History Trivia Thread Reducks

[Jaron]

The first Chinese dynasty to expand exert total control over China proper and eventually into what is now Central China, this dynasty is the origin of the word "China" and was famous for its totalitarian policies, especially in regards to philosophical works.  However, early in its history, this state was regarded as semi-barbarous by other Chinese states, as it was a bulwark against incursions by this nomadic people, and mixed with them, and eventually this Chinese dynasty began the introduction of Steppe art and technology into China. 

Name
1) The dynasty
2) The nomadic people

First should be easy, and I'd except reasonably close relatives of the second.

The answer is Nurhachi, first emperor of Manchu dynasty.

[Eddie Teach]

The diamond, Jaron. The deal was for the diamond! 

[Jaron]

The diamond, Jaron. The deal was for the diamond! 

[Queequeg]

The answer is Nurhachi, first emperor of Manchu dynasty.

You are literally thousands of years off. 

[Eddie Teach]

I believe there was a dynasty named the Chin.

[Queequeg]

I believe there was a dynasty named the Chin.

Qin=Chin.

Need answer to second, far less obvious question.

[HisMajestyBOB]

Turks?

[Alexandru H.]

Xiongnu. Quite an easy question. 

[Agelastus]

Qin=Chin.

Need answer to second, far less obvious question.

I believe Caliga has given the correct answer, even if misspelled. Right?

alexandru H.

Hsiung-Nu and Xiongnu are one and the same - and incorrect, as I realised when I posted my answer (the date is too early, and the geographical location is marginally wrong.

[Queequeg]

Agelastus is right, and Xiongnu is wrong.

[Caliga]

So I'm right? 

[Queequeg]

So I'm right? 

Hmm.

Well.

Technically, no, but this is a pretty obscure topic and I'm giving you credit as the few sources we have compare them to the Yue-Zhi/Chi and that's impressively obscure.

I was looking for the Rong, or more generally the Wusun.  Indo-European Central Asian nomads who introduced a lot of vocabulary (iirc, words for Horse and Apple) into ancient Chinese  and had a big impact on their material culture and military (the chariot, cavalry).  Most evidence I've seen suggest that the Wusun were Indo-Iranian, but that's open to debate.  I would have accepted Saka too, mostly as it appeals to my EB fetish. 

Ancient Chinese histories speak of red haired, large men with odd noses and deep faces, and it is entirely  likely that this was true. Always thought that was neat.   

[Agelastus]

Yep, you're up Caliga. Although it appears I need to do some more research, as the Yue-zhi (who later became the Kushans, probably) seemed to be the absolutely correct answer to me. At 05.47AM UK time, I am off to do said research.

So where's our next question?

[Caliga]

The inhabitants of Taumako Island in the Solomons chain are renowned for having what special skill?

[Pat]

They practice penile subincision, so as to have sex and ejaculate from the base of the penis, outside the vagina?



(as practiced by many primitive societies to avoid malthusian population pressure)