu Bang. name this Chinese dynasty that succeeded the Qin.

10 more clues from the record
H

Stony Brook professor Sandra Kim traced a concept named for this syllable to a section of the Beauty of Everyday Things describing a nation’s utilitarian white pottery.

H

This syllable followed the syllables Jin, Byeon, and Min in the name of three confederations that began sourcing iron from the sands of the Nakdong River during the first century BCE.

H

During the Japanese colonial period, a place name starting with this syllable was replaced with Keijō and a concept named for this syllable came to represent intergenerational sorrow and resentment.

H

The Silk Road city states of the Xīnjiāng were first conquered by China under this dynasty, which shares its name with China’s largest ethnic group.

H

Name these Chinese dynasties from the years they ruled and their founders, .202 BCE to 220 CE, Liu Pang

H

The founder of this dynasty cemented his power by defeating the Western Chu power at the Battle of Gaixia .

H

This dynasty was the first to incorporated The Five Classics in training state officials.

H

Records of the Great Historian was written during this dynasty by Sima Qian .

H

This dynasty heavily fortified its first capital of Chang’an.

M

Four commanderies in Korea were created during the reign of Emperor Wu of this dynasty.

Watch out: Qin dynasty (immediately preceded Han; students confuse the order of early Chinese dynasties)
#1222 · Chinese Dynasties · Level 3

Jin Dynasty

Jin Dynasty
Ian Kiu · CC BY-SA 3.0

Chinese dynasty · 266–420 CE; 1115–1234 CE · northern China

Jin Dynasty refers to two separate Chinese dynasties: the Sima family's Jin (266–420 CE) and the Jurchen Jin (1115–1234).

The kit

  • Rise (Sima Jin) — Jin Dynasty was founded by Sima Yan, who forced Cao Huan to abdicate in 266 CE and reunified China by conquering Eastern Wu.
  • Conflicts (Sima Jin) — Jin Dynasty experienced the War of the Eight Princes and invasions during the Five Barbarians period, ending Western Jin and beginning Eastern Jin.
  • Rise (Jurchen Jin) — Jin Dynasty was founded by Wanyan of the Aguda clan and succeeded the Liao dynasty after driving Yelü Dashi westward in the early 1100s.
  • Achievements (Jurchen Jin) — Jin Dynasty captured Kaifeng in 1127 during the Humiliation of Jingkang, forcing the Song dynasty to relocate south and creating Southern Song.

Runs with

Song Dynasty
Jin captured Kaifeng in 1127, forcing Song south open card →
Bakumatsu Period
Genghis Khan
Mongols overran Jin in 1234 open card →
Three Kingdoms Period
Sima Yan's Jin ended period by conquering Wu open card →

The ladder · 6 clues

H

Dynasty, founded by Sima Yan, that ended the period by conquering Eastern Wu.

H

During its Eastern phase, this dynasty granted tax exemptions to resettled migrants from north China called qiáorén. :Name this dynasty ruled by the Sīmǎ family, whose earlier Western phase began with its reunification of China in 280 CE and ended following multiple civil wars named for Eight Princes and Five Barbarians.

H

The history of this dynasty contains the only extant sentence of the Jié [j’YEH] people’s language, provoking decades of debate on whether that language was Turkic, Indo-European, or even Yeniseian [yen-ih-SAY-in]. This dynasty drove the Liáo dynasty west and conquered Kāifēng [kye-fung] in 1127.

M

Sima Yan forced Cao Huan to abdicate, establishing this dynasty. A civil war that broke out during this dynasty was the War of the Eight Princes and it was overthrown by the Liu Song in 420.

M

This dynasty captured the city of Kaifeng in 1127, forcing the Song dynasty to move south, and was itself overrun by the Mongols in 1234 after the defeat of the Xi Xia. identify this dynasty founded by the Jurchens.

M

Its forces expelled the ruler Yelü Dashi to the west, where he founded the Kara-Khitan Khanate with surviving forces of the Liao dynasty.

5 more clues from the record
H

This dynasty, which divided nobility into meng-an and mouke for the purpose of administration, was the more northern party in the Alliance Conducted at Sea, by which it agreed to partition the Sixteen Prefectures with a southern rival.

