Home Region:  North China (East Asia)

Tang Dynasty I

617 CE 763 CE
EQ 2020  cn_tang_dyn_1 / CnTangE
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581 CE 618 CE Sui Dynasty (cn_sui_dyn)    [continuity]

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  General Description  
The Tang Dynasty is widely considered a cultural and political high point of imperial China. The dynasty was founded by Li Yuan, the Duke of Tang, when the threat of insurrection forced the previous Sui dynasty court to flee from Luoyang, the capital, to Yangzhou. Li Yuan marched to Luoyang and seized the abandoned capital in 618 CE. [1] He became the first emperor of the Tang dynasty (r. 618-626 CE) and is posthumously known as Gaozu. Under the Early Tang Dynasty, the capital was moved from Chang’an to Luoyang. [2] We divide the Dynasty into an Early period (618-763 CE) and Late period (763-907 CE), separated by the decline in imperial authority and instability of experienced by the Tang in the 750s, culminating in the An Lushan rebellion to close out the Early period (755‒763 CE).
Under Early Tang leadership, China’s territory expanded considerably. Conquered territories included large areas of Central Asia and northern Korea (Koguryō). [3] In later years, however, China pursued a defensive, non-expansionist policy towards groups on the steppe and frontier. [4]
The dynasty, also known as the Tang (T’ang) Empire or Li Dynasty, is famous for its poetry, literature, increased trade and general cosmopolitanism. [5] In 660 CE, Empress Wu became the first woman to rule China, first governing as a regent to her young son and later ruling as empress dowager and regent until her death in 705 CE. [6] Emperor Xuanzong’s 44-year reign (712‒756 CE) ushered in a cultural and economic golden age, which declined as he aged and ended in rebellion and an overthrow of the dynasty. [7]
Population and political organization
Emperor Gaozu worked to restore control of the imperial government that had been established by the Sui Dynasty, and founded frontier garrisons controlled directly by the capital. [8] The Tang instituted the much discussed ’equal fields’ system, in which land owned by the state was parcelled out in equal allotments to citizens in return for taxation. The Tang also minted many new coins in an attempt to stabilize the economy. [8]
The Early Tang imperial government was characterized by an emperor who theoretically had absolute power, but was often in practice overruled by ministers or regents. [9] The central government was headed by three chief ministers who ran the Imperial Chancellery, Imperial Secretariat, and the Department for State Affairs. [9] The government also included a large central and state bureaucracy, marked by the expanding use of merit examinations. [10]
The population of the Early Tang Dynasty is estimated at 37 million in 700 CE and increased to almost 53 million by 754 CE. [11] In the 8th century, there were an estimated 1 million people living in Chang’an. [12]

[1]: (Benn 2002, 1) Charles Benn. 2002. China’s Golden Age: Everyday Life in the Tang Dynasty. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

[2]: (Lewis 2009, 37) Mark Edward Lewis. 2009. China’s Cosmopolitan Empire: The Tang Dynasty. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

[3]: (Benn 2002, 2) Charles Benn. 2002. China’s Golden Age: Everyday Life in the Tang Dynasty. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

[4]: (Benn 2002, 8) Charles Benn. 2002. China’s Golden Age: Everyday Life in the Tang Dynasty. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

[5]: (Lewis 2009, 1) Mark Edward Lewis. 2009. China’s Cosmopolitan Empire: The Tang Dynasty. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

[6]: (Lewis 2009, 4-7) Mark Edward Lewis. 2009. China’s Cosmopolitan Empire: The Tang Dynasty. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

[7]: (Benn 2002, 8-10) Charles Benn. 2002. China’s Golden Age: Everyday Life in the Tang Dynasty. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

[8]: (Benn 2002, 3) Charles Benn. 2002. China’s Golden Age: Everyday Life in the Tang Dynasty. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

[9]: (Rodzinski 1979, 118) Witold Rodzinski. 1979. A History of China, Volume 1. Oxford: Pergamon Press.

[10]: (Roberts 1996, 94) J. A. G. Roberts. 1996. A History of China, Volume 1: Prehistory to c. 1800. Phoenix Mill: Alan Sutton Publishing.

[11]: (Rodzinski 1979, 129) Witold Rodzinski. 1979. A History of China, Volume 1. Oxford: Pergamon Press.

[12]: (Roberts 1996, 106) J. A. G. Roberts. 1996. A History of China, Volume 1: Prehistory to c. 1800. Phoenix Mill: Alan Sutton Publishing.

Economy Variables (Luxury Goods) Coding in Progress.
Religion Variables Coding in Progress.

