Did the world’s first newspapers appear in medieval China? During the Song Dynasty, official bulletins and independent news sheets reported on politics, wars, disasters and court scandals to a growing audience.
www.medievalists.net/2026/05/the-...
#MedievalChina
www.medievalists.net/2026/05/the-...
#MedievalChina
The World’s First Newspapers May Have Appeared in Medieval China - Medievalists.net
Long before newspapers appeared in Europe, medieval China had printed publications reporting on politics, government decisions, scandals, and military affairs during the Song Dynasty.
www.medievalists.net
August 18, 2026 at 12:17 PM
Did the world’s first newspapers appear in medieval China? During the Song Dynasty, official bulletins and independent news sheets reported on politics, wars, disasters and court scandals to a growing audience.
www.medievalists.net/2026/05/the-...
#MedievalChina
www.medievalists.net/2026/05/the-...
#MedievalChina
#DOTD: Denis Crispin Twitchett 杜希德 (1925–2006), British sinologist and historian of #MedievalChina, co-editor of The Cambridge History of China. Professor at the University of Cambridge & Princeton University, he is best known for his work on the Tang 唐 (618–907).
February 24, 2026 at 5:56 AM
#DOTD: Denis Crispin Twitchett 杜希德 (1925–2006), British sinologist and historian of #MedievalChina, co-editor of The Cambridge History of China. Professor at the University of Cambridge & Princeton University, he is best known for his work on the Tang 唐 (618–907).
#DOTD: Xiang Da 向達 (1900–1966), #Chinese historian of the #MiddleAges, #Dunhuang #敦煌 scholar, translator, #bookhistorian. #MedievalChina #ModernChina #ChineseHistorians #Buddhism #EastWestExchanges #BertoldLaufer
November 24, 2025 at 5:43 AM
#DOTD: Xiang Da 向達 (1900–1966), #Chinese historian of the #MiddleAges, #Dunhuang #敦煌 scholar, translator, #bookhistorian. #MedievalChina #ModernChina #ChineseHistorians #Buddhism #EastWestExchanges #BertoldLaufer
#BOTD in #MedievalChina: #Tang #唐 Emperor Li Heng 李亨 (Suzong 肅宗, 711–762; r. 756–762), who ascended the throne in the midst of the #AnLushanRebellion #安史之亂 while his father Li Longji 李隆基/Xuanzong 玄宗 was still alive, forcing the latter to retire. Both died in 762.
October 19, 2025 at 6:49 AM
#BOTD in #MedievalChina: #Tang #唐 Emperor Li Heng 李亨 (Suzong 肅宗, 711–762; r. 756–762), who ascended the throne in the midst of the #AnLushanRebellion #安史之亂 while his father Li Longji 李隆基/Xuanzong 玄宗 was still alive, forcing the latter to retire. Both died in 762.
#BOTD: Sun Kuo-tung 孫國棟 (1922–2013), historian of #MedievalChina (Tang-Song 唐宋), medieval Chinese #InstitutionalHistory, aristocracy, and #prosopography. #MedievalHistory
October 9, 2025 at 6:24 AM
#BOTD: Sun Kuo-tung 孫國棟 (1922–2013), historian of #MedievalChina (Tang-Song 唐宋), medieval Chinese #InstitutionalHistory, aristocracy, and #prosopography. #MedievalHistory
October 9, 2025 at 6:24 AM
#OTD 189 CE: The warlord Dong Zhuo 董卓 (–192), who holds sway over the court of the late Eastern Han 東漢 (25–220), replaces boy emperor Liu Bian 劉辯 (176–190 CE) with his brother Li Xie 劉協 (181–234, Emperor Xian 獻帝, r. 189–220). #MedievalChina #ThreeKingdoms #三國
September 28, 2025 at 2:14 PM
#OTD 189 CE: The warlord Dong Zhuo 董卓 (–192), who holds sway over the court of the late Eastern Han 東漢 (25–220), replaces boy emperor Liu Bian 劉辯 (176–190 CE) with his brother Li Xie 劉協 (181–234, Emperor Xian 獻帝, r. 189–220). #MedievalChina #ThreeKingdoms #三國
#OTD 1013: Completion of the Principal Models from the #Imperial Storehouse (Cefu Yuangui #冊府元龜), a massive collection of official documents and one of the principal sources for the history of #MedievalChina. One of the Four Great Books of the Song (960–1279) 宋四大書
September 20, 2025 at 7:42 AM
#OTD 1013: Completion of the Principal Models from the #Imperial Storehouse (Cefu Yuangui #冊府元龜), a massive collection of official documents and one of the principal sources for the history of #MedievalChina. One of the Four Great Books of the Song (960–1279) 宋四大書
#OTD in #MedievalChina: Li Longji 李隆基 (685–762), Emperor Xuanzong 玄宗 (r. 712–756) of Tang 唐 (618–907) elevates his concubine Yang Yuhuan 楊玉環 (719–756) to the status of 'favorite consort' (guifei 貴妃)—hence her better-known name Yang Guifei. #長恨歌
September 17, 2025 at 6:36 AM
#OTD in #MedievalChina: Li Longji 李隆基 (685–762), Emperor Xuanzong 玄宗 (r. 712–756) of Tang 唐 (618–907) elevates his concubine Yang Yuhuan 楊玉環 (719–756) to the status of 'favorite consort' (guifei 貴妃)—hence her better-known name Yang Guifei. #長恨歌
#OTD: Li Longji 李隆基 (685–762, r. 712–756), temple name Xuanzong 玄宗, aka Illustrious Emperor 明皇, was not only born (685) but also ascended the throne of the Tang 唐 (618–907). #MedievalChina #長恨歌 #EverlastingSorrow #AnLushan #安史之亂 #ChineseHistory
September 8, 2025 at 5:46 AM
#OTD: Li Longji 李隆基 (685–762, r. 712–756), temple name Xuanzong 玄宗, aka Illustrious Emperor 明皇, was not only born (685) but also ascended the throne of the Tang 唐 (618–907). #MedievalChina #長恨歌 #EverlastingSorrow #AnLushan #安史之亂 #ChineseHistory
#OTD in #MedievalChina: Li Longji 李隆基/ Xuanzong 玄宗 (r. 712–56) of Tang 唐 and his crown prince, Li Heng 李亨 / Suzong 肅宗 (r. 756–62) quit the Western capital Chang'an 長安 for Chendu 成都 in flight from the rebel armies of the An Lushan Rebellion 安史之亂.
