TangDynastie

The Tang Dynasty, ruling China from 618 to 907, followed the Sui and is regarded as a high point in Chinese civilization. Founded by Li Yuan, who became Emperor Gaozu, the dynasty presided over a centralized bureaucracy, a strong military, and a flourishing culture. The capital Chang’an (present-day Xi’an) was a cosmopolitan hub of governance and trade, linked to the Silk Road and maritime routes that connected China with Central Asia, the Middle East, and beyond.

Administration and society: Tang governance expanded the civil service examination to recruit officials, reinforcing a centralized state while often relying on powerful regional military governors (jiedushi). The equal-field system aimed to allocate land equitably, but fiscal and demographic pressures weakened it over time. Notable rulers include Taizong, who consolidated authority, and Xuanzong, whose reign marked a cultural zenith. Empress Wu Zetian briefly established a Zhou regime within the Tang in the late 7th century.

Culture and religion: Tang culture celebrated poetry, literature, painting, and early printing. Poets such as Li Bai and Du Fu are emblematic of the era. Buddhism remained influential, shaping religious practice and art, while Confucian ideas guided administration and social norms. The dynasty maintained extensive international contacts, with exchanges across Korea, Japan, Central Asia, and maritime regions, contributing to a vibrant, multilingual urban culture in centers like Chang’an.

Decline and legacy: The An Lushan Rebellion (755–763) weakened central authority and shifted power toward regional military leaders. Subsequent uprisings, fiscal strain, and natural disasters accelerated the decline, culminating in the dynasty’s end in 907 and the fragmentation into northern and southern realms. The Tang left a lasting legacy in governance, law, and East Asian culture, notably through Tang poetry and art.