Ancient China
From the time of the Zhou Dynasty (1046–770 BCE) until the Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), a varying number of vassal states existed in Ancient China. These ranged in size from small city states to vassals which controlled large swathes of territory such as the States of Chu and Qi. One of these vassal states would go on to conquer China and unite the country under the first emperor Qin Shi Huang.
Read more about this topic: Vassal State
Famous quotes containing the words ancient and/or china:
“In ancient times—’twas no great loss—
They hung the thief upon the cross:
But now, alas!—I say’t with grief—
They hang the cross upon the thief.”
—Anonymous. “On a Nomination to the Legion of Honour,” from Aubrey Stewart’s English Epigrams and Epitaphs (1897)
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—Barbara Tuchman (1912–1989)