The History of China show

The History of China

Summary: A journey through the 5000 years of history documented by one of the world's oldest continuous civilizations. For all the episodes for free, as well as additional content, please subscribe and/or visit http://thehistoryofchina.wordpress.com.

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 #77 - Sui 1: Internal Affairs | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 2765

Emperor Wen of Sui is potentially the most important monarch you've never heard of. For him, militarily reuniting China wasn't his legacy - it was his prelude. Both pre- and post-reunification, we explore the internal facets of his truly impressive reign today: his origins, personality, outlook, confidantes, the existential problems he inherited from the Period of Disunion, and the novel, world-changing solutions he'd craft to ensure China's reunification would be factual, rather than just rhetorical.Time Period Covered:581-600 CEMajor FiguresYang Jing (Emperor Wen of Sui)[r. 581-604]Empress Dugu QieluoGao JiangYang SuSu WeiLi DelinArthur F. Wright, Chaffee and Twitchett (ed.) The Cambridge History of China, Vol. 3 (1979) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 #76 - S&N 20: Taking Stock | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1888

So what does it all mean? Before stepping boldly into the Sui Dynasty, we take this episode to pan out to low-Earth orbit and watch the macro-developments of the past 300-plus years of Disunity, reviewing the dramatic sweep of a period of time often left out of many Western historical understandings of Chinese history due to is sheer complexity and confusing nature.Time Period Covered:220-589 CE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 #75 - S&N 19: Reunion | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 2236

Northern Zhou seems to have plotted a course for ultimate victory in the contest between the Northern and Southern Dynasties, having already annexed Northern Qi and turned its sights on Chen to the south. But it’s amazing how quickly dynastic fortunes can reverse themselves, and the Yuwen Clan’s line of emperors find itself stopped short, destroyed not by external threat but from an enemy within: the Duke of Sui, the man who would be Emperor of all China.Time Period Covered:577-589 CEMajor Figures:Northern Zhou:Yuwen Yan (Emperor Xuan; “The Responsible”) [r. 577-578, as Retired Emperor Tianyuan; “The Heavenly and Fundamental” r. 578-580]Yuwen Chan (Emperor Jing; “The Silent”) [r. 578-581]Gen. Yuchi Jiong [d. 580]Gen. Yin ShouSui:Duke Yang Jiang of Sui (Emperor Wen; “The Cultured”) [regent of Northern Zhou 580-581, Emperor of Sui r. 581-604]Chen:Chen Xu (Emperor Xuan; “The Responsible”) [r. 569-582]Chen Shubao (Houzhu; “Final Ruler”) [r. 582-589]Western Liang (vassal of Northern Zhou/Sui):Xiao Cong (Emperor Jing; “The Meek”) [r. 585-587] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 #74 - S&N 18- The Fall Of Northern Qi | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 2487

In the Northeast of China, Northern Qi just can’t catch a break. First it was Emperor Wenxuan’s murderous paranoia, and now it will be subjected to Wucheng’s indolent hedonism, “immoral games,” and general excesses… and then the penultimate Qi emperor, Houzhi, will decide that the state treasury is his own personal piggy-bank and startin singing “Hakuna Matata” while the state burns.Meanwhile to the West, Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou will finally break out of his uncle Yuwen Hu’s shadow – by shattering his skull – and then begin eying the swiftly foundering Northern Qi debacle hungrily, eager to reunite the North after almost a half-century of seperation. By episode’s end, it will be a climactic showdown between the two powerful states: one waxing, one waning… which will emerge victorious?Time Period Covered:561-578 CENotable Figures:Northern Qi:Emperor/Retired Emperor Wucheng (Gao Dan) [r. 561-565, d. 569]Empress Hu [565-572]Prime Minister He Shikai [524-571]Zu Ting [550-577]Emperor Houzhu (Gao Wei) [r. 565-578]Gao Heng (Youzhu) [570-577]Northern Zhou:Emperor Wu (Yuwen Yong) [r. 560-578]Emperor Xuan (Yuwen Yun) [r. 579-582]Yang Lihua (Crowned Princess/Empress of Zhou) [r. 579-582]Prime Minister Yuwen Hu [513-572]Yang Jian, Duke of Sui [541- ]Göturk Khannate:Muqan Khagan (Ashina Yando) [554-572]Empress Ashina [551-582] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 #73 - S&N 17: The Only Tear Shed For Wenxuan | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 2300

Today’s episode takes us through the turmoil within northern China and beyond over the 550s. We begin looking outside of China proper as the rulers of the Rouran Steppe Confederacy are overthrown and replaced by the vassal-turned-enemy the Göktürks, and briefly touch on the Khitan Tribe of Manchuria. We then go through the reign of Emperor Wenxuan of Northern Qi, who will initially lead his newfound dynasty to power and prominence before his mounting madness will plunge it into chaos and terror.Time Period Covered550-561 CENotable FiguresAshina Bumin/Tumen (Illig Khagan of Göktürk) [r. 550]Issik Khagan of East GokturkIstemi Khagan of West GokturkGeneral Gao Huan (Warlord of Eastern Wei) (d. 550)Gao Yang (Emperor Wenxuan of Northern Qi) [r. 551-560]Crowned Prince Gao Yin (Emperor Fei of Northern Qi) [r. 560]Gao Yan, Prince of Chanshan (Emperor Xiaozhao of Northern Qi) [r. 560-561]Prime Minister Yang Yin [d. 560]Works CitedThe History of the Northern Dynasties (Bei Shi) – Li Dashi and Li YanshouThe Zizhi Tongjian – Sima GuangEarly Chinese Religion: The Period of Division (220-589 AD) Pt. 1 & 2 – John Lagerway and Lü Pengzhi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 #72 - S&N 16: As The World Burns | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 2170

