Song dynasty
People's Republic of China, 960 CE–1279. Draft, not yet reviewed
The Song dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 960 to 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song, who usurped the throne of the Later Zhou dynasty. The Southern Song (1127-1279) comprised the period following the loss of control over the northern half of Song territory to the Jurchen-led Jin dynasty. Kublai Khan's armies conquered the Song dynasty in 1279 after defeating the Southern Song in the Battle of Yamen.
Seat of power: Bianliang
Rulers
Emperor Taizu of Song
Emperor of China, 960 CE–976 CE
Emperor Taizu was the founding emperor of the Song dynasty of China. Formerly a distinguished military general of the Later Zhou dynasty, Emperor Taizu came to power after staging a coup d'état and forcing Emperor Gong, the last Later Zhou ruler, to abdicate the throne in his favor. To strengthen his control, he lessened the power of military generals and relied on civilian officials in administration.
Portrait of Emperor Taizu of Song: AnonymousUnknown author, Public domain, file
Zhao Fu
Emperor of China, 1129–1129
Zhao Fu was the only son of Emperor Gaozong of Song and died at the age of two. Zhao Fu was merely a figure head as Miao, Liu, and the regent the former Empress Meng were the real power behind the throne. Zhao Fu is not usually considered a Song emperor by traditional historians, nor was his era name recognised due to his 25-day reign.
Culture
- The Song dynasty was the first in world history to issue banknotes or true paper money and the first Chinese government to establish a permanent standing navy.
- This dynasty saw the first surviving records of the chemical formula for gunpowder, the invention of gunpowder weapons such as fire arrows, bombs, and the fire lance.
- The spread of literature and knowledge was enhanced by the rapid expansion of woodblock printing and the 11th-century invention of movable type printing.
Picture
Along the River During the Qingming Festival, a handscroll painting by the Song dynasty painter Zhang Zeduan, captures daily life in the capital, Bianjing (present-day Kaifeng).
Image: Zhang Zeduan, Public domain, file
Sources
Text adapted from the Wikipedia articles listed as sources, CC BY-SA 4.0.