More handpicked essays just for you.
History of the Tang Dynasty
Change and continuity of tang and song dynasty
Changes throughout the Tang and Song dynasties
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Throughout history, many empires and societies have demonstrated great power and strength. However, only seven have been chosen by Amy Chua to receive the title of a hyperpower. In order to be a hyperpower, a society must have conquered a large area and many people, tolerated different races and cultures, developed a military and economy comparable to none during that time, and have no equally powerful rivals. Although Persia, Imperial Rome, the Tang Dynasty, and the Mongols should be considered hyperpowers, the Dutch do not display the same worldwide dominance needed to be considered a hyperpower.
From the era of Cyrus the Great to Alexander the Great, Persia had the strongest military, economy, tolerance, and territory needed to deem it a
…show more content…
hyperpower. The Persian military conquered land stretching around 2,000 miles long, as per Bentley, creating one of the first major empires. Under the rule of Cyrus the Great, the military conquered modern day Turkey, Afghanistan, and Iran. His son Cambyses was able to conquer Europe and the leader Darius was later able to conquer all the way to India. Because many fertile regions such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, Anatolia, and Northern India were under Persian control in the 500s B.C.E., the economy benefited greatly due to agricultural surplus. The economy also improved with the construction of roads, the invention of qanats, underground canals, and the introduction of standardized coins. Persia was also very tolerant to the people that they conquered. Conquered people were allowed to observe their own customs and keep their own laws, as long as they did not interfere with standard Persian law. At the height of the empire, Persian population had reached a strong population of around 5 million people, as per Bentley, a record setting number for that time. Persia had the military power, economic importance, toleration of natives, and sheer territory from the era of Cyrus the Great to Alexander the Great to make it a hyperpower. Imperial Rome should be considered a hyperpower because of its large area, many people, toleration, and military and economic power. The Roman military was able to conquer all the area surrounding the Mediterranean Sea including Egypt, parts of Africa and Anatolia, as well as significant portion of southeastern Europe. The majority of people during Roman times depended on the Mediterranean Sea so the fact the Rome conquered it established Rome as a major power early on. Because of the large area Rome held, there were many different trading goods within the empire: Gual had grains, Spain had olive oil, and Syria had fruits and nuts. Trade was also easy since Rome controlled over maritime trade in the Mediterranean Sea. Similar to the Persians, Roman engineers created over 5,000 miles of roads for land trade within the empire. These engineers were also able to create very complex drainage systems. The Silk Roads were also beginning during this time and gave Rome the opportunity to trade across long distances to China and India. Rome was also tolerant to the people that they captured by not limiting their power. Although they normally started with low paying jobs, foreigners were able to gain power and become respectable businessmen. At its height around the second century A.D., Rome covered two million square miles and had around fifty million people, about a third of the world’s population at that time, as per Bentley. Imperial Rome had the military, economy, tolerance, and territory needed to deem it a hyperpower. The Tang dynasty was a hyperpower because of military power, economic importance, toleration of natives, and sheer territory.
Li Yuan, the founder of the Tang dynasty, used his military to create one of the largest dynasties in Chinese history. Along with conquering China, the Tang dynasty also added modern day Korea and Vietnam into their territory. Trade and the economy prospered with of the use of the Grand Canal, created during the Sui dynasty, as well as the Silk Road systems that were also used by the Romans. China experienced a rice surplus during the Tang dynasty due to the introduction of fast ripening rice. Instead of having one harvest a year, the new strain of rice allowed two harvests a year and doubled the rice production. This helped the Chinese economy remain prosperous during the Tang dynasty. The economy also grew because of standardized paper money and an early form of credit. Paper money was convenient when traded long distances since it was light and easy to carry. The Tang dynasty started used porcelain instead of clay for pottery, which became very popular in Europe and grew the economy. During the 700s A.D., the Tang also invented gunpowder, which can be considered one of the greatest inventions of all time. China also was fairly tolerant to outside culture. There were many cosmopolitan cities such as Chang’an and Luoyang with traders from different places that all worked with one another. The Tang dynasty had around fifty million people and controlled over two million square miles of land, as per Bentley. Because of its military, economy, tolerance, and territory, the Tang dynasty should be considered a
