Investigating the People, Places and Events of Ancient Chinese History

Have you ever wondered about the immense history of Ancient China? From the construction of the Great Wall to the rise of dynasties like Han and Tang, Chinese history is an astonishing marvel that reveals the roots of the Chinese culture and its complex characters. In today's blog, let's take a deeper dive into the people, places and events that shaped the essence of Ancient China – one of the world's oldest civilizations!

How did Ancient Chinese Society Operate?

Ancient China was centered around a hierarchical system of classes. The Emperor at the time was regarded as “Son of Heaven” and he was the supreme ruler of the land. Below the Emperor were the wealthy elites who received the upper hand in both social and political matters. Following the elites was the commoners, who often had to work hard to receive a basic living. In addition, a much lower class of servitude was also known to exist at the mercy of the more wealthy classes. This was the common structure during much of the ancient dynasties of China.

What Famous Structures Did Ancient China Have?

A defining element of Chinese history is the incredible structures that still stand today. Perhaps the most iconic is the Great Wall of China, a feat of engineering that is a remainder of the country's majestic past. It was a defensive structure, extending over 5,000 miles, and was originally built over two thousand years ago. In addition, many other ingenious creations such as the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, an extensive water diversion project installed in the 3rd century BC, are also evidence of the ancient Chinese people’s engineering prowess.

Which Dynasties Governed Ancient China?

China is home to some of the most successful and long-standing dynasties in all of history. The most defining era was undoubtedly the Han Dynasty (206 BC to 220 AD), one of the longest-ruling dynasties that lasted for an impressive four centuries. The Han Dynasty left its mark in several ways, including the creation of the Silk Road, an expansive trading route between East and West, and the strengthening of Confucianism, a cultural philosophy that shaped Chinese society for many years. Following the Han Dynasty was the Tang Dynasty (618 to 907 AD), which is remembered for its art, literature, and development of cities.

What Kind of Art and Literature Emerged From Ancient China?

Throughout its long history, China has developed an array of art and literature forms, many of which still live on to this day. During Ancient China, calligraphy and poetry were particularly popular among the elites in society. One very famous example is Chao Gongwu, a renowned calligraphist who is still celebrated for his skillful and magnificent artwork. In terms of literature, people cultivated here included renowned names such as Ouyang Xiu and Su Shi, and among their works are several literary pieces that are still studied today.
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What Legacy of Ancient China Remains to This Day?

Despite being at least two thousand years old, there are still tangible remnants of Ancient China all around us. Perhaps the most obvious are its language and food. The characters used for writing in China today were first developed during the Han Dynasty and these characters are still used throughout East Asia today. In terms of food, many of the staples enjoyed today, such as the dumpling and the pork bun, are hundreds, if not thousands of years old.

Overall, the investigation of Ancient Chinese history reveals a culture and people with a great amount of energy and tenacity, producing masterful art and cultural ideas that have stood the test of time!
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