logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2022
28m 34s

The Tang Dynasty (Radio Edit)

Bbc Radio 4
About this episode

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 became so bored with austerity he came up with a unique way to have fun.

For the full-length verion of this episode, please look further back in the feed.

Up next
Yesterday
Medieval Saints: miracles, relics and pilgrimage
Greg Jenner is joined in medieval Europe by historian Dr Simon Yarrow and comedian Rachel Parris to learn all about the cult of saints and their relics. The veneration of saints still plays an important role in the lives of Catholics all over the world, but what did the cult of s ... Show More
56m 11s
Jul 31
Francis Galton: Victorian scientist and pioneer of eugenics
Greg Jenner is joined in Victorian England by historian and curator Subhadra Das and comedian Desiree Burch to learn all about the life of scientist and eugenics pioneer Francis Galton. He was many things: a Victorian gentleman scientist, an inventor of whacky devices, a pioneer ... Show More
59m 3s
Jul 24
The Iliad and Odyssey: heroic epics from ancient Greece
Greg Jenner is joined in ancient Greece by historian Dr Emily Hauser and comedian and actor Kiell Smith-Bynoe to learn about the epic poems the Iliad and Odyssey. Traditionally attributed to the poet Homer, these works tell parts of a legend that has fascinated us for centuries: ... Show More
59m 1s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2024
181. The Dragon Empress: China’s Game of Thrones
The inculcation of Buddhism from India as the state religion in China was enabled by the violent rise of China’s only ever woman Emperor. Raised by pious Buddhist parents, Wu Zetian left a trail of bodies in her wake as she charted a path to absolute power. From a lowly ranked co ... Show More
34m 14s
Jul 2020
The First Emperor of China
Join host Greg Jenner and travel back over 2,000 years to meet the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huangdi. Learn all about the discovery of his world famous Terracotta Army, the fierce lengths he went to in order to unify China and why he was so fixated on discovering the secret ... Show More
16m 5s
Feb 2021
20. China
Broadcaster and historian Michael Wood joins Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook to discuss the world’s oldest civilisation. What were the great moments in Chinese history and why do the Opium Wars still feature so prominently in the modern Chinese school syllabus? The birth of the ... Show More
58m 52s
Nov 2020
Ep10 The Poetry of the Tang
Introducing the poetry of the Tang, and discovering how it evolved over the three hundred year life of the Dynasty. 
13 m
Apr 2018
Chinese Characters
The history of China, as told through 20 lives. This time: The Female Emperor. 
16m 42s
Jan 2024
China: Tang Dynasty (debrief)
<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
18m 8s
Nov 2022
266: South Korea: The Riddle of Hwang Jini
Join Tom and Dominic on their journey to the 16th century Korean peninsula, as they discuss Hwang Jini - a gisaeng, poet, and entertainer - and her everlasting impact on Korean culture. Dubbed by Tom the 'poetic Emma Hamilton', the story of Hwang Jini takes us through Diamond Mou ... Show More
28m 20s
Jan 2014
#11 - Special: Gong Xi Fa Cai!
This Episode, we take a time-out from the historical flow to take advantage of the upcoming Chinese New Year festivities. We explore the history, legends, customs, and meaning behind this ancient and storied period of celebration. Happy Year of the Yang Wood Horse! Learn more abo ... Show More
36m 56s
Jun 2022
Tang Era Poetry
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
46m 37s