The Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 AD) was a significant period in Chinese history, following the Western Han Dynasty. It began when the general Liu Xiu restored the Han rule after a brief interruption by the Wang Mang regime. The capital was established in Luoyang, and the dynasty is known for its advancements in technology, culture, and trade, including the expansion of the Silk Road. During the Eastern Han, the population grew, and agriculture flourished, leading to economic prosperity. The dynasty also saw the rise of influential figures like Cao Cao and the development of Confucianism as a state philosophy. However, internal strife and corruption eventually led to its decline and the rise of the Three Kingdoms period.