Ancient World
Death of Qin Shi Huang (210 BC) and the Shaqiu Succession Plot
Huhai became the Second Emperor after a forged edict drove Fusu to suicide; the Qin dynasty collapsed within four years.
Region
Asia
Ancient World
Dazexiang Uprising (209 BC): Chen Sheng and Wu Guang Revolt
The revolt was crushed within about six months, but it set off the wave of rebellions that destroyed the Qin dynasty by 207-206 BC.
Ancient World
Hongmen Banquet (206 BC): Liu Bang's Escape from Xiang Yu
Xiang Yu let Liu Bang leave alive; Liu Bang later defeated him and founded the Han dynasty.
Ancient World
Founding of the Han Dynasty (206 BC): Liu Bang's Rise to Power
Liu Bang defeated Xiang Yu in the Chu-Han Contention and proclaimed himself emperor in 202 BC, founding the Han dynasty.
Ancient World
Battle of Gaixia (202 BC): The Fall of Xiang Yu and Rise of Han
Decisive Han victory; Xiang Yu took his own life, ending the Chu-Han contention and leaving Liu Bang sole ruler of China as the first Han emperor.
Ancient World
Bhagavad Gita: The Ancient Hindu Scripture and Its Origins
The Gita became one of the most widely read and commented Hindu scriptures and an influential text of world philosophy.
Ancient World
Ajanta Caves: Buddhist Rock-Cut Monasteries and Murals of India
About 30 Buddhist cave monasteries and halls were cut and painted, preserving the finest surviving body of ancient Indian painting.
Ancient World
Battle of Baideng (200 BC): Han Emperor Gaozu Besieged by Modu
Gaozu escaped after seven days, but Han abandoned offensive war against the Xiongnu and adopted the heqin policy of marriage alliances and annual gifts.
Ancient World
Battle of Magnesia (190 BC): Rome Defeats Antiochus III
Decisive Roman and Pergamene victory; the Seleucids lost Asia Minor west of the Taurus under the Treaty of Apamea (188 BC).
Ancient World
Mawangdui Han Tombs: Lady Dai and Her Treasures in Changsha
The excavations revealed one of the best-preserved ancient bodies ever found and a large body of Western Han art, textiles and texts, now mostly in the Hunan Museum.
Ancient World
Pergamon Altar (c. 170 BC): Masterpiece of the Attalid Kingdom
The altar became the masterpiece of Hellenistic sculpture; Pergamon passed to Rome in 133 BC and the frieze was moved to Berlin in the 1870s–1880s.
Ancient World
Menander I and the Indo-Greek Kingdom in Ancient India
Menander became the most powerful Indo-Greek king and was remembered in Buddhist literature as King Milinda.