In theMediterranean Basin, the first few decades of this century were characterized by a balance of power between theGreekHellenistic kingdoms in the east, and the great mercantile power ofCarthage in the west. This balance was shattered when conflict arose betweenancient Carthage and theRoman Republic. In the following decades, theCarthaginian Republic was first humbled and then destroyed by the Romans in theFirst and SecondPunic Wars. Following theSecond Punic War, Rome became the most important power in the western Mediterranean.
TheWarring States period inChina drew to a close, withQin Shi Huang conquering the six other nation-states and establishing the short-livedQin dynasty, the first empire of China, which was followed in the same century by the long-lastingHan dynasty. However, a brief interregnum and civil war existed between the Qin and Han periods known as theChu-Han contention, lasting until 202 BC with the ultimate victory ofLiu Bang overXiang Yu.
TheProtohistoric Period began inKorea. In the following century the Chinese Han dynasty would conquer theGojoseon kingdom of northern Korea. TheXiongnu were at the height of their power inMongolia. They defeated the Han Chinese at theBattle of Baideng in 200 BC, marking the beginning of the forcedHeqin tributary agreement and marriage alliance that would last several decades.
Map of the world in 300 BC, the beginning of the third century BC.Map of the Hellenistic world and Maurya Empire in 281 BC.Map of the world in 200 BC, the end of the third century BC.
210 BC:Qin Shi Huang dies while on a trip to the far eastern reaches of his empire in an attempt to procure anelixir of immortality fromTaoist magicians.
206 BC:Qin dynasty falls after men from all over China revolts, attacking officials, raising armies, and declaring themselves kings of seized territories.
202 BC: Romans defeat Carthage, ending theSecond Punic War. Carthage's territories are reduced to some of its North African holdings, and crippling reparations are demanded by Rome.
202 BC: In East Asia, the Chu-Han contention comes to a close,Xiang Yu commits suicide, and theHan dynasty of China is founded (202 BC–220 AD) byLiu Bang.
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