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| − | The Three Kingdoms were the regional governments which ruled [[China]] after the [[Han Empire]] fell. They reigned from circa 190 to 280. | + | The Three Kingdoms -- Wei, Shu, and Han -- were the regional governments which ruled [[China]] after the [[Han Empire]] fell. They reigned from circa 190 to 280. |
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| | + | The traditional term ''kingdom'' is misleading in one case. The state of Wei was founded as a [[Constitution|Constitutional]] democracy, by refugees from the competing kingdoms of Shu and Han. Like the earlier Greek democracies, Wei lacked the knowledge of [[Christ]], and therefore its government was doomed to quickly fail. Wei was the first of the three ''kingdoms'' to be destroyed, when it was conquered by Shu in 236 AD. |
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| | + | Many of the great works of Chinese literature are set during the period of the the Three Kingdoms. One of these, [[Romance of the Three Kingdoms]], is considered to be one of the four great novels in Chinese literary history. It is known and well-beloved by all literate Chinese. |
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| | + | The first dynasty to completely reunite China after this period was the [[Sui dynasty]]. |
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| | [[Category:History]] | | [[Category:History]] |