H

The fire lance, an early weapon that relied on gunpowder, was used heavily during the Song Dynasty’s siege of De’an against this Jurchen dynasty. This dynasty later abducted the Song emperor during their sack of Kaifeng.

H

This dynasty succeeded the Liao dynasty and the Northern portion of the Song dynasty in 1215, beginning the Southern Song. It lasted from 1153 to 1234 and was also called the Jurchen.

H

The dynasty’s capture of one city was called the Humiliation of Jingkang.

H

This dynasty’s first ruler was Wanyan of the Aguda clan.

Watch out: Two distinct dynasties share the name Jin: the Sima family's (266–420 CE) and the Jurchen (1115–1234 CE)
#1223 · Chinese Dynasties · Level 3

Shang Dynasty

Shang Dynasty
Lamassu Design Gurdjieff /a ( talk /a ) · CC BY-SA 3.0

Ancient Chinese dynasty · c. 1600–1046 BCE · North-central China

Shang Dynasty was China's first historically-attested dynasty, centered at Anyang and known for oracle-bone divination.

The kit

  • Rise — Shang Dynasty established hegemony after Emperor Tang won the Battle of Mingtiao during the first Noble Revolution.
  • Achievements — Shang Dynasty developed a 360-day calendar of twelve 30-day months and used the moon character for month.
  • Capital & divination — Shang Dynasty was centered at Anyang, where oracle bones inscribed on turtle shells were used for divination.
  • Fall — Shang Dynasty ended when last king Di Xin committed suicide after the Battle of Muye against King Wu.

Runs with

Oracle Bones
oracle bones were used for divination throughout Shang Dynasty open card →
Rongorongo Scriptbronze
China
first historically-attested dynasty in China open card →

The ladder · 6 clues

H

This dynasty established hegemony after Emperor Tang won the Battle of Mingtiao [] during the first "Noble Revolution" in East Asian history.

H

A myth stated that this dynasty was founded after Jiandi swallowed a black bird’s egg and gave birth to Xie.

M

This dynasty’s last king, Di Xin, was forced to commit suicide after the disastrous Battle of Muye.

M

This dynasty was centered around its capital of Anyang, where excavations have uncovered oracle bones that were used for divination.

E

It may have overthrown the Xia Dynasty, and was definitely succeeded by the Zhou. name this first historically-attested Chinese dynasty.

E

During this dynasty, mystics began using turtle shells, or "oracle bones," for divination.

10 more clues from the record
H

A leader of this dynasty had a “Lake of Wine and Forest of Meat” and was married to a woman portrayed as a fox spirit, Daji.

H

Oracle bones were used during this Chinese dynasty, which succeeded the legendary Xia dynasty. Its last ruler was King Zhou.

H

Before its fall, one mad ruler of this dynasty created a pool of alcohol beneath a tree of roasted meat.

H

Answer the following about China’s early history. :Fu Hao was a consort of Wu Ding, the king who led this dynasty to its zenith. Fu Hao’s tomb is one of the best preserved tombs from this dynasty.

H

The earliest oracle bones date to the time of this dynasty. It may have co-existed for some time with its successor, the Zhou.

H

The remains of sixteen human sacrifices were found in the tomb of this dynasty’s general Fù Hǎo, located near present-day Ānyáng.

H

King Wu defeated this dynasty with Jiang Ziya’s help.

H

A royal consort from this polity, whose head was later hung from a white flag to indicate that she had led to its downfall, supposedly prompted her husband to create a torture method involving walking over a greased metal beam heated with coal.

H

During this dynasty, a 360 day calendar of 12 30-day months was developed, and the character for “moon” began to be used to denote “month.” The later period of this dynasty, from the reign of emperor Pangeng onward, has historically been called the Yin dynasty.

H

Its conquered land was ruled by Guanshu, Caishu (TSAI-shoo), and Huoshu (HWOH-shoo), three guards who instigated a namesake revolt against a duke shortly after this dynasty fell.

Watch out: King Zhou (last Shang ruler) vs. Zhou Dynasty (Shang's successor)