Ep10 The Poetry of the Tang

Highlighting some of the amazing achievements and highlights of the Tang Dynasty, and considering its eventual decline and fall. 

The home of the Tang – the great city of Chang’an, and how it helped the Tang become so prosperous. 

Surveying the landscape of the Tang Dynasty, to discover how its artists charted the changes that they saw about them. 

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss two of China’s greatest poets, Li Bai and Du Fu, who wrote in the 8th century in the Tang Era. Li Bai (701-762AD) is known for personal poems, many of them about drinking wine, and for finding the enjoyment in life. Du Fu (712-770AD), a few years y ... Show More

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss two of China’s greatest poets, Li Bai and Du Fu, who wrote in the 8th century in the Tang Era. Li Bai (701-762AD) is known for personal poems, many of them about drinking wine, and for finding the enjoyment in life. Du Fu (712-770AD), a few years y ... Show More

<p>A discussion on the source material used for the Tang Dynasty episode, plus a brief look at what&#39;s ahead in 2024, plus some information about the challenges of writing chronological medieval history and pronouncing words in different languages that you have no knowledge of ... Show More

<p>907 - 1279 - The story of the Song Dynasty takes us from the fall of the Tang Dynasty through to the conquest of China by the Mongols. We will take a closer look at the imperial examination process, innovations in printing, and some controversial changes in national policies.< ... Show More

Greg Jenner is joined by historian Prof Tineke D’Haeseleer and comedian Evelyn Mok in medieval China to explore the Tang Dynasty. Known as the Golden Age of China, it was the time of China’s Emperor Wu, the only woman to hold power in her own right, and Emperor Xuanzong who becam ... Show More

If you loved the Song Dynasty podcast, then you’ll also enjoy ‘Why We Love the Tang Dynasty.’ Available from October. 

Our history of literature journey continues by traveling to the other side of the globe, where Chinese poets are busy recording ancient folk songs and verse that together convey a picture of life in ancient China, from peasants and farmers to soldiers and diplomats. Eventually a ... Show More

Greg Jenner is joined by historian Prof Tineke D’Haeseleer and comedian Evelyn Mok in medieval China to explore the Tang Dynasty. Known as the Golden Age of China, it was the time of China’s Emperor Wu, the only woman to hold power in her own right, and Emperor Xuanzong who becam ... Show More

During the Romantic era, poetry evolved as a cultural and ideological tradition. This short, dynamic lecture highlights the cultural and revolutionary texture of such verse.