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SUMMARY:The Tang dynasty and its place in the grand narrative of Chinese h
 istory - Prof. D.L. McMullen (Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies\
 , University of Cambridge)
DTSTART:20091121T160000Z
DTEND:20091121T170000Z
UID:TALK21350@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Dr Frank Wang
DESCRIPTION:The aim of the talk would be to describe the traditional image
  of the Tang dynasty (618-907 C.E.)as politically and militarily the most 
 powerful and successful of China's great dynasties and as a culturally bri
 lliant epoch\, contrasting with the 'Dark Ages' in Europe. I would charact
 erize the main features of the political system and relative openness of T
 ang religion and culture. But I woulds also suggest that in fact Tang mili
 tary power was only episodically successful\, was limited\,as in its attem
 pts to invade Korea\, and was not necessarily either permanent or preemine
 nt in Central Asia. I would point out that the Tang period was never renow
 ned for its philosophy. I would ask whether in fact the Tang achievements 
 may lie elsewhere\, in law and institutions\, art and literature and in a 
 rather specific contribution to the ideology of service to the dynastic st
 ate. 
LOCATION:Bateman Auditorium \, Gonville and Caius College
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