Capital Cities and Urban Form in Pre-Modern China: Luoyang, 1038 BCE to 938 CE

Description

Luoyang, situated in present-day Henan province, was one of the great urban centres of pre-Qin and early imperial China, the favoured site for dynastic capitals for almost two millennia. This book, the first in any Western language on the subject, traces the rise and fall of the six different capital cities in the region which served eleven different dynasties from the Western Zhou dynasty, when the first capital city made its appearance in Luoyang, to the great Tang dynasty, when Luoyang experienced a golden age. It examines the political histories of these cities, explores continuity and change in urban form with a particular focus on city layouts and landmark buildings, and discusses the roles of religions, especially Buddhism, and illustrious city residents. Overall the book provides an accessible survey of a broad sweep of premodern Chinese urban history. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents List of Maps Introduction Notes 1. Genesis: From Luoyi to Wangcheng Western Zhou Eastern Zhou An archaeological perspective Zhou LUOYANG and early urbanism Notes 2. Eastern Han Luoyang: The Imperial capital Emperor Guangwu’s choice General layout The growth of the city The Southern and Northern Palaces Local government The cultural city Late Han power struggle and the fall of Luoyang Notes 3. Towards a national metropolis: Cao-Wei and Western Jin Luoyang Revival under the Cao-Wei The national metropolis under the Western Jin The cultural milieu 311: The sack of Luoyang Notes 4. Rebirth and destruction: Northern Wei Luoyang Luoyang after 311 Rebirth of Luoyang Design and structure of Northern Wei Luoyang The palace, Jinyong Castle, and royal parks The government quarter Population and residential wards Cultural and religious Decline and fall Notes 5. The Sui eastern capital The building of Sui Luoyang The Palace City and Imperial City The Western Park Suburban ritual centers Markets Residential wards Ward residents Literature and religion Luoyang in the last years of the Sui Notes 6. Tang Luoyang I: A historical perspective Path to divinity High-Tang Luoyang The An Lushan Rebellion After the rebellion Post-Tang Luoyang Notes 7. Tang Luoyang II: Physical characteristics The palaces and the Western Park Wards and markets Ritual centers Monasteries Notes Appendix to Chapter 7: Controversial Tang Luoyang ward names Notes 8. Tang Luoyang III: The inhabitants Population and ordinary residents Royals Officials Scholars and artists Eminent monks Foreigners Notes 9. Epilogue Notes Glossary Bibliography Index