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1700 BCE
Shang Era
One of the first recorded writings.There are archaeological finds of hieroglyphic writing on bronze wares and oracle bones. The hieroglyphic writing system later evolved into ideographic and partly-phonetic Chinese characters. -
1045 BCE
Chou Era
The great literary works of philosophy and religion that became the basis for Chinese religious and social belief stem from what is called the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476) and the Warring States Period (475-221). Taoism, Confucian literature, and other prominent religious and philosophical schools all emerged during these two periods. -
618 BCE
T'ang Era
This era’s main contribution to Chinese literature was in the poetry of Dufu, Li Bai and many other poets. Dufu and Li Bai are often thought of as China’s greatest poets. -
551 BCE
Confucious
Confucius teaches about ethical values such as honesty, loyalty and respect for elders; his disciples later record his teachings in Analects. -
500 BCE
Tao Te Ching- Shih Ching
Lao-tzu, legendary founder of Taoism, develops teachings of Tao Te Ching. The Shih Ching (book of Odes), the first anthology of Chinese poetry is compiled. -
221 BCE
Ch'in Era
the Ch'in Dynasty standardized the written Classical Language. It is said that a minister of the Qin emperor named Li Si introduced a writing system that later developed into modern Chinese writing. Standardization was meant to help control the society. The standardized writing system also helped people all over the country to communicate more clearly. -
206 BCE
Han Era
Sima Qian wrote Historical Records that is a major history concerning the overall history of China from before the Shang Dynasty until the Han Dynasty. The book’s prose was considered a model for writers in succeeding dynastic eras. -
85 BCE
Records of the Historian
Ssu-ma Ch'ien writes 'Records of the Historian' a history of china throuh Wu Ti's reign.
