Pursuant to the traditional Chinese historiography, it is the first dynasty in Chinese history. Legendary Yu establishes the Xia Dynasty by succeeding in stopping the floods of Yellow river and unite people from different tribes.

Archaeological existence of Xia is still doubtful. But due to the bronze and ceramic archaeological findings of Erlitou culture at the Yellow river banks and the excavation of the ancient city in Yanshi, it is considered that the mythical Xia dynasty is real.

The Shang is the earliest dynasty in traditional Chinese history, the existence of which is supported by archaeological evidence. Excavation at the Ruins of Yin, near modern-day Anyang, uncovered eleven major royal tombs and the foundations of palaces and ritual sites, containing weapons of war and remains from both animal and human sacrifices.

Tens of thousands of bronze, jade, stone, bone, and ceramic artefacts have been also found in these excavations. The archaeological findings correspond to the Erligang culture, whose productions of particular bronze and gold objects circulated beyond their cultural hinterland, also to the other ancient kingdoms of present-day China. Particularly well-known are the famous Oracle Bones, where divinations about seasons, political controversy, war, were written on ox scapula or turtle plastron.

Thus, the identification of the archaeological findings, which are characterized as Erlitou culture, with the ancient historical Shang dynasty, seems to be valid.

The Zhou dynasty is the longest in Chinese history. However their dominance lasted till 771 BC; hence the period from 1041 to 771 BC is called “Period of the Western Zhou”. It is believed that during this period the production of bronze objects is culminated and the writing evolves to a form similar to that of today’s Chinese writing.

During this period, bronze is replaced by iron in the manufacture of weapons, a state monopoly is created also for iron and salt, a strong currency is also created and civilization flourishes in general. The first rules of law were published, Fengjian, a decentralized system of administration and holding of titles of nobility, was developed, the state reached a high level of organization, by the construction of watering and hydraulic engineering projects.

Also ethics, morals and philosophy in general are developed. There have been many schools in ancient China. We indicatively mention Laozi, who founds Taoism, Mozi, who founds Mohism and Shang Yang and Han Fei who found Legalism. The years 551-478 BC Confucius appears in China, who preaches the return to the traditional customs, something that refers to Hesiod’s theory.

It is the first Imperial dynasty of China.
The Qin dynasty brought together all the provinces into a unified state and the first emperor and founder who rose to the throne was named Qin Shi Huang-Ti (the first emperor of the dynasty).

China probably took its name from this dynasty (Chin – China). He founded a new capital near Xianyang, today’s Xian. He increased the borders of the State and, in order to protect them, he constructed the Great Wall of China. The most important project, however, constructed during his reign, was his tomb with the Terracotta Army.

The Han Dynasty was founded by revolutionary leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu. After ascending to the throne, Chang set Chang’an as the new capital. Lasting for more than four centuries, the Han Dynasty period is considered as a golden age in China’s history.

Till this day, China’s sovereign ethnic group refers to itself as “Han people”. The monetary economy, established by Zhou, has flourished. The nationalization of salt mines and iron production has created economic growth.

Science and technology have made huge leaps forward, with the production of paper, the naval helm, the use of negative numbers in mathematics -1 -2 etc, the advances in astronomy, the invention of the first seismograph and much more!

An important event of this period is China’s contact with the Greek world and Greek culture via the Silk Road. Chinese products arrive up to the Mediterranean coasts and products made in Greece are imported to China. In addition to money or other valuable items however, the Chinese have taken during this ear many cultural elements from the Greeks. In 220 AD the Han Dynasty collapses

After the fall of the Han Dynasty, China is split into 3 states. Wei to the north, Shu, to the southwest, at today’s Sichuan, and Wu, at the south-east coast. The three states were each led by an emperor who claimed the succession of the Han Empire. Conflicts between them were unavoidable, and the division of the empire continues at a steady pace.

This period of the Chinese history is one of the bloodiest ones. Nevertheless, there has also been a period of progress in technology and science. The most famous among them is the South-pointing Chariots. Further, this short period, is also one of the most romantic of Chinese history, with many well-known and popular operas, as well as the well-known literary work of Ming Dynasty Luo Guanzhong “Romance of the Three Kingdoms”.

Buddhism is gaining ground against Confucianism and European missionaries begin to promote the spread of Christianity.

After Jin conquers the Wu, the Empire reunites.
The Jin Dynasty was founded by Sima Yan. The capital is at Luoyang or at Chang’an (modern Xi’an). Subsequently, the capital moved to Jiankang (modern Nanjing).

There are two time periods in the history of the dynasty. The “Western Jin” and the “Eastern Jin”. The dynasty is well known for the quality of its greenish celadon porcelain wares.

There was a period where civil wars and political chaos dominated; but also a period of progress in art, culture and technology and, as well, the further expansion of Mahayana Buddhism and Taoism.

