The History of China: Recent Episodes
Eric Andresen
Dorm Room History's Eric Andresen brings a new look to the history of China. A weekly show that traces China from the beginning to modern times.
The Han is finally ending, once and for all. And with that, I have told the story I set out to tell
After literally years, we have reached the penultimate episode for the Han Dynasty. The yellow turban rebellion is here, and with it, the end of the Han. Things are not as simple as they may seem, though, and what truly brings it all down is what we have spent the last 10 episodes dealing with. The Han dug a grave, but finally...they are laying in it
Rome meets China (officially), and the Eunuchs take over. That's one heck of a sentence, but the people have finally had enough. It seems they (rightfully) have decided the emperor has lost the Mandate of Heaven
Like Darth Vader finally being put into his suit, Liang Ji has reached his final form. His scheming worked, and it was continuing to work...all at the expense of honest government. Will he be stopped? Can he be stopped?
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Happy Holidays to all, but it won't be happy if you are in Liang J's way. One of the best villains we have seen so far is here. All that, and more
An Emperor named An, and one who is remembered for corruption and vice at that. Oh, and the guy that invented paper is back. Listen now for all that, and more.
Emperor He is a nice guy...that's great and all, but does that make him a competent head of state? No, no it does not. But also, Gan Ying ends up in Parthia and learns about Da Qin. Da Qin? Oh, that is what the Han called Rome.
Somethings things slip away without you realizing, and that is what is happening here to the Eastern Han. But it is not all bad, buckle up as we deal with a Godfather style takeover, meet the man behind the "Book of Han", and oh yah, Rome.
The foundation was laid, now it is time to reap those rewards. But when times are good, court dramas come back...oh, and the person who invents paper shows up. All that and more on this episode. Listen now!
On today's intro we dive into the early story of Buddhism and its early practices/beliefs, oh, and the end of Emperor Ming.
Buddhism is here...sort of. And Emperor Ming does not take kindly to people hiring warlocks to curse him.
Thank you to all of you who have listened and made the show what it is. So, without further delay, the 50th episode special!
Unification is more or less set, thus Emperor Guangwu must embark on a new challenge: actually governing. In this episode, we explore the continued genius of Emperor Guangwu (formally Liu Xiu) as he navigates these sensitive times.
On part two of our two part story, we reach the moment of the Eastern Han's creation. A story of absolute tactical and political brilliance (and so much more), buckle up for what is to come. All that, and more.
In part one of this two part story, we dive into the wild game of thrones that erupts with the fall of Wang Mang. It's one of the best stories in a while, so buckle up.
Chinese New Year Special! Listen to learn some basics about the Chinese New Year and Spring Festival, from the history, the myths, and the modern times.
Listen now!
No, not an episode about beauty trends. Instead, policy issues coupled with catastrophic natural disasters create an untenable situation for the peasant farms of the Han...I mean new Xin Dynasty (created by Wang Mang). Enter the Red Eyebrows amongst other rebel bandit groups forced into a decentralized situation as they stumble into the position of bringing down the Xin Dynasty of Wang Mang as fast as it came about. All that, and more, on this week's episode.
Before the Han Dynasty gets thrown into the tornado of problems described last episode, let's dive into a Dynasty-Wide check in. Money, policy, technology, and of course, a conspiracy so wild you won't want to miss it....even if it is doubtful at best.
The court dramas of the last few episodes are coming to an end. Emperor Yuan leaves his Emperor Cheng Arrives. You thought Henry VIII had a tough time making heirs? Oh my....you never heard of emperor Cheng...All that and more.
Want political drama? This episode is for you. Political factions fight for influence, all while the Xiongnu are made "Son-in-Law of Han". All that and More
No, that's not a garage rock band title. Emperor Xuan was faced with the rumors that Huo Guang's wife had actually been behind his Empress's death. We dive into that, another conspiracy, and the rest of Emperor Xuan's reign.