hyperpower. The Mongols were a hyperpower because of its military power, economic importance, toleration of natives, and sheer territory. Rulers like Genghis Khan trained the Mongol army with bow and arrows unlike the previous Tang and Romans. They also were great equestrians and commonly fought on horseback. With this strong military, the Mongols were able to from China all the way to western Europe, creating the largest empire of all time. Along with conquering many place, nearby societies such as Moscovia and western Europe were forced to pay tribute to avoid being conquered. Since the Mongols territory included almost all land routes of the Silk Road, trading throughout the empire and to surrounding territories was quick and safe. Although Genghis Khan and the Mongols had a very powerful army, they were not used to administering to an empire with millions of people. They gave government jobs to the locals and did not interfere with local affairs to often. This led to the overall toleration of conquered peoples. The Mongols were a hyperpower because of its military, economy, tolerance, and territory. The Dutch between the late 1500s to the late 1600s should not be considered a hyperpower because even though they had a great economy and tolerance, they only inhabited a small area and were almost equal with the English. The Dutch economy was very strong due to their fishing economy and joint stock companies. These stock companies were run by individuals, not the government, although the government often benefited by placing taxes on the goods that came in. The Dutch people were very tolerant since they had constitutionalism, a form of government in which the people get a say. The Dutch also were also tolerant to protest religions, including Calvinism. However, the English were also on the rise at this time. The Dutch were never able to fully defeat the English and establish control, demonstrating that the English were equal to the Dutch. The Netherlands was also very small with not even a million people, going against yet another aspect seen in all other hyperpower societies. The Dutch should not be considered a hyperpower because they had an equally powerful rival, a not exceptionally strong military, and a small population and territory. Hyperpowers are considered by Amy Chua to be a society with a large territory and many people, tolerant of different races and cultures, have a military and economy comparable to none during that time, and have no equally powerful rivals. Although Persia, Imperial Rome, the Tang Dynasty, and the Mongols should be considered hyperpowers, the Dutch do not display the same worldwide dominance needed to be considered a hyperpower. Imperial Rome, Persia, the Tang Dynasty, and the Mongols all had a strong economy because of trade and roads. They all were tolerant, although to different extents. Also, they were able to conquer many people with their strong military. All of these societies were comparable to none at the time. However, although the dutch had a great economy, they were constantly at odds with the English and other nearby civilizations. The Netherlands was also a very tiny piece of land with a small population. REALLY GOOD END HOOK
The Persian empire was ruled by mainly kings and satraps, as the kingdom began to extend it’s reaches to other civilizations, this way of government became more dominant than the form of government before. A lot of the empire’s success is based on pulling skills from different cultures and bringing them together to better the empire. The Persians greatly affected culture because they set the basis for all empire to come and how those empires should use their resources to become a culturally diverse
The Persian Empire was ruled by Darius the Great from 522 to 485 BCE. He spent years improving administrative organization then worked on expanding the empire. This empire lasted longer than all the others because people could keep their own laws as long as they pay their taxes. The Persian army also allowed more protection from invasions. They used cuneiform writing borrowed from Summerians. More unifying forces they use was Universal System of Weights and Measure, Highway System, Postal service, and Zoroastrianism which was based on individual
During the Tang and Song dynasty, many excellent achievements have been accomplished which are still being preserved and used widely over centuries. Their citizens were excelled in many fields with several of new and practical inventions which all directly affected the citizens’ lives.
Alexander the Not so Great:history through Persian eyes by Prof Ali Ansari Paragraph 1 Page
The Tang dynasty was an era of major technological advancement. This can be very clearly seen in their revolutionary explosive powder or gun powder, as well as their very expensive porcelain. The gunpowder is perhaps China’s most groundbreaking invention. Although it was invented for mere fireworks purposes, the military saw great potential in a highly explosive substance. This set off a chain reaction of events that some may think as detrimental to our society. From this powder, the first set of gun powder based guns, or muskets were developed. This triggered an arms race up until the early 1900s. As with any sort of mass engineering of guns, only death was left in its wake. Although the powder was pr...
The Persian empire had grown from a small kingdom to an immense empire stretching from Troy to modern day Russia. King Darius was their leader at the time, strangely enough, Darius was an imposter to the throne. When the previous king had passed into the next life, Darius had pretended to be his brother and they all believed him. By 490 B.C. the new leader was Xerxes, the famed god king. Xerxes had just come to victory at the marathon and his troops were eager for another, the sight of the narrow pass between two mountains being defended by over seven thousand Greeks and three hundred Spartans.
As in terms of economics, China grew prosperous through trade, military expansion, invention of tools and other means of convenience and through the market economy. From the Han Dynasty China began to build again. The Sui Dynasty constructed the Grand Canal. The Grand Canal was an artificial canal that extended 1,240 miles. It enabled merchants and farmers to travel by water, selling an abundance of rice and other crops. This canal was extremely expensive but throughout the years paid itself off by providing travel routes north and south of China. The Sui Dynasty also built palaces, granarie...
