China :The Sui, Tang and Song

Dynasties

• China’s history organized by its ruling Dynasties• China already 2000+ years old when Sui Dynasty

emerged in 589 AD• Important early ones to remember

– Qin (221- 206 BCE)Unified Chinese-speaking people– Han (202 BCE – 220CE)Prosperous (similar to influence of

Roman Empire on modern European cultures)

Dynastic History

U.S.A.(1776-2006 CE)

Qin Dynasty(221-206 BCE)

Sui Dynasty(589-618 CE)

Song Dynasty(960-1279 CE)

Yuan Dynasty(1279-1368 CE)

Tang Dynasty(618-907 CE)

Interregnum(220-589 CE)

Han Dynasty(202 CE-220CE)

Zhou Dynasty(1027-221 BCE)

Shang Dynasty(1532-1027 BCE)

0

2000

CE

2000

BC

E

A Military Leader Forms New Dynasty

New

Dynas ty Expands

Chi na &

Re form

s G

overnment

Chinese Dynastic Cycles

Peasants Revolt and

Intellectuals Challenge

Dynasty

Dynasty overextends itself

Mandate of

Heaven

• World’s largest population, and growing (approximately 50-60 million during Tang)

• Territorially the largest country in world• Numerous inventions with world-wide impact:

• Gunpowder• Compass• Silks• Movable type printing• Clocks• Porcelain• Paper money

• Growing trade of these goods spreads Chinese culture and influence throughout Asia

Pax Sinica, 500-1500 CE

Interregnum(c.580 C.E.)

SuiDynasty,

589-618 AD

Sui Wendi, first Emperor of Sui Dynasty

TangDynasty,

618-907 AD

Gao Zu,1st Tang Emperor

Tang Taizong,2nd Tang Emperor

Wu Zhao,Tang Empress

http://www.artsmia.org/arts-of-asia/china/explore/largeimages.cfm?start=93

http://www.clevelandart.org/explore/work.asp?accNo=&keywordid%2D3=&keywordid%2D1=&startYear=600&title=horse&recordtype=2&department=4&endYear=900&advsearch=y&searchText=&x=0&y=0&recNo=0&tab=2&display=

Tang Horse Sculpture—Symbols of Imperial Power and Authority

Sui Dynasty : Qin Dynasty Tang Dynasty : Han Dynasty

Explain . . .

Comparisons

SongDynasty,960-1279

Southern

Song,

1127-1279

Photos from arecreatedcity of the

Song Dynasty

Printing pages from Song Dynasty, 12th Century