The Era Names Change and Periodization of the First Half of Tang Emperor Gao-zong (649–683 CE) Reign

Alla V. Andreeva; Андреева Алла Васильевна

doi:10.17816/Ch81804

The Era Names Change and Periodization of the First Half of Tang Emperor Gao-zong (649–683 CE) Reign

Authors: Andreeva A.V.¹
Affiliations:
1. National Research University «Higher School of Economics» (HSE University)
Issue: Vol 1, No 1 (2022)
Pages: 93-101
Section: Articles
URL: https://journals.rcsi.science/China_SC/article/view/81804
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17816/Ch81804
ID: 81804

Cite item

Full Text

Abstract

This paper compares the subjective Chinese periodization through era (reign) names of the Tang emperor Gao-zong (649–683 CE) reign to scientific model of periodization through means of analyzing change in political process. To accomplish this we explore the historical events laid out in the 4^th chapter of the Jiu Tang shu 舊唐書 (Old book of Tang) chronicle, which is one of Chinese medieval standard Histories zhengshi 正史. Our research shows that the reign names periodization is founded upon the real changes of political and historical dynamic even in cases when our primary source lists the reasons of an era name change among the purely ritual, sacral, mantic and mystical happenings, like the omens, portents and emergence of fairy creatures.

Keywords

Tang, Gao-zong, political history, Jiu Tang shu (Old book of Tang), Wu Zetian, era names, reign names, medieval China, medieval history, periodization

Full Text

##article.viewOnOriginalSite##

About the authors

Alla V. Andreeva

National Research University «Higher School of Economics» (HSE University)

Author for correspondence.
Email: alla.andreeva.95@mail.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow

References

Kravtsova ME. Nian Hao. Spiritual Culture of China: Encyclopedia. Mythology. Religion. Moscow: Vostochnaya literatura 2007, 2: 540–541. (In Russ.)
Bashkeev VV, Ulyanov MYu, Tseluyko MS. Podkhody k issledovaniyu politicheskikh protsessov v opisanii drevnei i srednevekovoi istorii Kitaya i stran Yugo-Vostochnoi Azii. In: Otgolosok proshedshego v budushchem. Moscow: Izdatelstvo PSTGU; 2012. P:47–71. (In Russ).
Martynov AS. Devizy pravlenii kitaiskikh imperatorov nian hao (Era (Reign) Names of Chinese Emperors (Nian Hao). Proceedings of the 12th science conference «Written Monuments and Problems of the History of Culture of the East». Мoscow; 1977. P:78–84. (In Russ).
Wright MC. What’s in a Reign Name: The Uses of History and Philology. The Journal of Asian Studies. 1958;18(1):103–106. doi: 10.2307/2941289
Jiu Tang Shu. Quan shi liu ce, di yi ce [The Old History of Tang]. 16 vols. Beijng; 1975;1:153–176. (In Chinese)
Rybakov VM. The T’ang Bureaucracy. Pt 1. Genesis and Structure. Saint Petersburg: Peterburgskoe vostokovedenie; 2009. 512 p. (In Russ).
Kroll YuL. On Some Problems Relating to the Study of the Phenomenon of Bureaucracy in the Traditional China). Written Monuments of the Orient. 2010;(2):146–168. (In Russ).
Bolshoi kitaisko-russkii slovar. Oshanin IM, editor. Moscow: Nauka; 1984;2:922. (In Russ).
Deopik DV. Opyt kolichestvennogo analiza drevnei vostochnoi letopisi “Chun Qiu”. In: Kovalchenko ID. Mathematic Methods in Historical, Economic and Cultural Studies. Мoscow; 1977. P:143–187. (In Russ).