Reading this title in the “Life in the Ancient World” makes you realize how much was developed thousands of years ago—music, calligraphy, painting and games. The Chinese were masters of all and played a game of qi or Chinese chess. In many societies women were not given the same opportunities as men for schooling, but many were educated and became musicians, poets and writers. In Japan during the Yayoi and Yamato periods women were held in high esteem but that changed with the introduction of Buddhism and Confucianism.