We note that during these two centuries approximately, there have been 9 different dynasties, 5 in the North and 4 in the South. Despite this split of Chinese tribes and kingdoms, there is a great rise in the strength and importance of the Silk Road. The migration from tribes to the north and west of China has been an important part of the cultural development of Medieval China.

This dynasty was short-lived, but important to the restoration of the united China, which is ruled by the Han Chinese. The capital is at Chang’an (Xi’an) and subsequently at Luoyang.

The emperors made various reforms in the economy to reduce inequality, such as the reintroduction of a single standardized currency and the promotion of Buddhism throughout the empire.

It is noted that among the biggest achievements of Sui is the opening of the “Grand Canal”, linking the western capital of Chang’an with the easternmost at Luoyang, as well as that they extended the Great Wall of China.

This dynasty collapses after a series of costly military disasters in their expeditions to Korea against Goguryeo, in 614. The dynasty lasted for 37 years, but heavy taxation and compulsory/forced work led the nations to revolutions and insurgents.

The Tang dynasty, with Chang’an, modern Xi’an, as capital, and subsequently Luoyang, is generally considered as a golden age of the Chinese culture.

Based on its population, the dynasty was able to increase the professional soldiers and recruit hundreds of thousands of soldiers to support the defence against nomadic forces that dominated inner Asia.

They also wanted to protect lucrative trade routes along the Silk Road, however without diplomacy missing from their strategies. Yet, at the same time, they easily accepted foreign influences that arrived through trade transactions with its neighbours, mainly on arts, such as music. A flourishing of letters and arts is observed during these years.

The Song Dynasty is founded by Emperor Taizu. It is the first government in the world to issue paper money and the first dynasty to have a permanent navy. During this era we have the discovery of the gunpowder, while the use of the compass helps to locate the North.

The capital is transferred to Lin’an (modern Hangzhou). The Song Dynasty had one of the most powerful and dynamic economies of the Medieval world. It is also the first to use movable type printing.

It was one of the longest-existing Chinese dynasties and ruled China for 319 years. It was overthrown in March 1279, following the defeat of Emperor Bing in a battle against the Mongols. This period ends from the historical scene with the appearance of the Mongols (1280-1368).

To the north of China there is the Asian region of Mongolia, which bred a number of front-line military leaders. A renowned one is Genghis Khan, who lived during the 13th century and died in 1227.

The Yuan dynasty is the domination of the Mongols and is founded by Kublai Khan, the grandson of Genghis Khan. Kublai Khan claimed the title of China emperor, the Grand Khan.

He and his successors occupied the entire China. Kublai Khan became the founder of the Mongol dynasty (1280).
However, these historical changes did not hinder the evolution of the Chinese culture and during this era there is flourishing everywhere.

At this time the influence of European visitors increases as well as the touristic interest, which over time precedes the commercial one. We see the famous Marco Polo reaching to China and spending many years at the service of Kublai Khan.

Upon his return to the West, he made China known to Europe by his narrations and descriptions. When however the Mongol dynasty collapsed, anarchy prevailed. The commercial roads were closed, especially those which connected China with Europe.

The founder of this dynasty is a former Buddhist monk, Zhu Yuanzhang, who had fought the Mongols with greater fanaticism than any other Chinese leader. Ming were the ones who expelled Mongols from China and restored the unity of the State.

When he ascended the throne he got the name of Hongwu. Following his death, his fourth son, Emperor Yongle, created a powerful empire and made Beijing the capital of the state.

The Ming Dynasty is one of the most brilliant in China’s history, where order and law dominated. The Ming Dynasty was exercising an introversion policy and attempted to create an authoritarian society with a rigid and strictly fixed social class.

The Great Wall of China takes the form that it has this day. The import of money by foreign merchants brought back the liquidity to the hard-hit Chinese economy.

Manchus is an Asian race, something between Chinese and Mongols. They have more similarities with the latter. The Qing Dynasty or Manchus was established by the Jurchen Aisin Gioro clan of the Manchus nations, in the modern North-eastern China, also known as Manchuria.

It was the last imperial dynasty of China. During these years: China’s boundaries expanded to their largest extent, a number of European missionaries arrive to conquer China not only religiously but also financially.

Along with the missionary work, trade is developing, since Chinese products are in great demand in Europe, such as silk, cotton and tea. Thus, the two-way relationship between Chinese and European culture is greatly enhanced.

Qing dynasty was overthrown after the Xinhai Revolution, when the Empress Dowager Longyu resigned on behalf of the last emperor, Pu Yi, on 12th February, 1912.

The last emperor of the Qing Dynasty ascended to the throne at the age of two. Three years later, the revolution, which would change the face of China by putting an end to the mighty Qing dynasty that ruled the vast country since 1644, began preparing.