NGA Settlements:

Year Range Tang Dynasty I (cn_tang_dyn_1) was in:
 (618 CE 762 CE) Middle Yellow River Valley
Home NGA: Middle Yellow River Valley

General Variables
Identity and Location Tang Dynasty I (cn_tang_dyn_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Utm Zone 50 S Expert 617 CE  763 CE
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Original Name Tang Dynasty I Expert 617 CE  763 CE
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Capital 617 CE  763 CE
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Alternative Name 617 CE  763 CE
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Alternative Name 617 CE  763 CE
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Temporal Bounds Tang Dynasty I (cn_tang_dyn_1)
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Peak Years
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Duration
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Political and Cultural Relations Tang Dynasty I (cn_tang_dyn_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Suprapolity Relations none Expert 617 CE  763 CE
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Suprapolity Relations mn_turk_khaganate_2 alliance with cn_tang_dyn_1 682 CE  744 CE
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Supracultural Entity China Expert 617 CE  763 CE
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Succeeding Entity Later Tang Dynasty Expert 617 CE  763 CE
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Scale of Supracultural Interaction 617 CE  763 CE
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Relationship to Preceding Entity continuity Expert 617 CE  763 CE
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Preceding Entity
581 CE 618 CE
Sui Dynasty (cn_sui_dyn)   [continuity]  Expert
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Degree of Centralization 617 CE  763 CE
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Language Tang Dynasty I (cn_tang_dyn_1)
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Linguistic Family Sino-Tibetan Expert 617 CE  763 CE
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Language Chinese Expert 617 CE  763 CE
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Religion Tang Dynasty I (cn_tang_dyn_1)
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Religion Genus Chinese State Religion Expert 617 CE  763 CE
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Religion Family Imperial Confucian Traditions Expert 617 CE  763 CE
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Alternate Religion Genus Buddhism Expert 617 CE  763 CE
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Alternate Religion Family Chinese Buddhist Traditions Expert 617 CE  763 CE
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Social Complexity Variables
Social Scale Tang Dynasty I (cn_tang_dyn_1)
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Population of the Largest Settlement 700 CE 763 CE
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Polity Territory 620 CE
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Polity Territory 630 CE
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Polity Territory 640 CE
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Polity Territory 650 CE
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Polity Territory 660 CE
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Polity Territory 670 CE
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Polity Territory 680 CE
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Polity Territory 690 CE
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Polity Territory 700 CE
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Polity Territory 710 CE
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Polity Territory 720 CE
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Polity Territory 730 CE
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Polity Territory 740 CE
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Polity Territory 750 CE
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Polity Territory 760 CE
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Polity Population 700 CE
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Polity Population 705 CE
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Polity Population 726 CE
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Polity Population 740 CE
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Polity Population 754 CE
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Hierarchical Complexity Tang Dynasty I (cn_tang_dyn_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Settlement Hierarchy 617 CE  763 CE
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Religious Level 617 CE  763 CE
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Military Level 617 CE  763 CE
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Administrative Level 617 CE  763 CE
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Professions Tang Dynasty I (cn_tang_dyn_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Professional Soldier 617 CE 737 CE
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Professional Soldier 737 CE 763 CE
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Professional Priesthood 617 CE  763 CE
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Professional Military Officer 617 CE  763 CE
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Occupational Complexity 617 CE  763 CE
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Bureaucracy Characteristics Tang Dynasty I (cn_tang_dyn_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Specialized Government Building 617 CE  763 CE
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Merit Promotion 617 CE  763 CE
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Full Time Bureaucrat 617 CE  763 CE
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Examination System 617 CE  763 CE
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Law Tang Dynasty I (cn_tang_dyn_1)
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Professional Lawyer 617 CE  763 CE
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Judge 617 CE  763 CE
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617 CE  763 CE
Court 617 CE  763 CE
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Specialized Buildings: polity owned Tang Dynasty I (cn_tang_dyn_1)
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Market Present Inferred 617 CE  763 CE
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Irrigation System 617 CE  763 CE
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Food Storage Site 617 CE  763 CE
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Drinking Water Supply System 617 CE  763 CE
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Transport Infrastructure Tang Dynasty I (cn_tang_dyn_1)
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Road 617 CE  763 CE
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Port 617 CE  763 CE
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Canal 617 CE  763 CE
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Bridge Present Inferred 617 CE  763 CE
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Special-purpose Sites Tang Dynasty I (cn_tang_dyn_1)
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Mines or Quarry Present 617 CE  763 CE
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Information / Writing System Tang Dynasty I (cn_tang_dyn_1)
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Written Record Present 617 CE  763 CE
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Script 617 CE  763 CE
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Phonetic Alphabetic Writing 617 CE  763 CE
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Nonwritten Record Present 617 CE  763 CE
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Non Phonetic Writing 617 CE  763 CE
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Mnemonic Device 617 CE  763 CE
