Philosophy and Empire in the Han

Themes

• imperialism
• centralization
• balance

Han China

Foundation and Development of Han Empire

Environment

• Yellow and Yangtze rivers Han Empire map [Alt Han map]
• regional __________
• rice agriculture

Development

• Qin dynasty 221-207 B.C.E.
  • legalism
  • bookburning
  • images of imperial strength
• Former Han dynasty 206 B.C.E.-C.E. 9
  • Liu Bang 206-195 B.C.E. "Yin" [Alt Liu Bang]
  • Han Wudi 141-87 B.C.E. "Yang"
• Later Han dynasty C.E. 25-220
  • Wang Mang C.E. 9-23
  • Yellow Turbans
• fall of Han: 3 kingdoms era C.E. 220-280

Han Legacy

• model of ____________
• government structure
• law
• The Silk Road: Chang-an, Great Wall, Army of 1st Emperor, Han tomb and horses

Han Imperial Culture

• social and economic
  • shih
  • agriculture
  • urbanization
  • commerce
  • technology
• arts
• beliefs and values
  • Earth, Heaven, Water, Man
  • Yin and Yang; Dao
  • Mandate of Heaven
• thought and literature
  • eclectic and encyclopedic
  • metaphysical and cosmological: Tung Chung-shu
  • history: Sima Qian (born c. 145 B.C.E.), Records of the Grand Historian
  • poetry: Ban Zhao CE 45-116, Lessons for Women
  • printing 1st cen C.E.

Conclusions

• Compare Han and Roman
• Dominance and Civilization: great men, empires, and just war
• Who are the barbarians?

Explore!

• Chinese Culture Images
• Chinese Culture Texts