Description
Sundays, 11am-12:30 pm EDT
Course Description:
Step into China’s golden period with Ancient Imperial China, a 6-session online course that brings to life one of the most transformative periods in Chinese history. Spanning over a thousand years, this course covers the political upheavals, cultural revolutions, and enduring legacies of dynasties that shaped the heart and soul of China. From the early days of the mighty Han to the golden age of the Tang, you’ll discover how these eras forged the foundations of Chinese civilization, philosophy, and governance.
In each session, you’ll uncover the power struggles, cultural achievements, and philosophical advancements that defined these dynasties. Whether you’re fascinated by ancient history or new to the subject, this course offers an in-depth, engaging, and immersive experience. Through interactive lectures, primary source analyses, and expert commentary, you’ll come away with a profound understanding of how ancient China’s dynastic cycles influenced its history—and how its legacy still resonates today.
Course Structure:
Session 1: The Western Han Dynasty—China’s Golden Age We begin with the Western Han Dynasty (206 BCE–9 CE), often considered one of China’s golden ages. This session explores how the Han solidified imperial power after the fall of the Qin, expanded trade along the Silk Road, and fostered the rise of Confucianism as state philosophy. Learn how the Han’s powerful emperors, such as Emperor Wu, transformed China into a vast empire through diplomacy, war, and innovative reforms that lasted for centuries.
Session 2: The Eastern Han Dynasty—The Rise of the Eunuchs and Rebellion The Eastern Han Dynasty (25–220 CE) saw both incredible achievements and internal strife. In this session, you’ll explore the recovery of Han power after the brief interregnum, as well as the growing influence of court eunuchs and the devastating Yellow Turban Rebellion. This was a time of breakthroughs in science and technology, but also a prelude to chaos, as the dynasty’s internal struggles led to its collapse and set the stage for the Three Kingdoms period.
Session 3: The Three Kingdoms and the Jin Dynasty—An Era of Heroes The fall of the Han paved the way for the legendary Three Kingdoms period (220–280 CE), immortalized in Chinese literature and folklore. In this session, we’ll dive into the epic battles and warlords that fought for control of China during this fragmented and war-torn period. You’ll meet famous figures like Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan, and explore the eventual reunification under the Jin Dynasty, which would bring a brief but fragile peace.
Session 4: The Northern and Southern Dynasties—Division and Cultural Flourishing In this session, you’ll explore the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420–589 CE), a time of division and warfare, but also incredible cultural and religious developments. Despite the political fragmentation, this period saw the spread of Buddhism, advancements in art and literature, and the flourishing of Chinese culture across the fractured states. You’ll see how China’s regional differences laid the groundwork for future dynasties.
Session 5: The Sui and Early Tang Dynasty—Reunification and Renewal The Sui Dynasty (581–618 CE) reunified China after centuries of division, but it was short-lived. However, the early Tang Dynasty (618–690 CE) would usher in one of the most prosperous and influential eras in Chinese history. In this session, we’ll explore the rapid reunification under the Sui and the early brilliance of Tang emperors like Taizong, who helped solidify China’s dominance both at home and abroad.
Session 6: The Later Tang Dynasty—The Golden Age and Its Fall We conclude the course with the later Tang Dynasty (705–907 CE), a time when China reached new heights in culture, trade, and military power. This session will focus on the Tang’s zenith as a global superpower, with its vibrant cosmopolitan capital of Chang’an and flourishing Silk Road connections. We’ll also explore the internal decay, rebellions, and intrigue that led to the dynasty’s eventual decline and fall.
Join the Course
Experience the rise and fall of China’s most powerful dynasties through vivid storytelling and expert insights. The Dynasties of Ancient China will take you on a thrilling journey through war, innovation, philosophy, and culture, giving you the tools to understand not only the past but how it still shapes China today. Whether you’re a history lover or looking to dive into the incredible stories of ancient China, this course will bring these dynasties to life. Sign up now and step into the grandeur of China’s ancient world!
About the Instructor
David Miano is a historian of the ancient world. He studied Ancient History at the State University of New York at Buffalo (B.A. 1999) and the University of California, San Diego (M.A. 2003; Ph.D. 2006). He has taught courses at many colleges over the last 20 years. Miano’s chief research interests are in the history of the Near East and Eastern Mediterranean in antiquity, ancient methods of time keeping, the chronology of the ancient world, the literary and intellectual history of ancient cultures, and comparative world history. He is the proprietor of the World of Antiquity YouTube channel, which has thousands of fans from around the globe. We are pleased to announce he now offers college-level talks and seminars for adult learners at Miano Academy.
Dr. Miano will be holding these classes in REAL TIME for full interaction.
To maintain quality, enrollment in these courses will be capped. So it is best to enroll earlier rather than later. SIGN UP NOW.
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