Definition
The Tang Dynasty ruled China from 618 to 907 CE and is widely regarded as one of the high points of Chinese civilization. It reunified the country after a long period of division and presided over a confident, outward-looking era.
The Tang capital, Chang'an, was among the largest and most cosmopolitan cities in the world, drawing merchants, pilgrims, students, and diplomats from across Asia. The dynasty's poetry, art, and government became models admired for centuries.
Why it matters
How it works
The Tang governed through a centralized bureaucracy staffed by educated officials, supported by a system of land allocation and taxation. A strong military secured trade routes and extended Chinese influence deep into Central Asia.
The dynasty's openness was a source of strength but also of strain. A devastating rebellion in the mid-eighth century weakened central authority, and although the Tang survived another century and a half, it never fully recovered, eventually fragmenting into competing regional powers.