Qin and Han Dynasties:

In China the Kingdom of Qin brought the Period of the Warring States to an end with its victory and Qinshihuang became the first emperor, ruling from 221-210 B.C.E.*  After his death the empire rebelled. In 202 B.C.E. the peasant leader Liu Bang won in the power struggle and established the Han Dynasty, which lasted until 220 C.E.  During that period:

• In the Mediterranean:
  • Hannibal crossed the Alps (218 B.C.E.)
  • Cato the Elder became consul (195 B.C.E.)
  • Rome becomes an empire, reaches its largest geographical boundaries under Emperor Trajan (98-116 C.E.)
  • Slaves and gladiators revolt against Rome, led by Spartacus, about  (71 B.C.E.)
    
• In the Middle East:
  • Judas Maccabaeus leads revolt and rededicates the Temple in Jerusalem (165 B.C.E.)
    
• In the Indus Valley:
  • Emperor Ashoka (263-231 B.C.E.) converts to Buddhaism and has columns set up to commemorate events of the Buddha's life
  • Kanishka, ruler of Kushan in northwest India, (120-162 C.E.) converts to Buddhism
  • Maurya Period (322-185B.C.E.), Shunga Period (185-72 B.C.E.) and Andhra Period (70-320 C.E.) and Kushan Period (to 320 C.E.)
  • Great Stupa at Sanchi erected (about 100 B.C.E.)
    
• In Europe:
  • Romans invade Britain (43 C.E.)
  • Gothic kingdom set up on Lower Vistula (50 C.E.)
  • Romans are defeated in Scotland and retire to Hadrian"s Wall (180 C.E.)

*B.C.E. stands for "Before the Common Era", with the "Common Era" beginning in the year "1" as our current calendars go from "1" to 1999 C.E.

There is a more detailed chronology of China at the "Exploring Ancient World Cultures" site maintained by Anthony F. Beavers at the University of Evansville.

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