Li Yuan
Duke of Tang; minister for Yangdi; took over empire after assassination of Yangdi; 1st Tang ruler.
Li Shimin
One of the founders of the Tang Empire and its second emperor (r. 626-649). He led the expansion of the empire into Central Asia.
Tang Taizong
Another name for Li Shimin. He reconquered the northern and western land that China had since the decline of the Han Dynasty. He started the achieveme...
Tang Dynasty
(618-907 CE) The Chinese dynasty that was much like the Han, who used Confucianism. This dynasty had the equal-field system, a bureaucracy based on me...
Wu Zhao
Became Empress in 690. She assumed the title herself- the only woman in China to do so.
Emperor Ai
the last Tang emperor
Song Dynasty
The Chinese dynasty that placed much more emphasis on civil administration, industry, education, and arts other than the military.
gentry
A general term for a class of prosperous families, sometimes including but often ranked below the rural aristocrats.
dowry
property or money brought by a bride to her husband on their marriage
pagoda
A multistoried Chinese tower, usually associated with a Buddhist temple, having a multiplicity of projecting eaves.
Li Bai
one of the most popular poets of the Tang era, famous for his commentary on Chinese social life
The Golden Horde
Mongol khanate founded by Genghis Khan's. It was based in southern Russia and quickly adopted both the Turkic language and Islam.
khanate
one of several separate territories into which Genghis Khan's empire was split, each under the rule of one of his sons
steppes
Treeless plains, especially the high, flat expanses of northern Eurasia, which usually have little rain and are covered with coarse grass. They are go...
Genghis Khan
A Mongolian general and emperor of the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries, known for his military leadership and great cruelty. He conquered...
tribute
Money paid by one country to another in return for protection