Emperor Xuan is finally emperor. But he knows a good thing when he sees it, and opts to keep Huo Guang on....but Huo Guang can't do 2 things. 1) He cannot live forever 2) He cannot actually control anyone not named "Huo Guang". This is his illustrious final chapter. All that and more.
Huo Guang shows himself to be one of the most important non-Emperors in the Han government to date. Emperor Zhao won't be here for a long time, or even a good time for that matter. A controversial incident gives us something to ponder, a new emperor is so bad unprecedented actions are required..all that and more on this week's episode.
Emperor Wu is gone and now his 8 year old son must become Emperor Zhao. But like all child emperors, a regent runs the government for him. This episode dives into the complex court drama that revolved around the regents and those around the young emperor. All that and more on this episode.
With Emperor Wu and Sima Qian both gone, this episode dives into the prolific historian himself. Furthermore, we put Buddhism on our radar and end with a look into the beginnings of standardized testing. All that and more on this week's episode.
We finally reach the end of Emperor Wu's historic and historically long reign. More conquests, more policy questions, revolts, and....a big witch hunt - literally. All that and more on this week's episode!
This episode sees the Han Supernova....rapid expansion at never before seen rates. Also, we cover in any missing pieces that happened during, just before, and after the Han-Xiongnu War.
So, this is an unnumbered episode, a treat if you will. After finishing up the main part of the Han - Xiongnu War, what better way to cram a special episode than now. The Huns.
We are back, and this episode tackles effectively the end of the Han-Xiongnu war and the Battle of Mobei. This battle is one of the most incredible military encounters we have looked at so far, so you won't want to miss it. Also....the results here will create ripples that will be felt hundreds of years later...in the Roman Empire. All that and more.
It is here, the gloves are off. The Han Dynasty and the Xiongnu are at war. This episode covers the hectic initial stage as both armies trade body blows.
In this week's episode, we cover the entirety of Emperor Jing's reign. With the Rebellion of the Seven States being the focal point of his reign, we listen to see if he can indeed keep the Han on track....and also....it is finally here.....the Han-Xiongnu War...
Emperor Wen ruled longer than all the previous Han Emperors combined. In this episode, we look at the back half of his long and prosperous reign and into the beginning of his son's. Rouge brothers, Xiongnu incursions, and fraudulent clerics show us the challenges Emperor Wen would indeed face. As for his son, well he is about to have seven states rebel. All that and more in this week's episode!
We all know by now that the Han has not been off to the hottest of starts. However, in 180 BC, a new emperor looks to change that. Through Confucian and Taoist doctrines, Emperor Wen of Han brings some much needed stability to the dynasty, and in turn, creates the foundation that all later emperors of the Han would use to continue its prosperity.
The problems for the Han Dynasty were already piling up when Emperor Gao died in 195 BC. However, proceeding his death, his wife - Empress Dowager Lü - threw everything out of whack. For nearly 20 years, Empress Dowager Lü ruled the Han as a regent through endless killing and torture. It truly is the Empress Lü Horror Show.
The wait is over, as the Xiongnu finally strike back. And boy did they ever strike back.....This week we cover the Xiongnu, the Han dynasty's disastrous response, and the later death of Emperor Gao.
To understand all of the issues the Han would face, we must understand China and the Han Dynasty at a societal level. Confucianism is ushered back in, but what were the social classes? What was life like? How was the military comprised? Find out the answers to those questions and more on this weeks episode.
As fast as it came about, the Qin Dynasty collapsed. What would replace it was not clear at the time, so on this episode, listen as we dive into the death throes of the Qin and the ascension of the Han. Back stabbing court officials, massive battles, and political intrigue are on full display as the new dynasty comes to the forefront of history.
Qin Shi Huang Di has a lot to do. He is going to send troops to conquer more land, this time to the South. He was going to try and standardize thought, and he was going to try and live forever. But in the event he couldn't live forever, he built one of the most incredible burial sites ever. His tomb would be guarded by over 8,000 Terracotta soldiers, though this tomb was thought to be another gross ancient chronicle exaggeration. That is, until 1974....Listen to now to hear it all and more!