July 14, 2025 at 5:54 AM
#OTD in #MedievalChina: Li Longji 李隆基/ Xuanzong 玄宗 (r. 712–56) of Tang 唐 and his crown prince, Li Heng 李亨 / Suzong 肅宗 (r. 756–62) quit the Western capital Chang'an 長安 for Chendu 成都 in flight from the rebel armies of the An Lushan Rebellion 安史之亂.
...(善彈琵琶，能為新聲。上欲聞之，屢諷以微旨，曄偽若不曉，終不肯為上彈). It seems that the biography does not spare Fan Ye humiliation!
#chinesehistory #HanChina #medievalchina
#chinesehistory #HanChina #medievalchina
July 7, 2025 at 6:36 PM
...(善彈琵琶，能為新聲。上欲聞之，屢諷以微旨，曄偽若不曉，終不肯為上彈). It seems that the biography does not spare Fan Ye humiliation!
#chinesehistory #HanChina #medievalchina
#chinesehistory #HanChina #medievalchina
#DOTD: 李顯 (656–710), Tang Zhongzong 唐中宗 (r. 684; 705–10). After being deposed by his mother, Empress Wu 武則天 (r. 690–705) and replaced by his brother, Ruizong 睿宗 (r. 684–90; 710–12), the Tang was restored under his reign. #Restoration #中興 #ChineseHistory #MedievalChina
July 3, 2025 at 5:58 AM
#DOTD: 李顯 (656–710), Tang Zhongzong 唐中宗 (r. 684; 705–10). After being deposed by his mother, Empress Wu 武則天 (r. 690–705) and replaced by his brother, Ruizong 睿宗 (r. 684–90; 710–12), the Tang was restored under his reign. #Restoration #中興 #ChineseHistory #MedievalChina
#DOTD: Yuan Shao 袁紹 (?154–202), warlord of the late Eastern Han 東漢. Defeated by Cao Cao 曹操 (155–220) at the Battle of Guandu 官渡之戰 in 200. #MedievalChina #ChineseHistory #ThreeKingdoms #三國
June 28, 2025 at 7:54 AM
#DOTD: Yuan Shao 袁紹 (?154–202), warlord of the late Eastern Han 東漢. Defeated by Cao Cao 曹操 (155–220) at the Battle of Guandu 官渡之戰 in 200. #MedievalChina #ChineseHistory #ThreeKingdoms #三國
Polo Buddies and Rental Cabs: The Donkeys of Tang China and Their Poetic Destinies www.medievalists.net/2022/06/donk... #MedievalChina
Polo Buddies and Rental Cabs: The Donkeys of Tang China and Their Poetic Destinies - Medievalists.net
The humble donkey was a constant presence across Tang China and a regular feature in the day-to-day business of people from all walks of life. How were these animals remembered by writers of the time?
www.medievalists.net
June 21, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Polo Buddies and Rental Cabs: The Donkeys of Tang China and Their Poetic Destinies www.medievalists.net/2022/06/donk... #MedievalChina
#OTD in 618: Li Yuan Li Yuan #李淵 (566–635), temple name Gaozu 高祖 (r. 618–626) ascends the throne in the Sui 隋 (581–618) capital Daxing 大興 (thereafter named Chang'an 長安, today's Xi'an 西安), thus establishing the Great Tang #大唐 (618–907). #ChineseHistory #MedievalChina
June 18, 2025 at 5:44 AM
#OTD in 618: Li Yuan Li Yuan #李淵 (566–635), temple name Gaozu 高祖 (r. 618–626) ascends the throne in the Sui 隋 (581–618) capital Daxing 大興 (thereafter named Chang'an 長安, today's Xi'an 西安), thus establishing the Great Tang #大唐 (618–907). #ChineseHistory #MedievalChina
Medieval Forensics: 20 Key Observations by Song Ci www.medievalists.net/2024/06/medi... #MedievalChina
Medieval Forensics: 20 Key Observations by Song Ci - Medievalists.net
Explore the origins of forensic science through the groundbreaking work of Song Ci, a medieval physician and judge. His observations revolutionized the investigation of unusual deaths and laid the…
www.medievalists.net
June 5, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Medieval Forensics: 20 Key Observations by Song Ci www.medievalists.net/2024/06/medi... #MedievalChina
#DOTD: Xiao Tong 蕭統 (501–31), Crown Prince Zhaoming 昭明太子 of the Southern Liang #梁 (502–57) and compiler of Selections of Refined Literature #文選, the #vademecum of every well-educated person in #MedievalChina, translated, among other, by Erwin Ritter von Zach (1872–1942).