In the post-557 world, the three new major powers of China must confront the wide ranges of changes and struggles they must each face now that the political order of the entire empire has been turned on its head. This time, we look at the situation in the south as Northern Zhou and Chen vie for control over the central reaches of the Yangtze River.Dates Covered: 557-568Important Figures:Northern QiWarlord Yuwen Tai [d. 556]Yuwen Jue (Emperor/Heavenly Prince Xiaomin) [r. 556-557]Yuwen Yu (Emperor Ming) [r. 557-560]Yuwen Yong (Emperor Wu) [r. 560-578]Duke Yuwen Hu of Jin (Regent of Northern Zhou) [r. 557-572]ChenGeneral Chen Baxian (Emperor Wu) [r. 557-559]Chen Qian (Emperor Wen) [r. 559-566]General Wang Lin (Liang Loyalist Rebel Leader) [555-560]Crowned Prince Chen Chang [d. 559]Prime Minister Hou Andu [d. 563]Warlord Zhou Di (Rebel Leader) [r. 563-565]Chen Bozong (Emperor Fei) [r. 566-568]Chen Xu (Emperor Xuan) [r. 569-582] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Supplemental Biopic: The Mathematician Of Heaven | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 830

This short episode covers the life of one of the great mathematicians, astronomers, and engineers of ancient China: Zu Chongzhi. In his life from 429-500 CE, he will re-create an ancient precursor to the compass that had been lost for centuries, calculate the motions of the celestial objects with a degree of accuracy in excess of 99.9%, design a comprehensive new calendar system, and derive the value of π to a degree of accuracy that would not be surpassed the world over for another millennium. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 #71 - S&N 15: The Crowded Hour | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 2834

“There are decades where nothing happens, and there are weeks when decades take place.”It’s an out and out brawl as everything comes to a head at once in the 550s, all across China. In the south, the Liang princes struggle against both the rebel general Hou Jing who holds the capital and the emperor, but also among themselves. In the north, Eastern and Western Wei similarly are undergoing their own internal struggles, which will see the overthrow of all the dynasties we’ve come to know with a whole new batch of contenders.Time Period Covered:549-557 CEMajor Figures:Liang/Han/ChenWarlord/Emperor Hou JingEmperor JianwenPrince Xiao Yi of Xiangdong (Emperor Yuan of Liang)Prince Xiao Ji of Wuling (Emperor of Western Liang) [posthumously renamed Taotie]Prince Xiao HuanPrince Xiao YuPrince Xiao Cha (Emperor Xuan of Western Liang)General Chen Baxian (Emperor Wu of Chen)Western Wei/Northern ZhouWarlord Yuwen TaiYuwen Jue (Emperor Xiaomin of Zhou)Eastern Wei/Northern QiWarlord Gao ChengEmperor Xiaojing of Eastern WeiGeneral Murong ShaozongGao Yang (Emperor Wenxuan of Northern Qi)Lan Qin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 #70 - S&N 14: The Hou Jing Disturbance | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 2460

The end of Emperor Wu’s 5-decade-long rule over the Liang Empire is jam-packed with action. Following the split between Eastern and Western Wei in the North, it seems like there’s might be peace and quiet in the South for once. But this will prove short-lived, indeed. First, Vietnam will rise up in it first major rebellion in centuries against Chinese hegemony, and then a general from the far north will go rogue, defect from his warlord, and offer up his territories to Liang. It seems like an offer too good to be true… and as Emperor Wu will learn the hard way, what seems too good, usually is…Time-Frame Covered:535-557 CEMajor Historical Figures:LiangEmperor Wu of Liang (née Xiao Yan) [r. 502-549]Acting Prime Minister Zhu YiMarquis Xiao Zi, Governor of Jiao PrivinceMarquis Xiao YuanmingXiao Yong, Governor of Kuang ProvinceGeneral Chen BaxianEastern WeiWarlord Gao HuanPrince Gao ChengEmperor XiaowenGeneral Murong ShaozongGeneral Hou JingWestern WeiWarlord Yuwen TaiEmperor XiaojingRouran KhaganateChiliantoubingdoufa KhanVietnam (Jiao Province/Van Xuan Empire)Ly Bon (Ly Nam De/ Emperor Ly of the South)Trieu Tuc, Chieftain of Chu-dien CityTrieu Quang Phuc (Trieu Viet Vong/King Trieu of Viet) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 #69 - S&N 13: The Ransom Of The Boddhisatva Emperor | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 2410

