Duke of Tang; minister for Yangdi; took over empire after assassination of Yangdi; 1st Tang ruler.

One of the founders of the Tang Empire and its second emperor (r. 626-649). He led the expansion of the empire into Central Asia.

Another name for Li Shimin. He reconquered the northern and western land that China had since the decline of the Han Dynasty. He started the achievements of the Tang Dynasty.

(618-907 CE) The Chinese dynasty that was much like the Han, who used Confucianism. This dynasty had the equal-field system, a bureaucracy based on merit, and a Confucian education system.

Became Empress in 690. She assumed the title herself- the only woman in China to do so.

the last Tang emperor

The Chinese dynasty that placed much more emphasis on civil administration, industry, education, and arts other than the military.

A general term for a class of prosperous families, sometimes including but often ranked below the rural aristocrats.

property or money brought by a bride to her husband on their marriage

A multistoried Chinese tower, usually associated with a Buddhist temple, having a multiplicity of projecting eaves.

one of the most popular poets of the Tang era, famous for his commentary on Chinese social life

Mongol khanate founded by Genghis Khan's. It was based in southern Russia and quickly adopted both the Turkic language and Islam.

one of several separate territories into which Genghis Khan's empire was split, each under the rule of one of his sons

Treeless plains, especially the high, flat expanses of northern Eurasia, which usually have little rain and are covered with coarse grass. They are good lands for nomads and their herds. Good for breeding horses: essential to Mongol military.

A Mongolian general and emperor of the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries, known for his military leadership and great cruelty. He conquered vast portions of northern China and southwestern Asia.

Money paid by one country to another in return for protection

An ancient trade route between China and the Mediterranean Sea extending some 6,440 km (4,000 mi) and linking China with the Roman Empire. Marco Polo followed the route on his journey to Cathay.

Grandson of Genghis Khan and founder of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty in China.

Moroccan Muslim scholar, the most widely traveled individual of his time. He wrote a detailed account of his visits to Islamic lands from China to Spain and the western Sudan.

A machine used in medieval siege warfare for hurling large stones or other missiles

Venetian merchant and traveler. His accounts of his travels to China offered Europeans a firsthand view of Asian lands and stimulated interest in Asian trade.

Founded the Ming Dynasty after overthrowing the Mongol dynasty

Succeeded Mongol Yuan dynasty in China in 1368; lasted until 1644; initially mounted huge trade expeditions to southern Asia and elsewhere, but later concentrated efforts on internal development within China.

art of beautiful handwriting

(1371-1433?) Chinese naval explorer who sailed along most of the coast of Asia, Japan, and half way down the east coast of Africa before his death.

Breakup of large agricultural holdings for redistribution among peasants

To force or strongly persuade; coerce

China's greatest female poet

a famous Chinese poet who wrote "spring landscape" and his poems were base on the suffering of his own life

A thin, beautiful type of pottery