This was the first golden age of China. The first question that may pop into your mind is why? At least, that's what I was wondering. And because of my great time traveling machine, I was allowed to travel back into time and figure out exactly what went down to make this dynasty so great!
After the Han dynasty, China remained divided for almost 400 years. China still functioned, but was not as strong as it had been. In 618, the Tang Dynasty began. Li Yuan was the first emperor, but it was his son Tan Taizong who was the big deal. So, as you can guess, Tan is the guy I visited. Tan was a brilliant general, a government reformer, historian, and master of calligraphy. He restored the Han Confucianism idea, and used the civil test (only smartest people are educated and given good jobs). This made sure all government officials and people of high power were well educated and naturally smart. Because of its success, Vietnam, Tibet, and Korea became part of this dynasty.
After hanging with Tan, I felt like I needed a change of pace. I needed to go somewhere a little more artsy, and find the real reason why the Tang Dynasty was a golden age.
Well, my answer laid in the hands of Li-po and Du fu. Who are these men? The two greatest poets of the Tang Dynasty. In fact, there poetry was so great and inspirational, it inspired art and literature that will come in the Sung Dynasty, which I will explore next. These guys were great! Except, they never really got out of poetry mode when you talked to them, and that could get a little annoying at times.
The Tang Dynasty was not perfect though. Territories were lost to Arab invaders, and because of high taxes and drought, a rebellion occurred. The Mandate of Heaven was taken away, and the Tang Dynasty fell in 907.
After the Han dynasty, China remained divided for almost 400 years. China still functioned, but was not as strong as it had been. In 618, the Tang Dynasty began. Li Yuan was the first emperor, but it was his son Tan Taizong who was the big deal. So, as you can guess, Tan is the guy I visited. Tan was a brilliant general, a government reformer, historian, and master of calligraphy. He restored the Han Confucianism idea, and used the civil test (only smartest people are educated and given good jobs). This made sure all government officials and people of high power were well educated and naturally smart. Because of its success, Vietnam, Tibet, and Korea became part of this dynasty.
After hanging with Tan, I felt like I needed a change of pace. I needed to go somewhere a little more artsy, and find the real reason why the Tang Dynasty was a golden age.
Well, my answer laid in the hands of Li-po and Du fu. Who are these men? The two greatest poets of the Tang Dynasty. In fact, there poetry was so great and inspirational, it inspired art and literature that will come in the Sung Dynasty, which I will explore next. These guys were great! Except, they never really got out of poetry mode when you talked to them, and that could get a little annoying at times.
The Tang Dynasty was not perfect though. Territories were lost to Arab invaders, and because of high taxes and drought, a rebellion occurred. The Mandate of Heaven was taken away, and the Tang Dynasty fell in 907.
https://socialstuds.wikispaces.com/file/view/Emperor_Tang_Taizong.jpg/69771949/Emperor_Tang_Taizong.jpg
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