Born as Ying Zheng in 259 BC in Handan, Zhao. Became King Zheng of Qin after Lü Buwei's death in 235 BC. Unified China by conquering all warring states by 221 BC
High Middle Ages began with Byzantine decline and Norman rise. Great Schism split Western and Eastern churches in 1054. Holy Roman Emperors reached peak under Salians in Germany. Norman conquest of England in 1066 marked end of Viking age. France saw decline of monarchy, rise of Aquitaine and Normandy magnates
Born Kong Qiu in 551 BCE in Zou, Lu, to a local garrison commandant. Raised by mother Yan Zhengzai in poverty, married Lady Qiguan at 19. Worked in government, bookkeeping, and sheep/horse caretaking. Became Minister of Crime in 501 BCE, later exiled in 497 BCE. Returned home at 68, taught 3000 pupils and wrote Five Classics
Western Roman Empire collapsed in 476 AD under weak emperors. Visigoths attacked Rome in 410, followed by Vandals' occupation of Carthage. Western Empire's eastern frontier collapsed in 406. Anglo-Saxons settled in Britain after 440
Emperor was the supreme title for Chinese monarchs ruling imperial dynasties. Qin Shi Huang became first emperor in 221 BC, adopting title "Shi Huangdi". Emperor was considered "Son of Heaven" with divine mandate to rule
Geologic time spans 4.6 billion to 3 million years ago. Prehistoric periods include Hadean through Anthropocene. Three-age system used in archaeology and anthropology. Mesolithic corresponds to beginning of Holocene epoch