History Shorts: Han Dynasty (206 B.C.)

China’s greatest empire was founded by a peasant. The Han Dynasty existed for four centuries and represents one of China’s greatest periods. The centralized empire is split into two periods. The Western Han lasted until 9 A.D. At this point, the Xin Dynasty established control for 16 years before the Han reasserted itself. The Eastern Han (25-220) represents the second period. The Han Dynasty is notable for its economic prosperity, technological advances, and military expansion. The Dynasty collapsed as a result of nomadic invasions, corruption, high taxation, weakened central authority, and internal power struggles.


Here are a couple of foreign language films based on the Han:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwssZUoT7ag

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JImISmB5Hmg