The Tang Dynasty

Abstract

In this study we try to explore the concept of Tang Dynasty in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on Tang Dynasty and its history, culture and social factors. The research also analyzes many aspects of Tang Dynasty and tries to gauge its effect on history, culture and social factors.

Table of Contents

Abstract1

Introduction3

History3

Reign of Li Shi Min and splendor of the Tang Empire5

Religion and Politics5

Decline of the Tang Empire6

Conclusion7

Works Cited8

The Tang Dynasty

Introduction

The Tang Dynasty (618 - 907) was the successor to the Sui Dynasty and predecessor of the period of Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms in China. The dynasty was interrupted by the second Zhou dynasty (690 - 705), when Emperor Wu Zetian usurped the throne and founded his own dynasty. The Tang dynasty, with its capital Chang'an (now Xi'an), the city considered by historians as a period of splendor of Chinese civilization, equal if not superior, to the Han period.

History

Late Han Dynasty, in 220, China experienced a long period of disunity, social chaos, political disorder, economic and cultural isolation between the south and north. The country was reunified in 589 by the Sui Dynasty and entered a period of prosperity and stability to the appearance of despotism and bureaucracy during the reign of the cruel, extravagant and licentious ruler Yang Di. "The Chinese always accepted that the mandate of heaven can be removed and given to a revolutionary, says sinologist William Harmful Ribatto, who adds, in this case the winner was Li Shimin (597-649), who, by filial piety, he his father on the throne before assuming the role himself emperor and founded the Tang Dynasty ".

The Buddhism, which had emerged in India at the time of Confucius, continued to flourish during the Tang period and was adopted by the imperial family, becoming an essential part of traditional Chinese culture. The development of the printing block extended the dissemination of works written for a wider audience (Rapp, 90).

It was the last dynasty that required its leaders to master the martial arts. The civilian and military careers were indistinguishable; the predominance of civic virtues was not absolute: they were indeed poets and officials, writers and politicians.

The dynasty's peak came during the reign of Li Shi Min which was a very clever emperor and yet quite good with people. One thing that characterizes this dynasty was that most of the emperors thought of the life of the people who had really bad living conditions for the continuous wars. Li Shi Min has been questioned by historians quite the way we came to the throne. Li Shi Min had to kill his older brother who was proclaimed successor and younger brother to force his father to appoint his successor. This has been questioned by historians, but thanks to a brilliant way to reign in China is remembered as a great emperor (Kiang, 134).

Reign of Li Shi Min and splendor of the Tang Empire

Li Shi Min reigned from 626 until his death in 649. His reign began when ...