600-1450

The founder of Islam whose revelations created the Quran and his own words formed the Muslim law code, the hadith.

Reunified China after centuries of small principalities and paved the way for the Tang dynasty.

Took over after the Sui. Many new inventions came out of this dynasty, and Buddhism became a major influence.

First hereditary dynasty of Muslim caliphs. Ruled an extensive empire and was overthrown by the Abbasid.

One of the world's longest sustained dynasties and occupied most of the Korean Peninsula

Most of Japanese society during this period was agricultural and centered around villages. Most of the villagers were annimist. The capital at Nara was modeled after the capital city of Tang China.The Japanese upper classes patterned themselves after the Chinese, including adopting Chinese written characters, fashion, and the religion of Buddhism.

Descendants of the Prophet Muhammad's uncle, al-Abbas, the Abbasids other threw the Umayyad Caliphate and and ruled an Islamic empire from their capital in Baghdad. Theology and religious law became important, and there was a growing community of scholars.

The period of Japanese history when Buddhism, Taoism, and of Chinese influences were at its height. Real power was in the hands of the Fugiwara. This period is noted for its art-especially literature and poetry-and the rise of the samurai class.

Home to Angkor Wat, the world largest religious monument. It was the world's largest pre industrial city

Distinguished for its advances in technology, medicine, astronomy, and mathematics.

Contributed to the Turko-Persian tradition in the medieval West and Central Asia. The Seljuqs established both the Great Seljuq Empire and Sultanate of Rum, which at their total height stretched from Anatolia through Persia, and were targets of the First Crusade.

China is fully united for the first time in history as we recognize it today under the Mongols.

Muslim invaders centralized Indian empire of varying extent.

Most famous conqueror in history. Mongol expansion under Genghis Khan promoted the movement of people and ideas from one end of Eurasia to the other and revived trade on the Silk Road. Overwhelmed most of Iran. He forced submission of Tanggut rulers and capture Jin capital.

Transferred his court to Beijing and founded the Yuan Empire.

Created by Khubilai Khan, and was the first foreign dynasty to rule China.

Visited during the Yuan Dynasty, and amazed with the luxurious empire, he wrote a book about his travels. His book was not widely believed in Europe.

Muslim Moroccan explorer who recorded his extensive travels of over 75,000 miles and is considered one of the greatest travelers of all time.

Pilgrimage through Egypt to Mecca established the empire's reputation for wealth in the Mediterranean world.

Gained control over much of Central Asia and Iran through conquest, and consolidated the status of Sunni Islam as orthodox. His descendants, the Timurids maintained his empire and founded the Mughal Empire in India.

Reestablished many practices that are seen as purely Chinese. Early emperors sent voyagers for sea exploration. Confucianism was used in the government and dislike of "barbarians" grew.

His trips took treasures to other countries which stimulated trade between China and its southern neighbors. He also added tributary states to the Ming Empire.