Han Dynasty

The Han Dynasty came to power in 202 BC. They followed the philosophies of Confucianism and Legalism. This was called the Han Synthesis. Under this dynasty, China made much progress in arts and science. The empire also became larger and larger. China started trading with a number of other countries. Merchants used the Silk Road to reach China. During this dynasty Buddhism was introduced in China. The Han dynasty was a very important period in Ancient China and many consider it to be the golden age of China.They started the Silk Road.

Literature

Fairbank, John King and Merle Goldman (1992). China: A New History; Second Enlarged Edition (2006). Cambridge: MA; London: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press. ISBN 0-674-01828-1

Other websites

• Han Dynasty by Minnesota State University
• Han Dynasty art with video commentary, Minneapolis Institute of Arts