dynasty — dynastic /duy nas tik/; Brit. also /di nas tik/, dynastical, adj. dynastically, adv. /duy neuh stee/; Brit. also /din euh stee/, n., pl. dynasties. 1. a sequence of rulers from the same family, stock, or group: the Ming dynasty … Universalium
Jin dynasty — or Chin dynasty First of two major Chinese dynasties to bear the name Jin. The dynasty had two distinct phases: the Western Jin (AD 265–317) and the Eastern Jin (AD 317–420). The latter is considered one of the Six Dynasties that ruled China… … Universalium
Song dynasty — or Sung dynasty (960–1279) Chinese dynasty that united the entire country until 1127 and the southern portion until 1279, during which time northern China was controlled by the Juchen tribes. During the Song, commerce flourished, paper currency… … Universalium
Liao dynasty — (907–1125) Dynasty formed by the nomadic Khitan tribes in much of present day Manchuria, Mongolia, and the northeastern corner of China proper. The Chinese portion of the empire was governed on the Tang pattern, while the northern part was set up … Universalium
Ming dynasty — (1368–1644) Chinese dynasty that provided an interval of native rule between eras of Mongol and Manchu dominance. The Ming, one of the most stable but autocratic of dynasties, extended Chinese influence farther than did any other native rulers of … Universalium
Nurhachi — born 1559, Manchuria died Sept. 30, 1626 Chieftain of one branch of the Juchen (later called Manchu), whose attack on China in 1618 presaged his son Dorgon s conquest. Nurhachi first defeated a rival in his own tribe and then subdued the other… … Universalium
Taizu — or T ai tsu born 927, Luoyang, China died Nov. 14, 976, Kaifeng First emperor of the Song dynasty, who began the unification of China, which his brother would complete. Initially a general for the founder of the Later Zhou dynasty (951–960), he… … Universalium
Manchu-Tungus languages — or Tungusic languages Family of about 10 Altaic languages spoken by fewer than 55,000 people in Siberia, Mongolia, and northern China. All the languages have been losing ground for centuries as their speakers switch to the languages of… … Universalium
Central Asia, history of — Introduction history of the area from prehistoric and ancient times to the present. In its historical application the term Central Asia designates an area that is considerably larger than the heartland of the Asian continent. Were it… … Universalium
Ögödei — born 1185, Mongolia died 1241, Karakorum Son of Genghis Khan who succeeded his father in 1229 and greatly expanded the Mongol empire. He established his headquarters in central Mongolia and built the capital city of Karakorum. Like his father, he … Universalium
