Quoted By:
I thought I'd just drop by with some discussion of Chinese history. I like to think you can divide it into fairly distinct periods, longer lasting than individual dynasties. Keep in mind that this is an unconventional periodisation, focusing more on culture than politics.
First, there are the Bronze Age dynasties, the Shang and Western Zhou. This is the formative stage of China, where writing and civilization developed under unified dynasties. This period lasts from 1500-800 BC, or 700 years.
Next, we have a period lasting from the Western Zhou to the rise of the Wei. This was a period of maturation of Chinese civilization, culminating in the great empire of the Han Dynasty. During this period Chinese society was shaped by great philosophers, and so I think of it as a Classical age. Legalism, Confucianism, and the other schools of thought that emerged under the Western Zhou fought for dominance at courts until eventually Confucianism won out. This lasts from 800 BC - 400 AD, or 1200 years.
Next comes a Buddhist period, lasting from the Wei to the end of the Tang. What separates this period from the sudden explosion of influence from abroad, especially India. Buddhism becomes dominant, and you see a huge amount of Buddhist art and architecture. It was a golden age for the arts especially under the Tang. It lasts from 400 - 900 AD, or 500 years.
Next, comes a Neo-Confucian period, lasting from the fall of the Tang to the end of the Song. Most of this period is dominated by the Song, but other dynasties also compete with them for power, like the Jin and Liao. Buddhism remained alive, but had less influence compared with the last period while Confucianism saw a revival under what modern scholars call Neo-Confucianism. This period was also a golden age for Chinese painting. This period lasts from c. 900-1300 AD, or about 400 years.
After this point it's better to just go by dynasty, as China is unified from this point onward, under the Yuan, Ming, and Qing.
