Background Centuries prior to the advent of the Gupta empire, the Maurya empire had arisen in 3rd century BCE. This was a huge state, covering the majority of the Indian subcontinent. For several centuries after it had vanished no empire arose in India to take its place. Indeed, whilst the Maurya empire fragmented into several […]
Literature
Ancient China: Civilization
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Overview of the history and civilization of Ancient China
Ancient Mesopotamia: Civilization and Society
Ancient Mesopotamia saw the rise of the first civilization in world history. All later Western civilizations were built on the foundations laid down here
Ancient Egypt: Civilization and Society
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Ancient Egypt was one of the earliest, longest-lasting and most influential civilizations in world history
Ancient India: Civilization and Society
The history and civilization of Ancient India, including timeline and overview
Ancient Greek Civilization
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The civilization of Ancient Greece was one of the most brilliant in world history
Philosophy, Religion and Culture in Medieval China
Philosophy The Late Han period and after Confucianism Confucianism had been the official ideology of the Han dynasty, and it retained this status in all the Chinese states which succeeded the Han. It remained the focus of the officials’ educational curriculum and continued to shape the outlook of the elite. However, in the troubles which […]
India: the Medieval Era
Medieval India saw the high point of Hindu civilization in the Indian sub-continent, followed by a succession of Muslim conquests.