China: The Golden Age

Covers the expansion of reunited China under the rulers of the Sui and T'ang dynasties (581 A.D. to 907 A.D.) through a variety of artifacts, documents, and art materials. Compares the rule of Emperor Wen, founder of the Sui dynasty, with that of his son, Emperor Yang, whose extravagance eventually led to his assassination amid rebellion. Observes that the T'ang dynasty followed and prospered until the first half of the 8th century when it eventually lost its lustre, but its cultural achievements were a landmark in Chinese history., Covers the expansion of reunited China under the rulers of the Sui and T'ang dynasties (581 A.D. to 907 A.D.) through a variety of artifacts, documents, and art materials. Compares the rule of Emperor Wen, founder of the Sui dynasty, with that of his son, Emperor Yang, whose extravagance eventually led to his assassination amid rebellion. Observes that the T'ang dynasty followed and prospered until the first half of the 8th century when it eventually lost its lustre, but its cultural achievements were a landmark in Chinese history.