Historical Figures and Their Contributions

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Asoka

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Third ruler of the Mauryan Empire in India (r. 270-232 B.C.E.). He converted to Buddhism and broadcast his precepts on inscribed stones and pillars, the earliest surviving Indian writing.

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Siddhartha Gautama

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Founder of Buddhism

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Alexander the Great

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Son of Philip II; received military training in Macedonian army and was a student of Aristotle; great leader; conquered much land in Asia Minor, Syria, Egypt, and Mesopotamia; goal was to conquer the known world; Spread Hellenistic Culture.

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Julius Caesar

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100-44 B.C. Roman general who became the republic's dictator in 45 B.C.

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Shi Huangdi

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Founder of the Qin dynasty and China's first emperor.

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Socrates

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Greek philosopher; socratic method--questioning; sentenced to death for corrupting Athens youth.

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Ibn Battuta

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Moroccan Muslim scholar, the most widely traveled individual of his time. He wrote a detailed account of his visits to Islamic lands from China to Spain and the western Sudan.

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Mansa Musa

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Emperor of the kingdom of Mali in Africa. He made a famous pilgrimage to Mecca and established trade routes to the Middle East. Richest man in the world.

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Emperor Justinian

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Byzantine emperor in the 6th century A.D. who reconquered much of the territory previously ruled by Rome. He initiated an ambitious building program, including Hagia Sofia, as well as a new legal code.

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Genghis Khan

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Also known as Temujin; he united the Mongol tribes into an unstoppable fighting force; created largest single land empire in history.