Ancient Chinese Culture: Basic Facts & Terms

  • Ban Zhao

    Ban Zhao (c. 49–c. 120 CE) was a distinguished historian and writer of the Eastern Han dynasty. Also known by her given name Ji, with the courtesy name Huiban, she was a native of Anling, Fufeng Commandery (in present-day northeastern Xianyang, Shaanxi).

  • Ban Gu

    Ban Gu (32–92 CE) was a renowned historian and literary scholar of the Eastern Han dynasty. His courtesy name was Mengjian, and he was a native of Anling, Fufeng Commandery (in present-day northeastern Xianyang, Shaanxi).

  • Huang Chao

    Huang Chao (?–884 CE) was the leader of a major peasant rebellion at the end of the Tang dynasty. He was a native of Yuanju, Caozhou (in present-day northwestern Cao County, Shandong) and originally worked as a smuggler of salt – a highly profitable but illegal trade under Tang monopoly laws.

  • Emperor

    The supreme sovereign who rules “All Under Heaven”. In China, the title “Emperor” (Huangdi) was first adopted by Ying Zheng, King of Qin, following the unification of China in 221 BCE and the establishment of the Qin dynasty.

  • Huan Wen’s Northern Expeditions

    A series of three military campaigns launched by Huan Wen, a powerful general and de facto ruler of the Eastern Jin dynasty, between 354 and 369 CE, aimed at recovering the Central Plains from non-Han regimes that had occupied northern China after the collapse of Western Jin.

  • Xie Lingyun

    Xie Lingyun (385–433 CE) was a celebrated poet of the Liu Song dynasty during the Southern Dynasties period. Born in Yangxia, Chen Commandery (modern-day Taikang, Henan), his family had long resided in Kuaiji (centered on present-day Shaoxing, Zhejiang).

  • Xie Xuan

    Xie Xuan (343–388 CE), courtesy name Youdu, was a native of Yangxia, Chen Commandery (modern-day Taikang, Henan). He was the nephew of the eminent statesman Xie An.

  • Xie An

    Xie An (320–385 CE) was a prominent statesman of the Eastern Jin dynasty. His courtesy name was Anshi, and he was a native of Yangxia, Chen Commandery (modern-day Taikang, Henan).

  • Sun Wu

    Sun Wu, or Sun Tzu, (fl. late 6th century BCE), a renowned military strategist of the late Spring and Autumn period, is regarded as the founder of the Chinese “School of Military Thought” and revered by later generations as “Sunzi” (“Master Sun”). His courtesy name was Changqing, and he was a native of the…