Chronicle of the Chinese Emperors

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Spanning over two thousand years, from the first emperor buried with his terra-cotta army in the third century B.C. to the last emperor enthroned in the Forbidden City in 1911, this work presents the history of China through its rulers. The imperial system featured a centralized administration guided by Confucian moral-political beliefs. The emperor, regarded as the Son of Heaven, wielded semi-divine powers but was not infallible; failure to serve his subjects justified rebellion. This led emperors to navigate centuries of upheaval while remaining central to the vast political unit known as the Middle Kingdom. The rulers, including one woman, Wu Zetian, exhibited a mix of virtues and flaws, often magnified by their status. Many were accomplished scholars and artists, while others displayed significant deficiencies or delegated power to eunuchs and concubines. Under capable leadership, China's influence expanded across Central and Southeast Asia, but weak rulers saw the nation shrink, culminating in occupation by Mongols. The arrival of Western civilization with superior firepower ultimately challenged the Middle Kingdom's stability. The detailed coverage includes data files for each emperor, special features on landmarks, portraits, maps of significant events, and timelines for quick reference on reigns and key occurrences.