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| Castrated members of the Chinese royal court. They were often chosen for these positions because they couldn't have families and rebel. |
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| A scribe in the Han Dynasty that, upon disagreeing with the way that the Emperor Han Wudi had treated a defeated and captured soldier, so he was thrown in jail. Later, when given the option, he chose to be castrated rather than commit suicide, as he was expected to do. He continued to be the Grand Historian of the court until his death. |
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| Period of the Warring States |
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| A period of time when China was a series of separate, contending states. This period ended with the Qin Dynasty. |
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| Confucius (aka Kung Fuzi) |
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| A Chinese philosopher. He advocated the importance of ethics while avoiding religion. He also believed that 'superior individuals,' or 'junzi,' should be placed in charge in government positions. His ideas did not become popular until after his death, when they became part of the core of Chinese education. |
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| A collection of the teachings of Confucius, which was most likely written by his followers. |
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| A term that Confucius used to describe 'superior individuals' that would be ideal to rule in government positions. |
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| A set of beliefs pioneered by Confucius, also known as Kung Fuzi or Kong Fuzi. Their beliefs emphasize morality and ethics with the goal being the betterment of society as a whole. |
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| One of the three Confucian values: means kindness or benevolence |
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| One of the three Confucian values: means propriety |
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| One of the three Confucian values: means filial piety (respect for one's ancestors) |
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| A principal Confucian scholar who optimistically believed that the value of ren was the most important of the three. He was not very influential until after his death. |
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| A government administrator who was also a Confucian scholar. Unlike Mencius, he believed that li was the most important of the tree values. |
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| A very passive religion that contrasted Confucianism in the sense that they saw no worth in actively trying to mold the future. Founded by Laozi in 6th century BCE. |
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| The book of Daoist teachings. Translates to "Classic of the Way and of Virtue" |
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| Another piece of Daoist literature. Named for the author. |
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| "The Way" of nature, or the cosmos. Focused on water (soft and yielding, but capable of wearing away rock) and the empty spaces that hold nothing, but are nonetheless essential. |
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| The belief that attempting to control the universe results in chaos, and that disengagement from those who try was essential to their spirituality. The Daoists did not believe in education or ambitions, and preferred to live in harmony with nature and learn from that. |
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| A very strict set of doctrines dedicated to the development of the state. Very ruthless and unforgiving, with strict punishments for seemingly small offenses. |
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| The author of "The Book of Lord Shang." Emphasized the importance of strict laws in a society. |
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| Legalist philosopher. He taught that, for ultimate control, a leader must master his position of power (Shi), certain techniques (shu), and laws (fa). He was forced to kill himself by political enemies. |
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| The Dynasty founded by Qin Shihuangdi as a follow-up of the unification of China. Lasted only 10-ish years, but, set a dramatic precedent. Centralized bureaucracy, public works (beginning of the Great Wall) |
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| First emperor of the Qin Dynasty. Ruthless, yet effective, ruler. Executed all critics, burned books, buried scholars alive, exiled many. Lost lots of culture. |
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| Capital during the Qin Dynasty. Designed by Shang Yang. |
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| A wall begun in the Qin Dynasty to keep nomads and other invaders out. Eventually, several smaller walls were connected to create the huge wall we now know. |
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| Instigated the Han Dynasty after the Qin Dynasty disintegrated. |
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| Han Dynasty (Former+Latter) |
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| The Dynasty immediately following the Qin. Started by Liu Bang. Ran from 206 BCE t0 220 CE, with a brief interruption from 9 to 23 CE. |
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| The "Martial Emperor." Increased taxes for public works, established an imperial university and adopted Confucianism as the official course of study. |
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| A line of rulers that all descend from the same family. |
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| A group of brutal nomads from central Asia who traveled on horseback. |
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| The king that established the nomadic tribe of Xiongnu |
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| A Confucian text that taught submission and respect to elder males. |
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| Taught women to submit to their husbands, parents-in-law, and men in general. Also taught that education should be available to all children. |
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| The author of "Lessons for Women." |
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| Wang Mang "Socialist Emperor" |
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| Interrupted the Han Dynasty. Tried to redistribute land, but, he handled it poorly. Caused social chaos, is assasinated in 23 CE |
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| A rebellion instigated by poor farmers who were tired of the abuse they endured at the hands of rich landowners. |
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