Chinese Events that Influenced Literature Timeline

Shang Dynasty

1700 BCE

The Shang Dynasty was the first dynasty for which there is historical record and archaeological evidence. Archaeological objects were found of hieroglyphic writing on things such as bronze and even bones.

Ming Dynasty

1368 BCE

Isolationist was put into place and ensued during the Ming Dynasty. Traveling and discovery was popular and interesting, novels were the era’s main contribution.

Yuan Dynasty

1279 BCE

Novels in the Yuan Dynasty were another outstanding achievement of the era. The novelists influenced the future development of the genre. "Water Margin" and "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms" are still widely read now and are generally considered two of the four greatest novels in Chinese literature

Zhou Dynasty

1045 BCE

The works of philosophy and religion were popular during the Zhou Dynasty's reign. Such pieces of literature became the basis for Chinese religious such as Taoism, Confucianism and other prominent religions.

Song Dynasty

960 BCE

During the Tang Dynasty's rule the movable type was invented and made writing more simple and convenient. This helped to spread knowledge since printed material could be published more quickly and cheaply. Travel literature in which authors wrote about their trips and destinations became popular as well. The Confucian Classics were used as test material for the entrance exams into the bureaucracy, advanced scientific texts and atlases were published, and important poems were written.

Tang Dynasty

618 BCE

The Tang Dynasty brought poetry into a new light for Chinese literature. These poems reflected the hard realities of war, dying people living next to rich rulers, and primitive rural life. More than 1,400 of famous poems survived, and are still read and appreciated by modern Chinese people.

Qin Dynasty

221 BCE

The first emperor was the Qin emperor, once he had control, he wanted to keep it. He abolished literature that involved philosophical and religious teachings .The Emperor ordered the destruction of most books all over the empire, even killed those found disobeying him. However, he did allow books on scientific subjects like medicine or agriculture to survive.

Han Dynasty

206 BCE

The Han Dynasty brought Confucianism back to everyday life. Confucian texts were rewritten and republished and available to the people.The era’s major contributions were historical texts and scientific works. Historical Records were wrote which examined major events that occurred from before the Shang Dynasty until the Han Dynasty.