Chinese Events that Influenced Literature Timeline

1700 BCE, Shang Dynasty

1700 BCE

The first dynasty for which there is historical record and archaeological evidence is the Shang Dynasty. Archaeological objects were found of hieroglyphic writing on things such as bronze and even bones. The hieroglyphic writing system later evolved into ideographic and partly-phonetic Chinese characters.

1368 BCE, Ming Dynasty

1368 BCE

The Chinese rebelled against the Mongols, and the Ming Dynasty era began about 1368.Traveling and discovery was popular and interesting, novels were the era’s main contribution.

1279 BEC, Yuan Dynasty

1279 BCE

Novels in the Yuan Dynasty were another outstanding achievement of the era. 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.

1045 BEC, Zhou Dynasty

1045 BCE

The works of philosophy and religion were popular during the Zhou Dynasty's reign.In Chinese history, the dominant rulers generally squelch or discourage philosophical expression that contradict their own, so when there were several small powers, different schools of thought could survive in the land at the same time.

960 BEC, Song Dynasty

960 BCE

It was weaker than the Tang Dynasty, but the imperial government officials made remarkable scientific and technical advances. During the Tang Dynasty's rule the movable type was invented and made writing more simple and convenient.

618 BCE, Tang Dynasty

618 BCE

221 BCE, Qin Dynasty

221 BCE

The Qin Dynasty had big armies and conquered the others.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.

206 BEC, Han Dynasty

206 BCE

The Han Dynasty era lasted for 400 years. Historical Records were wrote which examined major events that occurred from before the Shang Dynasty until the Han Dynasty.