P - Political - Leaders, state structure, war, diplomacy, courts/laws
At the first part of this millennium, most of China was united under the Han dynasty. However, that ended in the 3rd century CE. After the collapse of the Han dynasty, there were centuries of internal fighting with the northern nomads.
E - Economic - Type of system, technology/industry, trade, money, types of businesses
In Japan and Korea, the rice-growing trade was becoming prominent. Iron had also taken a strong hold.
R - Religious - Holy books, beliefs, conversion, sin/salvation, deities
The foundations of Confucianism and religion in much of China for the centuries to come were laid in the early centuries of this period. In the later half, Buddhism started to arrive from Central and South Asia.
S - Society - Family, gender relations, social classes, inequalities, lifestyles
Confucian values like ancestor veneration and filial piety were instilled during the Han dynasty. Women had a prominent role in the household. Chinese culture was strongly affecting Korea and Japan. For example, since Buddhism first arrived in China, it began to spread into Korea and Japan. China also implemented a population limiting policy, which was very successful (as opposed to India's).
I - Intellectual, Innovations, and Inventions - Writing, literature, philosophy, math, science, education
Around this time, the water mill, ox-drawn plow, and horse collar were created. Writing became more prominent than before due to the introduction and rise of calligraphy in China.
A - Art and Architecture - Arts, music, dances, buildings
Calligraphy and paintings were prominent, and Buddhist imagery entered the scene.
N - Near Geographic - Location, physical, movement, human/environment, region
The Han dynasty has brought together China, and the Huns in the north are beginning to come together. However, the Han Dynasty's collapse in about 220 CE caused China's political structure to collapse, and it was no longer united. The following images show China's progression from 500 BCE to 500 CE.
"World History Timeline China History." TimeMaps Atlas of World History. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. <http://www.timemaps.com/history/china-30bc>.
Stearns, Peter, Michael Adas, Stuart Schwartz, and Marc J. Gilbert. World Civilizations: The Global Experience. 5th ed. N.p.: Pearson Longman, n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. <http://www.ablongman.com/stearnspreview/pdf/part_ii.pdf>.
"China, 1000 B.C.–1 A.D.". In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ht/?period=04®ion=eac (October 2000)
"China, 1–500 A.D.". In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ht/?period=05®ion=eac (October 2000)
Stearns, Peter, Michael Adas, Stuart Schwartz, and Marc J. Gilbert. World Civilizations: The Global Experience. 5th ed. N.p.: Pearson Longman, n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. <http://www.ablongman.com/stearnspreview/pdf/part_ii.pdf>.
"China, 1000 B.C.–1 A.D.". In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ht/?period=04®ion=eac (October 2000)
"China, 1–500 A.D.". In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ht/?period=05®ion=eac (October 2000)