SUI DYNASTY (581-617) & TANG EMPIRE (618-907)

POLITICAL CHANGE

Early Tang: Strong Central Court; Confident & Cosmopolitan

Li Yuan, first cousin to the second Sui emperor, became Tang Gaozu (r. 618-626) the first Tang ruler. His second son Li Shimin became the ambitious second emperor Tang Taizong (r. 626-649).

Empress Wu (Wu Zhao) (ca. 625-706): concubine of the third emperor Gaozong and founder of the erstwhile “Zhou” dynasty.

An Lushan Rebellion (755): widespread rebellion, launched by powerful Turkish frontier commander An Lushan (703-757). This revolt contributed to the gradual but inevitable decline of the Tang.

Yang Guifei (d. 756): daughter of a high official and concubine of the great emperor Tang Xuanzong (r. 712-756). Yang has long been known as "the most beautiful woman of China."

Late Tang on Defensive!

INTELLECTUAL CHANGE

Taoism and Buddhism of Early Tang finally give way to Confucianism in Late Tang

841: Court Attacks Buddhism

Han Yü (768-824): high official, known as a political and cultural reformer. Han was the self -proclaimed “savior” of Confucius and the “patron saint” of later Neo-Confucians. Han Yü's "Ancient Literature" Movement rejects the decorative writing style popular in the late Tang.

SOCIAL CHANGE

Promotion by Examination and by Birth-right

National Elite still very important

Women hold some important social position in Early Tang; gradually lose ground during dynasty