The Han dynasty (Chinese: 漢朝; pinyin: Hàn cháo) was the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Qin dynasty (221–207 BC) and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms period (220–280 AD). Spanning over four centuries, the Han period is considered a golden age in Chinese history. To this day, China's majority ethnic group refers to itself as the "Han people" and the Chinese script is referred to as "Han characters". It was founded by the rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu of Han, and briefly interrupted by the Xin dynasty (9–23 AD) of the former regent Wang Mang. This interregnum separates the Han dynasty into two periods: the Western Han or Former Han (206 BC – 9 AD) and the Eastern Han or Later Han (25–220 AD). COUNT 5
QSN1 What period followed the Han dynasty? ANS1 Three Kingdoms QSN2 What dynasty came before the Han dynasty? ANS2 Qin QSN3 Who founded the Han dynasty? ANS3 Liu Bang QSN4 When did the Former Han period begin? ANS4 206 BC QSN5 When did the Later Han period end? ANS5 220 AD