The Cambridge History of China: Volume 2, The Six Dynasties, 220–589

Offers the most comprehensive English-language treatment of China's Six Dynasties period (220–589 CE), covering political, artistic, social, and intellectual developments.

Albert E. Dien (Edited by), Keith N. Knapp (Edited by)

9781107020771, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 7 November 2019

960 pages, 58 b/w illus. 9 maps
23.5 x 16 x 5.2 cm, 1.44 kg

'In sum, this volume is not just an historical account of the Six Dynasties, but also a veritable encyclopedia of Early Medieval China, come to fruition through a long-standing pursuit to better understand this immensely formative period of Chinese history-a period, which has been long neglected or marginalized by scholars subscribing to the teleological construct of China.' Helwig Schmidt-Glintzer, Monumenta Serica

The Six Dynasties Period (220–589 CE) is one of the most complex in Chinese history. Written by leading scholars from across the globe, the essays in this volume cover nearly every aspect of the period, including politics, foreign relations, warfare, agriculture, gender, art, philosophy, material culture, local society, and music. While acknowledging the era's political chaos, these essays indicate that this was a transformative period when Chinese culture was significantly changed and enriched by foreign peoples and ideas. It was also a time when history and literature became recognized as independent subjects and religion was transformed by the domestication of Buddhism and the formation of organized Daoism. Many of the trends that shaped the rest of imperial China's history have their origins in this era, such as the commercial vibrancy of southern China, the separation of history and literature from classical studies, and the growing importance of women in politics and religion.

Introduction
Part I. History: 1. Wei Rafe de Crespigny
2. Wu Rafe de Crespigny
3. Shu-Han J. Michael Farmer
4. Western Jin Damien Chaussende
5. Eastern Jin Charles Holcombe
6. The Sixteen Kingdoms Charles Holcombe
7. Cheng-Han State Terry F. Kleeman
8. Northern Wei Scott Pearce
9. Eastern Wei-Northern Qi Albert E. Dien
10. Western Wei-Northern Zhou Albert E. Dien
11. The Southern dynasties Andrew Chittick
Part II. Society and Realia: 12. The art of war David A. Graff
13. Foreign relations Charles Holcombe
14. The Northern economy Victor Cunrui Xiong
15. The Southern economy Liu Shufen
16. Agriculture Francesca Bray
17. The history of Sogdians in China Rong Xinjiang
18. Northern material culture Shing Müller
19. Southern material culture Annette Kieser
20. Women, families, and gendered society Jen-der Lee
21. Local society Hou Xudong
Part III. Culture, Religion and Art: 22. Confucian learning and influence Keith N. Knapp
23. Qingtan and Xuanxue Y. K. Lo
24. Buddhism John Kieschnick
25. Daoism Stephen R. Bokenkamp
26. Popular religion Robert Ford Campany
27. The world of prose literature Antje Richter
28. The world of poetry Cynthia Chennault
29. Art and visual culture Wu Hung
30. Music Bo Lawergren
Abbreviations of frequently cited primary sources
Bibliography
Glossary-index.

Subject Areas: Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA], Asian history [HBJF], General & world history [HBG]