History of the dynasties of ancient ChinaAncient China The civilization of ancient China dates back thousands of years. During this long period, much of China was ruled by different dynasties. What is a dynasty? A dynasty is when a family rules a country or region for a long period of time. Generally, the head of the family will be the ruler of the country, like an emperor or a king. When that ruler dies, another family member will take power, usually the eldest son. When a new family takes control, a new dynasty begins. Say no to plagiarism. Get Custom Essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayThe First Emperor of China Qin Shi Huangdi by Unknown Mandate of Heaven Mandate of Heaven is what the Chinese people believed to give to their rulers the right to be king or emperor. This meant that the gods had granted this person the right to rule. A ruler had to be a good and just ruler to uphold the Mandate of Heaven. When a ruler or dynasty lost power, it meant that it must also lose the mandate of Heaven. Main dynasties Here are the main dynasties in ancient Chinese history: Xia (2205 to 1575 BC) - The first dynasty of China, very little is known about the Xia. Shang (1570 to 1045 BC) – The Shang ruled much of the region along the Yellow River. Their last capital was the great city of Yin. Zhou (1045 to 256 BC) – The longest ruling dynasty in Chinese history, the Zhou initially used the Mandate of Heaven to justify their rule. Much of the land was ruled by feudal lords who were relatives of the Zhou family. Qin (221 BC to 206 BC) – Beginning of the Chinese Empire, Shi Huangdi became the first Chinese emperor. Although it was a short dynasty, much was accomplished, including the beginning of the Great Wall; standards were set for weights, measures and money; many roads and canals were built; and only one type of writing was used throughout the country. All these advancements would be used in future dynasties to make China strong. Han (206 BC to 220 AD) – The Han dynasty established the civil service to create a strong and organized government. Paper and porcelain were also invented around this time. The Han also embraced Confucianism, poetry and literature. Six Dynasties (222 to 581 AD) – A period when China was not united under a single ruler. Sui (589 to 618 AD) – The Sui once again united China under one rule. They also expanded the Great Wall and built the Grand Canal. Tang (618 - 907) - A period of peace and prosperity, the Tang reign is sometimes known as the golden age of ancient China. Arts, literature, and technology are all thriving.Keep in mind: this is just a sample.Get a custom paper from our expert writers now.Get a custom essayChang'an Capital Becomes Largest city ​​of the world. Five Dynasties (907 - 960) - A peasant rebellion destroys the Tang dynasty and ushers in a period of division. Song (960 - 1279) - Reunified under the Song, China became a world leader in science and technology, notably in inventions such as gunpowder and the compass. Yuan (1279 - 1368) - After the Mongols defeated the Song in a long war, Kublai Khan, a Mongol ruler, founded the Yuan dynasty. Ming (1368 - 1644) - Last of the great Chinese dynasties, the Ming completed the Great Wall and built..