Buddhism has taken Southern China by storm, but few more than its emperor, Wu of Liang. He’ll try to talk a monk out of setting himself on fire, have an awkward chat with the founder of Zen Buddhism, and even enter a monastery and refuse to leave, prompting his whole court to “ransom” him back by bribing the monks to kick him out. All of this while civil war ripples through Northern Wei.Time Period Covered:517-535 CENotable Figures:Emperor Wu of Liang (née Xiao Yan)Consort Ding LingguangCrowned Prince Xiao TongCrowned Prince Xiao GangMarquis Xiao ZhengdeMonk DaoduMonk BoddhidharmaSources Used:Burning for the Buddha by James A. BennZizhi Tongjian by Sima GuangBlue Cliff Record (BiYan Lu) by Yuanwu Keqin Textual History of the Mahāyāna-mahāparinirvāna-sūtra by Stephen Hodge Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 #68 - S&N 12: Dam It, Wu! | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 2074

Going back about 50 years to the beginning of the 6th century, we move South once more to visit the new Dynasty that has destroyed the Qi: Liang, and it’s founding Emperor Wu. In this first half of Wu of Liang’s reign, wars will be fought, religions will be adopted, and a massive dam will be constructed as a siege weapon.Time Period Covered: 464-517Major Figures:Emperor Wu of Liang (née Xiao Yan) [r. 502-549]Prince Xiao HongXiao Baojuan, Emperor of Southern Qi [483-501]Xiao Baorong (Emperor He of Southern Qi) [r. 501-502]Chief Engineer Chen ChengboGeneral Kang XuanGeneral Zhang BaozhiEmpress Dowager Hu of Northern Wei Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 #67 - S&N 11 All The Wei Down | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 2806

Though Northern Wei has been a beacon of steadiness amid the ephemeral Southern Dynasties, its time has come to an end. Wracked by ineptitude and betrayal, weighed down by jealous Empress dowagers, ambitious generals, and infant emperors, and with a society split between traditional customs and the new normal, it will devolve into civil war, mass purges, and – ultimately – a permanent split between East and West.Time Period Covered:515-535 CEMajor Characters:Grand/Empress/Dowager Hu (r. 515 - 528)Emperor Xiaoming (510 - 528)Prince Yuan Cha (d. 525)Erzhu Rong (492 - 530)Emperor Xiaowu’s Daughter (528 - ?)Yuan Zhao [Emperor Youzhu] (526 – 528)Emperor Xiaozhuang (r. 528 – 530)Gao Huan (496 - 547)Emperor Xiaowu (510 - 535) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 #66 - S&N 10: Cold Case File | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 2005

We continue our look at Northern Wei at the dawn of the 6th century. The imperial bookends will be Xiaowen - the chief proponent of sinicization among the Tuoba Xianbei - and his son Xuanwu, a placeholder in just about every sense of the term. The real drama will unfold around two of Xuanwu's wives... and whether or not one killed the other in a murder mystery 1500 years old.Period Covered:499-515 CEMajor Figures:Yuan Hong [Emperor Xiaowen] (r. 467-499)Yuan Ke [Emperor Xuanwu] (r. 499-515)Empress Yu (~488-507)Prince Yuan Chang (506-506)Consort/Empress Gao (d. 518)Gao Zhong, Prime Minister (d. 515)Empress Dowager Hu (d. 528)Crowned Prince Yuan Xu [Emperor Xiaoming] (r. 515-528) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 #65 - S&N 9: What's In A Name? | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 2149

While the South of China self-destructs time and again, the North is undergoing its own revolutionary shift - not of dynastic head, but something even more fundamental: total social re-organization - from Asian Steppe Society, to one trying to out-play the Chinese at their own game by switching social structure, language, dress, and even taking the ancient Chinese capital as their own in the latter half of the 5th century.Time Period Covered: 465-499 CENotable figures:Tuoba Hong (Emperor Xianwen) r. 465-471, d. 476Grand/Empress/Dowager Feng (442-490)Yifu Hun (d. 466)Tuoba Hong (r. 471- 499)Crowned Prince Tuoba/Yuan Xun (483-496)Crowned Prince Tuoba/Yuan Ke (Emperor Xuanwu) r. 499-815Empress Feng Run (Empress You) d. 499 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 #64 - S&N 8: The Rise And Fall Of Southern Qi | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 2020

The successor state to Liu Song will start off strong, but it will soon hit the rocks of instability, rebellion, and overthrow all in just a little more than 2 decades. At the dawn of the 6th century, its end will largely parallel its beginning.Time Frame: 479-502 CEMajor Participants:Xiao Daocheng (Emperor Gao of Southern Qi) r. 479-482Xiao Ze (Emperor Wu of Southern Qi) r. 482-493Xiao Zhaoye (Emperor/Marquis of Donghun) r. 493-494Xiao Luan (Emperor Ming of Southern Qi) r. 494-498Xiao Baojuan (Emperor of Southern Qi) r. 498-502Xiao Baorong (Emperor of Southern Qi) r. 501-502Xiao Yan (Duke/Prince/Emperor Wu of Liang) r. 502-549 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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