Loess

Yellow silt deposited after the Huang He (Yellow) River floods.

Dynasty

A succession of rulers from the same family.

Mandate of Heaven

Belief that the gods have chosen a person or family to rule.

Dynastic Cycle

The historical pattern of the rise, decline, and replacement of dynasties.

Silk Road

A system of ancient caravan routes across Central Asia, along which traders carried silk and other trade goods.

Legalism

A philosophy that believes that strict rules and punishments are the key to social order.

Doaism

A philosophy that says people should be guided by a universal force called the Dao (“Go with the Flow”).

Confucianism

The philosophy taught by the scholar Confucius who believed social order, harmony and good government could be restored around five basic relationships.

Civil Service Exam

Test given for government jobs.

Filial Piety

Respect for elders (parents and ancestors).