China was without a doubt one of the most innovative countries by reason of their many advances made throughout the Shang Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty. Numerous accomplishments were archived by this empire. Their form of government was based on Dynasties, which are series of rulers from the same family. Different dynasties brought out different successes, such as the famous Great wall, which was a 13,170 miles fortress built around around 206 A.C. by millions of people. This structure was ordered to build by China’s first emperor, Qin, in the interest of protecting the Empire from invaders. Another extraordinary Chinese invention was paper. This universal utensil was created in the 2nd century B.C. by Cai Lun. The creating of this material
Cyrus, the first persian emperor, ruled in a unique fashion, employing tolerance instead of fear, however, he relentlessly expanded his empire until his death. For example, When Cyrus and his massive army conquered Babylon he freed the jews and allowed the to return to the promise land. In addition he assisted in the rebuilding of their temple. Although some argue he did this to create a buffer state between hostile egypt and his empire, i find it more likely he did this to bring more peoples under his administration. The method which he concours societies is interesting; he presents himself not as a conqueror but as a liberator freeing the people of the region from an oppressive despot. Because of theses methods it was much easier to bring people under his rule. Additionally, once he brought states under imperial control he used strategic methods to govern the newly ‘liberated’ territories.
The Tang dynasty was founded in 618, and lasted until 907. The emperor was supreme and government officials were chosen by examination. A census was taken to simplify tax collection and to draft citizens to perform labor for the empire. This was a period of great land expansion. (Halsall, 1998) The emperor also had a great love of the arts, and the Tang became known as the golden age of literature and art. Block printing was invented and made writing more available. (Unknown, 2003) Shipbuilding and firearms development were also refined during the era. Art was heavily influenced by Buddhism, especially rock sculpture. One major problem that arose was the heavy burden of taxation. Many were unable to meet their heavy tax burden. To escape this, many placed themselves under the protection of great landlords who were exempt from taxes, or became bandits. (Halsall, 1998)
Cambyses I, one of the earliest Achaemenid kings, ruled Persia around 600 B.C. Upon his death, his son Cyrus II took over as king in 559 B.C., and later became known as Cyrus the Great. As the ruler of Persia at the age of 41, Cyrus wanted to gain more power to strengthen the Persian Empire. He started by negotiating an alliance with the Babylonians against the Medes, who at this time were being ruled by Cyrus’ grandfather Astyages (Cyrus, the Great). Around 550 BC Astyages was worried that his grandson might be trying to form an alliance with his enemy Nabonidus, King of Babylon. Astyages called for Cyrus to come to him in the capital of Ecbatana to discuss the matter, but Cyrus would not (Pettman). With the support of the Babylonians, Cyrus led a revolt and defeated the Medes (Cyrus II, the Great). The Nabodinus Chro...
Alexander began his military campaign and his rule much where his father left off. Whether or not it was his aim, this created a sense of normality for the men that was part of his father’s regime. Alexander’s position as a warrior-king who stood side-by-side among his men also served to create respect among his peers. Gradually, as Alexander conquered more Persian land, he began to adopt the policies of Persian rulers. Alexander’s change in policy extended beyond just political roles, he gave consideration to the local gods in many of the lands that he conquered. Eventually, Alexander brought people in from the conquered nations to serve under him.
The Tang Dynasty (618-906) succeeded the Sui Dynasty, who ruled from 581-618 A.D., respectively. The foundation for the development, growth, and expansion of China during the Tang Dynasty’s rule was laid during the Sui Dynasty’s reign. The political and governmental institutions of the Sui Dynasty directly influenced the Tang tremendously. Diplomatic relationships were successfully established during this period, and Tang China took its role as one of the greatest and prominent empires existing in the medieval world. Retail traders, clerics, ambassadors, and convoys from Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and other countries emerged into common members of everyday society in Tang China.
...ti-colored and multi-raced people, which was something that almost none of the other ancient empires had. It was a peaceful empire and was admired by many people. It had amazing acheivements in goverment, military and communication. It was the largest empire in the Ancient World and was an amazing empire, for the 250 years it lasted. The Persian Empire will be remembered as the largest empire in the ancient world and the most tolerant.
The Ming Dynasty had created an empire. They had the government, the military, and the economic system to prove it. At different points in time, The Chinese Empire was the greatest in the world, for trade, military, and other key factors in a society.