Compare And Contrast Tang And Song Dynasties

The era of the Tang and Song Dynasties is considered the Golden Age of Post-classical China. During these times, trade, society, art, and literature all flourished. A revival of Confucian thought was promoted by the governments of both dynasties. There was a decline in the status of women over this time period as well. These political and social aspects of Chinese life have both changed and remained the constant as China progressed through the Tang and the Song dynasties.

The rebuilding of and expansion of the Chinese bureaucracy was crucial for the restoration of Chinese unity that the early Tang emperors strived to achieve. Central to the restored bureaucracy was a scholar-gentry and a reworked Confucian ideology. As the Tang Empire expanded,
During both the Tang and Song periods, the examination system was greatly expanded and the plan of advancement in the civil service was more widely accepted. There were several different types of examinations administered by the Ministry of Rites to the students of government schools or to those who were recommended by already distinguished scholars. Only those who were able to pass the exams on philosophical and legal classics and even more challenging ones on Chinese literature were allowed to be considered for the highest offices. Those who passed the difficult Chinese literature exams earned the envied title of jinshi. Their families' position was secured by the prospeft of high office that was opened up by their success. Success in these exams won candidates "special social status" which meant they gained the right to wear certain distinguishing types of clothing and were exempt from corporeal punishment. They also gained access to material comfort and the refined pleasure enjoyed by all elite. However, even though merit and ambition "counted for something," birth and family influence was frequently more