The greatest of the first millennium empiresin wealth, size, and population was China’sT’ang Dynasty.

From the collapse of the Han Dynasty in 220 A.D.,China experienced infighting among warlords andconstant invasions.

Li Yuan founded the T’ang Dynasty.He claimed the Mandate of Heaven.

The T’ang Dynasty resumed the examinationsystem of the Han.

Loyal and trained administrators were usedin the vast empire that included parts of Eastern and Central Asia.

His son, T’aizong, expanded the empire intoTibet and westward into Central Asia.

During the T’ang dynasty, China’s firstwoman ruler presided over a golden age.

Empress Wu Zhao

T’ang Accomplishments

The T’ang ordered theconstruction of canalsfor internal trade.

The T’ang redistributed land among the peasants.

Printing Gunpowd

er Porcelain Weaving Pagodas

Chinese Accomplishments

The T’ang fell from power amid growingindependence of military commanders.

Warlords ruled China.

China was not reunited again until 960 A.D.

The Song Dynasty revived China.

1. Expanded and regulated trade2. Issued Paper Currency3. A revival of poetry4. Landscape painting

But in 1279, the Mongol ruler, Kublai Khanestablished the Yuan Dynasty.

The dynastic cycle continued!