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Information / Kinds of Written Documents Tang Dynasty I (cn_tang_dyn_1)
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Scientific Literature 617 CE  763 CE
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Sacred Text 617 CE  763 CE
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Religious Literature 617 CE  763 CE
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Practical Literature 617 CE  763 CE
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Philosophy Present Inferred 617 CE  763 CE
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Lists Tables and Classification 617 CE  763 CE
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History 617 CE  763 CE
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Fiction 617 CE  763 CE
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Calendar 617 CE  763 CE
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Information / Money Tang Dynasty I (cn_tang_dyn_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Token 617 CE  763 CE
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Precious Metal 617 CE  763 CE
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Paper Currency 617 CE  763 CE
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Indigenous Coin 617 CE  763 CE
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Foreign Coin 617 CE  763 CE
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Article 617 CE  763 CE
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Information / Postal System Tang Dynasty I (cn_tang_dyn_1)
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Postal Station 617 CE  763 CE
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General Postal Service 617 CE  763 CE
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Courier 617 CE  763 CE
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Information / Measurement System Tang Dynasty I (cn_tang_dyn_1)
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Warfare Variables (Military Technologies)
Fortifications Tang Dynasty I (cn_tang_dyn_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Wooden Palisade 617 CE  763 CE
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Stone Walls Non Mortared 617 CE  763 CE
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Stone Walls Mortared 617 CE  763 CE
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Settlements in a Defensive Position 617 CE  763 CE
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Modern Fortification Absent 617 CE  763 CE
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Moat 617 CE  763 CE
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Fortified Camp 617 CE  763 CE
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Earth Rampart 617 CE  763 CE
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Ditch 617 CE  763 CE
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Complex Fortification 617 CE  763 CE
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Long Wall 48 km 617 CE  763 CE
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Military use of Metals Tang Dynasty I (cn_tang_dyn_1)
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Steel 617 CE  763 CE
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Iron 617 CE  763 CE
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Copper 617 CE  763 CE
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Bronze 617 CE  763 CE
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Projectiles Tang Dynasty I (cn_tang_dyn_1)
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Tension Siege Engine 617 CE  763 CE
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Sling Siege Engine 617 CE  763 CE
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Sling Siege Engine 617 CE  763 CE
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Sling 617 CE  763 CE
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Self Bow 617 CE  763 CE
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Javelin 617 CE  763 CE
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Handheld Firearm 617 CE  763 CE
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Gunpowder Siege Artillery 617 CE  763 CE
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Crossbow 617 CE  763 CE
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Composite Bow 617 CE  763 CE
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Atlatl 617 CE  763 CE
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Handheld weapons Tang Dynasty I (cn_tang_dyn_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
War Club 617 CE  763 CE
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Sword 617 CE  763 CE
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Spear 617 CE  763 CE
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Polearm 617 CE  763 CE
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Dagger 617 CE  763 CE
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Battle Axe 617 CE  763 CE
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Animals used in warfare Tang Dynasty I (cn_tang_dyn_1)
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Horse 617 CE  763 CE
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Donkey 617 CE  763 CE
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Dog 617 CE  763 CE
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Armor Tang Dynasty I (cn_tang_dyn_1)
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Wood Bark Etc 617 CE  763 CE
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Shield 617 CE  763 CE
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Scaled Armor 617 CE  763 CE
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Plate Armor 617 CE  763 CE
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Limb Protection 617 CE  763 CE
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Leather Cloth 617 CE  763 CE
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Laminar Armor 617 CE  763 CE
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Helmet 617 CE  763 CE
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Chainmail 617 CE  763 CE
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Breastplate 617 CE  763 CE
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Naval technology Tang Dynasty I (cn_tang_dyn_1)
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Specialized Military Vessel 617 CE  763 CE
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Small Vessels Canoes Etc 617 CE  763 CE
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Merchant Ships Pressed Into Service 617 CE  763 CE
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Economy Variables (Luxury Goods)
Religion Variables
Moralizing Supernatural Punishment and Reward Tang Dynasty I (cn_tang_dyn_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Moralizing Enforcement is Broad 617 CE  763 CE
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Moralizing Supernatural Concern is Primary 617 CE  763 CE
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Moralizing Enforcement is Agentic 617 CE  763 CE
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Moralizing Enforcement in This Life 617 CE  763 CE
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Moralizing Supernatural Punishment And Reward 617 CE  763 CE
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Moralizing Religion Adopted by Commoners 617 CE  763 CE
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Moralizing Enforcement is Targeted 617 CE  763 CE
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Moralizing Enforcement in Afterlife 617 CE  763 CE
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Moralizing Religion Adopted by Elites 617 CE  763 CE
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Moralizing Enforcement of Rulers 617 CE  763 CE
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Moralizing Enforcement is Certain 617 CE  763 CE
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Human Sacrifice Tang Dynasty I (cn_tang_dyn_1)
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Instability Data
Power Transitions