Tang Dynasty

obmar · Site Admin Joined: 14 Apr 2006 Posts: 5697

From its establishment in 618 to its downfall in 907, the Tang Dynasty is the most prosperous dynasty in Chinese history.

Jade article of the Tang Dynasty

The Tang can be divided into two periods: the early period and the late period, with the eight-year An Lushan-Shi Siming Rebellion as its turning point. The early period was a golden age, while the latter was a period of decline. After Emperor Gaozu established the Tang Dynasty, Li Shimin, Emperor Taizong, finally unified the whole of China in 10 years time. During his reign, Emperor Taizong invested all of his efforts in consolidating his regime, making the Tang the most prosperous in the history of feudal China. The period was known as Zhen Guan Zhi Zhi (the reigning years of Zhen Guan) and was the world leader in politics, economy and culture. The golden age -- a peaceful period called Kai Yuan Sheng Shi (the flourishing age of Kaiyuan) -- continued until the reign of Emperor Xuanzong. In the late years of Emperor Xuanzong's reign, the An Lushan-Shi Simin Rebellion seriously hurt the Tang Empire, marking its decline.

Agate cup of the Tang Dynasty
During the early period, economic growth and political stability provided a favorable environment for the development of culture, art and foreign relations. Tang poetry was also the most remarkable in Chinese history. Achievements in other fields were also exceptional.

The late-Tang period fell into a political turmoil, with strife between the Niu Faction and Li Faction and eunuch monopoly. Continuous peasant uprisings culminated in Huang Chao's uprising where Commander Zhu Wen turned his back on Huang and joined the Tang side. Later, Zhu deposed the Tang emperor and proclaimed himself emperor of the later Liang Dynasty, which ushered in the period of the Five Dynasties and Ten States.