Understanding Imperial China: Dynasties, Life, and Culture

Examining opium, a pervasive symbol of late imperial China; the history of opium use; how opium is inextricably linked to imperial culture, society and economics; the British opium trade; the Opium Wars; Chinese measures to eradicate the drug.

The story behind the famous terra cotta warriors; daily life in the Qin Dynasty; encountering Emperor Qinshi Huangdi; his highly bureaucratic and technocratic regime; exploring the site of the terra cotta army; how the clay figures are made.

Entering the lives of the Han nobility through their tombs and artifacts; taking account of the Han golden age, during which essential imperial institutions are established and territories are expanded; the rise of a new and powerful scholarly elite.

Three siblings stand out in China's imperial history; looking at Ban Gu, Ban Chao and Ban Zhao; Ban Gu's life of learning; his writings on history and governmental policy; Ban Chao's military career; Ban Zhao's impact as a scholar, teacher and poet.

Buddhism and Daoism play integral roles in the culture of imperial China; the origins of Chinese Buddhism; the monastic life in China; the historic travels of the Buddhist monk Faxian; the emergence of Daoism; its traditions; Tao Yuanming's works.

The golden age of Chang'an; uncovering its structure, grand boulevards and architecture; the city's diverse population; districts, parks and pleasure quarters; Chang'an's Eastern and Western markets; the factors in the city's ultimate undoing.