May 30, 2025 at 6:49 AM
#DOTD: Xiao Tong 蕭統 (501–31), Crown Prince Zhaoming 昭明太子 of the Southern Liang #梁 (502–57) and compiler of Selections of Refined Literature #文選, the #vademecum of every well-educated person in #MedievalChina, translated, among other, by Erwin Ritter von Zach (1872–1942).
#DOTD in #MedievalChina: #Tang #唐 Emperor Li Heng 李亨 (Suzong 肅宗, 711–762; r. 756–762), who ascended the throne in the midst of the #AnLushanRebellion #安史之亂 while his father Li Longji 李隆基/Xuanzong 玄宗 was still alive, forcing the latter to retire. Both died in 762.
May 16, 2025 at 6:51 AM
#DOTD in #MedievalChina: #Tang #唐 Emperor Li Heng 李亨 (Suzong 肅宗, 711–762; r. 756–762), who ascended the throne in the midst of the #AnLushanRebellion #安史之亂 while his father Li Longji 李隆基/Xuanzong 玄宗 was still alive, forcing the latter to retire. Both died in 762.
#OTD in #MedievalChina: The Shatuo 沙陀 general Li Cunxu 李存勗 (Zhuangzong 莊宗, 885–926, r. 923–926) declares himself emperor of the restored or Latter #Tang 後 #唐, one of the #FiveDynasties #五代 (907–960) in #ChineseHistory #ImperialChina #Restoration
May 13, 2025 at 6:00 AM
#OTD in #MedievalChina: The Shatuo 沙陀 general Li Cunxu 李存勗 (Zhuangzong 莊宗, 885–926, r. 923–926) declares himself emperor of the restored or Latter #Tang 後 #唐, one of the #FiveDynasties #五代 (907–960) in #ChineseHistory #ImperialChina #Restoration
#OTD in #MedievalChina: Li Zhu 李柷 (né Zuo 祚, Emperor Ai 哀帝 or Zhaoxuan 照宣帝, 892–908; r. 904–907) cedes the throne 禪讓 to Zhu Wen 朱溫 (Quanzhong 全忠, Liang Taizu 梁太祖), marking the end of #Tang #唐 after 289 years (618–907).#FiveDynasties #TangSongTransition #唐宋變革
May 12, 2025 at 6:21 AM
#OTD in #MedievalChina: Li Zhu 李柷 (né Zuo 祚, Emperor Ai 哀帝 or Zhaoxuan 照宣帝, 892–908; r. 904–907) cedes the throne 禪讓 to Zhu Wen 朱溫 (Quanzhong 全忠, Liang Taizu 梁太祖), marking the end of #Tang #唐 after 289 years (618–907).#FiveDynasties #TangSongTransition #唐宋變革
25 Sayings from Ancient and Medieval China www.medievalists.net/2025/02/sayi... #MedievalChina
25 Sayings from Ancient and Medieval China - Medievalists.net
Discover 25 powerful sayings from ancient and medieval China—timeless wisdom on success, fate, and human nature from dynasties past.
www.medievalists.net
May 8, 2025 at 2:17 AM
25 Sayings from Ancient and Medieval China www.medievalists.net/2025/02/sayi... #MedievalChina
#DOTD: Denis Crispin Twitchett 杜希德 (1925–2006), British sinologist and historian of #MedievalChina, co-editor of The Cambridge History of China. Professor at Cambridge & Princeton, he is best known for his work on the Tang 唐 (618–907 [not 906😬]).
February 24, 2025 at 7:48 AM
#DOTD: Denis Crispin Twitchett 杜希德 (1925–2006), British sinologist and historian of #MedievalChina, co-editor of The Cambridge History of China. Professor at Cambridge & Princeton, he is best known for his work on the Tang 唐 (618–907 [not 906😬]).
“Do you wanna build a snow-lion?”: Fun with snow in medieval China https://www.medievalists.net/2022/01/snow-medieval-china/ #MedievalChina
“Do you wanna build a snow-lion?”: Fun with snow in medieval China - Medievalists.net
The annual snowfall across much of medieval China provided various opportunities for fun and games.
www.medievalists.net
January 7, 2025 at 9:10 AM
“Do you wanna build a snow-lion?”: Fun with snow in medieval China https://www.medievalists.net/2022/01/snow-medieval-china/ #MedievalChina