Home Region:  Mongolia (Central and Northern Eurasia)

Late Xiongnu

60 BCE 100 CE
D G SC WF RG EQ 2020  mn_hunnu_late / MnXngnL
Preceding Entity: Add one more here.
209 BCE 60 BCE Xiongnu Imperial Confederation (mn_hunnu_emp)    [continuity]

Succeeding Entity:
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Displayed: 50 BCE

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  General Description   The Orkhon Valley lies either side of the Orkhon River, in north-central Mongolia. Between about 200 BCE and 100 CE, it was under the control of the Xiongnu Imperial Confederation.
This polity comprised several nomadic peoples from the Mongolian Steppe. By the 4th century BCE, the Xiongnu began raiding northern China, [1] where their mounted archery overwhelmed the heavily armed but relatively immobile Chinese infantry. [2] The nomads were held at bay by a combination of tribute in the form of metals, finished products, and agricultural products, and China’s numerical superiority. [3] [4] [5] Several Chinese victories against the Xiongnu in the 1st century BCE and factional conflict within the confederacy led to the confederacy’s breakup, and a new group of semi-nomadic peoples from the Northeast, the Xianbei, took control of the region. [1]
At their height, the Xiongnu ruled over an area that included all of Mongolia, extending to the Ordos region in the south, and the boreal forests of Siberia in the north, for a total of about 4,000,000 squared kilometres. [6]
Precise estimates could not be found for the empire’s population, but estimates suggest that nomads living to the north of China did not number more than 1,500,000, [7] and the best studied (but not the largest) settlement, Ivolga, likely had a population of between 2,500 and 3,000. [8] The empire was divided into three kingships: a central one, directly ruled by the paramount leader, and a "left" one and a "right" one, to the east and west, respectively, distributed among twenty-four regional leaders known as the "ten thousand horsemen". [9]

[1]: (Rogers 2012, 222)

[2]: (Marsh 2012, 500-501) Kevin Marsh. Xiongnu. Xiaobing Li ed. 2012. China at War: An Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. Santa Barbara.

[3]: (Barfield 1993, 157)

[4]: (Ying-Shih 1986)

[5]: (Dupuy and Dupuy 2007, 133)

[6]: (Rogers 2012, 220-221)

[7]: (Kradin 2011, 77)

[8]: (Kradin 2011, 85)

[9]: (Rogers 2012, 220)

General Variables
Identity and Location
Temporal Bounds
Political and Cultural Relations
Language
Religion
Social Complexity Variables
Social Scale
Hierarchical Complexity
Professions
Bureaucracy Characteristics
Law
Specialized Buildings: polity owned
Transport Infrastructure
Special-purpose Sites
Information / Writing System
Information / Kinds of Written Documents
Information / Money
Information / Postal System
Information / Measurement System
Warfare Variables (Military Technologies)
Fortifications
Military use of Metals
Projectiles
Handheld weapons
Animals used in warfare
Armor
Naval technology
Economy Variables (Luxury Goods) Coding in Progress.
Religion Variables Coding in Progress.
Crisis Consequences Coding in Progress.
Power Transitions Coding in Progress.

NGA Settlements:

