3rd millennium BC Age of the legendary sage-kings Yao, Shun, and Yu
legendary |
Xia Dynasty, founded by sage-king Yu |
c.1525–1025 |
Yin Dynasty, also known as Shang |
c.1025–256 |
Zhou Dynasty (founded by King Wu after King Wen had laid the cultural foundations. Wu was succeeded by his son Cheng, with Duke of Zhou acting as regent for part of reign) |
680 |
Duke Huan (who reigned over Qi from 685 to 643) becomes first head of alliance of northern Chinese states |
632 |
Duke Wen (who reigned over Jin from 636 to 628) is second head of the alliance |
403–221 |
Warring States era |
256 |
Qin destroys Zhou and ends Zhou Dynasty |
246 |
The future First Emperor becomes King of Qin as a child |
238 |
The future First Emperor attains adulthood and begins to exercise power |
230–221 |
The Six States all defeated by Qin (Hann 230, Zhao 228, Wei 225, Chu 223, Yan 222, and Qi 221) |
221 |
The state of Qin unifies China, and King Zheng becomes First Emperor |
213 |
The ‘burning of the books’ |
210 |
Death of the First Emperor. The Second Generation Emperor succeeds to the throne |
209 |
Rebellions against Qin break out |
206 |
Death of Second Generation |
202 |
Liu Bang (alias Governor of Pei and King of Han) accepts title of Emperor (although Han Dynasty later dated from 206 BC when he became King of Han) |
c.145 |
Birth of Sima Qian |
110 |
Sima Qian succeeds Sima Tan as Grand Historiographer |
c.86 |
Death of Sima Qian |