China has more than three thousand years of recorded history, but misconceptions abound at every stage. Historian Justin Jacobs takes you on a thematic tour of four important topics in ancient Chinese history: relations with nomads, sacred mountains, the civil service exams, and the maritime voyages of Zheng He. Each lecture includes a rich, nuanced overview based on the latest scholarship and illustrated with copious slides.
Justin M. Jacobs, professor of Chinese history at American University, is the author of several books, including the forthcoming Plunder? How Museums Got Their Treasures.
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Sacred Mountains of China
There are many notable mountains in China, some of which can tell us a great deal about Chinese civilization. This virtual tour visits two of the most famous sacred mountains in Chinese history: Mount Tai and Mount Emei. Emperors and imperial officials imprinted their legacy on the Confucian landscape of Mount Tai for more than two millennia; many Buddhist pilgrims have braved the misty slopes of Mount Emei in search of spiritual enlightenment.
Additional Sessions of Ancient China Series
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