Year Range Late Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_late) was in:
 (59 BCE 99 CE)   Orkhon Valley
Home NGA: Orkhon Valley
General Variables
Identity and Location Late Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_late)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Original Name Late Xiongnu Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Alternative Name Late Hsiung-nu Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Alternative Name Northern Xiongnu Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Temporal Bounds Late Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_late)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Duration [60 BCE ➜ 100 CE] Confident
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Political and Cultural Relations Late Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_late)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Suprapolity Relations cn_eastern_han_dyn alliance with mn_hunnu_late Confident 25 CE  220 CE
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Suprapolity Relations cn_western_han_dyn alliance with mn_hunnu_late Confident 202 BCE  9 CE
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Succeeding Entity Xianbei Confederation Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Relationship to Preceding Entity continuity Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Preceding Entity
209 BCE 60 BCE
Xiongnu Imperial Confederation (mn_hunnu_emp)   [continuity]  Confident
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Degree of Centralization confederated state Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Language Late Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_late)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Linguistic Family Turkic Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Language Xiongnu Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Religion Late Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_late)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Religion Genus Xiongnu Religions Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Alternate Religion Uncoded Undecided 60 BCE  100 CE
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Social Complexity Variables
Social Scale Late Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_late)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Population of the Largest Settlement [3,000 to 5,000] people Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Polity Territory [3,000,000 to 4,200,000] km2 Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Polity Population [1,000,000 to 1,500,000] people Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Hierarchical Complexity Late Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_late)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Settlement Hierarchy [2 to 3] Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Religious Level 1 Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Military Level 6 Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Administrative Level [3 to 4] Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Professions Late Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_late)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Professional Soldier Absent Inferred 60 BCE  100 CE
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Professional Priesthood Absent Inferred 60 BCE  100 CE
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Professional Military Officer Absent Inferred 60 BCE  100 CE
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Bureaucracy Characteristics Late Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_late)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Specialized Government Building Unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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Merit Promotion Absent Inferred 60 BCE  100 CE
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Full Time Bureaucrat Unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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Examination System Unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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Law Late Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_late)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Professional Lawyer Absent Inferred 60 BCE  100 CE
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Judge Unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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Present Inferred 60 BCE  100 CE
Court Absent Inferred 60 BCE  100 CE
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Specialized Buildings: polity owned Late Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_late)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Market Absent Inferred 60 BCE  100 CE
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Irrigation System Absent Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Food Storage Site Present Inferred 60 BCE  100 CE
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Drinking Water Supply System Unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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Transport Infrastructure Late Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_late)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Road Unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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Port Absent Inferred 60 BCE  100 CE
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Canal Unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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Bridge Unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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Special-purpose Sites Late Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_late)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Information / Writing System Late Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_late)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Written Record Absent Inferred 60 BCE  100 CE
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Script Absent Inferred 60 BCE  100 CE
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Phonetic Alphabetic Writing Absent Inferred 60 BCE  100 CE
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Nonwritten Record Present Inferred 60 BCE  100 CE
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Non Phonetic Writing Absent Inferred 60 BCE  100 CE
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Mnemonic Device Unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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Information / Kinds of Written Documents Late Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_late)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Scientific Literature Unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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Sacred Text Unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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Religious Literature Unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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Practical Literature Unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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Philosophy Unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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Lists Tables and Classification Unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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History Unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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Fiction Unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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Calendar Unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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Information / Money Late Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_late)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Token Absent Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Precious Metal Absent Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Paper Currency Absent Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Indigenous Coin Absent Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Foreign Coin Absent Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Article Present Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Information / Postal System Late Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_late)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Postal Station Unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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General Postal Service Unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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Courier Unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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Information / Measurement System Late Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_late)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Warfare Variables (Military Technologies)
Fortifications Late Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_late)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Wooden Palisade Unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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Stone Walls Non Mortared Unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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Stone Walls Mortared Unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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Settlements in a Defensive Position Unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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Modern Fortification Absent Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Moat Unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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Fortified Camp Present Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Earth Rampart Unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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Ditch Present Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Complex Fortification Present Inferred 60 BCE  100 CE
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Long Wall unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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Military use of Metals Late Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_late)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Steel Absent Inferred 60 BCE  100 CE
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Iron Present Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Copper Present Inferred 60 BCE  100 CE
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Bronze Present Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Projectiles Late Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_late)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Tension Siege Engine Unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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Sling Siege Engine Absent Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Sling Unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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Self Bow Unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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Javelin Unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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Handheld Firearm Absent Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Gunpowder Siege Artillery Absent Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Crossbow Present Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Composite Bow Present Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Atlatl Absent Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Handheld weapons Late Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_late)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
War Club Present Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Sword Present Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Spear Present Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Polearm Present Inferred Disputed 60 BCE  100 CE
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Polearm Absent Confident Disputed 60 BCE  100 CE
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Dagger Present Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Battle Axe Present Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Animals used in warfare Late Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_late)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Horse Present Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Elephant Absent Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Donkey Present Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Dog Unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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Camel Present Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Armor Late Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_late)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Wood Bark Etc Present Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Shield Present Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Scaled Armor Present Inferred 60 BCE  100 CE
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Plate Armor Present Inferred 60 BCE  100 CE
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Limb Protection Unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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Leather Cloth Present Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Laminar Armor Unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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Helmet Present Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Chainmail Present Inferred 60 BCE  100 CE
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Breastplate Unknown Suspected 60 BCE  100 CE
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Naval technology Late Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_late)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Specialized Military Vessel Absent Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Small Vessels Canoes Etc Absent Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Merchant Ships Pressed Into Service Absent Confident 60 BCE  100 CE
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Economy Variables (Luxury Goods)
Religion Variables
Moralizing Supernatural Punishment and Reward Late Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_late)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Moralizing Enforcement is Broad Absent Inferred 60 BCE  100 CE
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Moralizing Supernatural Concern is Primary Absent Inferred 60 BCE  100 CE
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Moralizing Enforcement is Agentic Absent Inferred 60 BCE  100 CE
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Moralizing Enforcement in This Life Absent Inferred 60 BCE  100 CE
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Moralizing Supernatural Punishment And Reward Absent Inferred 60 BCE  100 CE
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Moralizing Religion Adopted by Commoners Absent Inferred 60 BCE  100 CE
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Moralizing Enforcement is Targeted Absent Inferred 60 BCE  100 CE
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Moralizing Enforcement in Afterlife Absent Inferred 60 BCE  100 CE
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Moralizing Religion Adopted by Elites Absent Inferred 60 BCE  100 CE
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Moralizing Enforcement of Rulers Absent Inferred 60 BCE  100 CE
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Moralizing Enforcement is Certain Absent Inferred 60 BCE  100 CE
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Human Sacrifice Late Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_late)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Crisis Cases
View all Crisis Cases
Instability Data
Power Transitions
View all Power Transitions