The Qin Dynasty is here. Though, just because you beat everyone in combat doesn't mean you are automatically a unified dynasty. Standardization across the realm needs to happen, and nomads to the north have to be dealt with. All that and more on this week's episode of "The History of China".
We have made it to Qin Shi Huang Di, the man who is credited with unifying all of China and ushering in the first imperial dynasty - The Qin Dynasty.
Everything we have built up towards is coming to a head. The Qi are about to fall out of the race, leaving just the Qin. And by the end of it all, Qin Shi Huang Di is crowned king of the Qin state...All that and more on this week's episode of "The History of China"
The First Vertical Alliance may have failed, but plans to stop the Qin don't die just yet. Can the Qi State brings itself back to the top dog spot? All that and more on this week's episode.
The First Vertical Alliance, a cabal of six powerful warring states joined together by Su Qin, look to stop the Qin. The Qin are in a 1 v. 6, but can they prevail? All that and more on this week's episode of The History of China.
While this episode could be equally be called "The Warring States Period Pt. V", this episode dives in head first into the rise of the Qin State. Shang Yang is about to revamp the whole state with his Legalist codes.
The way the Wei got out of the way.......
This week, we dive into the conflicts initiated by King Hui of Wei and watch as Sun Bin, the great great great grandson of Sun Tzu (The Art of War), brings the Qi state to a whole new level.
War in afoot. The Three Jin's peaceful equilibrium of power is broken. Elsewhere, the Qi state rises to near unstoppable power. We know the philosophies, we know the foundations, now we just watch as they play out in incredible violence and political intrigue.
...The Hundred Schools....
It is time to look at some of the preeminent philosophies of the Warring States Period (A.k.a. Hundred Schools Period). Taoism/Daoism, Confucianism, and Legalism will all be delved into in this week's episode!
....In the Beginning.
The partition of Jin and the start of the Warring States!
No one really knows what the specific starting point of the Warring States Period was. 475 BC? 453 BC? 403 BC? There is no one single consensus. But it is generally agreed upon that the partition of Jin marks the beginning of the Warring States period.
The Wu state is hitting its high water mark, but now what? The Eastern Zhou court is irrelevant, so it is up to the states to dictate to future of China. But again, there is a new kid on the block in the form of the Yue state.
The Eastern Zhou continues to become a shell of the Western Zhou's long lost authority. Now, even the Hegemon position is becoming irrelevant. And even the inner working of the individual states are falling apart, as Dukes become puppets for Noble families. But a new kid on the block, the Wu State, shakes things up and births Sun Tzu (The Art of War).
The Zhou lives on....sort of. The vassal states now begin to see how far they can push things, so the Zhou implement a new system: The Hegemon system, to try and keep things under control in the short term. Does this work in the long term? Well, if you are the king a strong vassal state, yes.
After hitting their zenith, it seems like it is all down hill for the Western Zhou Dynasty. A string of blunder over nearly 200 years finally catch up with King You and the Western Zhou. The end is nye for the Western Zhou.
The Western Zhou is approaching its zenith. But as with all good things, they are not forever. This week, we dive into the middle years of the Western Zhou Dynasty and all the fun and conflict it saw.
The Zhou Dynasty begins....then immediately faces its demise just three years into it all. But the Duke of Zhou comes to the rescue
The Shang Dynasty succumbs to the same issues that the preceding dynasty did. But what does that entail? What now? Listen to this weeks episode to find out!
The Shang were incredibly spiritual, but just how spiritual? They sacrificed and they conquered, all of which is covered in this weeks episode of "The History of China"
The Xia comes to a close as Tang of Shang eyes to overthrow Emperor Jie and the Xia Dynasty.
This week, we look at the Xia Dynasty-the first Chinese dynasty. Did it exist? What happened during it? All these question are answered on this week's episode.
In the first episode, we introduce the show and then dive right in at the very start of it all, the five emperors. Listen and see how the myths bleed into the history in this week's episode