What do you think?
Rate this book
Ancient China by M. Scarpari
Ancient China, the cradle of a great civilization whose influence spread throughout South-East Asia and whose splendor and complexity were recounted by a tradition thousands of years old, surprised archaeologists last century when immense treasures came to light intact, confirming historical accounts and encouraging further research which is sure to bear fruit. This Fascinating and accessible text by Maurizio Scarpari, accompanied by over 400 illustrations and photographs, places those finds in context, recounting the amazing history of the civilization and culture of ancient China form the Neolithic Age through the Bronze Age to the period of the Empire.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 2000
1 person is currently reading
86 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 13, 2012
Scarpari has assembled a beautiful book and avoided the pictures that have more commonly appeared. This work deserves to be better known.
November 4, 2011
This book has pictures that I have rarely seen in books on China or Chinese Art. Although there is not anything new that struck me, this was well worth waiting for (on inter-library loan).
February 1, 2022
Overview:
This is a museum in a book. The cultural building blocks of China. Showcasing not just the various aspects of ancient Chinese culture, but the very artifacts from the time period. Chinese considered their region as the center of the world, the Middle Kingdom. Usually organized by a system of kingship whose ambition was to conquer and unify everything under Heaven. Dynastic rule was based on divine authority. Depending on the behavior and conduct of the rulers, they might lose or gain the favor of Heaven. A Mandate from Heaven that could be used to legitimately overthrow a dynasty. Many of the glories of the dynasties, came about because of the efforts of prior dynasties. Honor between adversaries was to be upheld during battle and after. Mercy was not uncommon. Although wanting to influence other peoples, China itself was heavily influenced by other cultures and ideas, such as with Buddhism.
Earlier rule was based on Shaman-priests, a class dominating politics from a magical-religious influence. Technology during this era was directed at ritual items, rather than improving everyone’s lives. Divination gradually lost its central role in worship, changing where resources were directed to. Political organization shifted bureaucracy gradually from family bonds, to merit. Brining further coordination from local governments by a system that facilitated extensive central control.
Unified by 221 B.C.E. under the Qin dynasty. Even with various political vicissitudes, it was an empire that persisted though many centuries, until 1911 C.E. Many works such as philosophy, literary, and historic were burned by the Qin. The works held traditions, which were obstacles to implementation of new plans. Annals of Qin, and scientific treaties were excluded from the destruction. The Qin dynasty did not survive past its founder, as a power struggle tore the government apart.
But it is not only purposeful destruction that contributed to the scarcity of artifacts, it was also time. Little has survived the ravages of time, as most architecture were constructed using perishable materials.
China has a history of extreme inequality. During certain times, they allowed enslaving peasants. With peasants generally losing more and more land, and therefor having to work for large landowners. Elites had most of the resources, while the rest lived in poverty. Luxury products were produced with the resources that the elite had.
Chinese had various mystic and philosophical understandings that coordinated behavior. Confucianism focused on family ties. Learning about past values, culture, and improvement of oneself were tools for moral progress and how harmony is generated from social conscience. Daoist focused on the individual rather than society. Aspiring to a simple existence devoid of ambition. Within these mystical ways, the individual would be capable of liberation from the physical world.
China wanted to assimilate people outside their lands, but China itself was influenced by foreigners. Buddhism was quickly integrated into Chinese civilization. A massive effort between Chinese and Indian monks to translate the Sanskrit texts.
Caveats?
The book covers a very long period of time, with many changing aspects. As such, the book is limited in creating an in depth understanding of any given era. What is also limited are the interconnections between ideas and topics. The book works well as an introduction to Ancient Chinese culture, but more research will be needed to understand how the various cultural aspects fit together, and the reasons behind many of the changes.
Claims are often made without much detail or explanation making it difficult to accept. Some claims might have been passed down, while the details have been destroyed with time. A claim made without much explanation includes the continuity of the empire, given the various dynastic breakups, and China itself being conquered. What is missing, due to lack of space, are the various interpretations of the ideas.
This is a museum in a book. The cultural building blocks of China. Showcasing not just the various aspects of ancient Chinese culture, but the very artifacts from the time period. Chinese considered their region as the center of the world, the Middle Kingdom. Usually organized by a system of kingship whose ambition was to conquer and unify everything under Heaven. Dynastic rule was based on divine authority. Depending on the behavior and conduct of the rulers, they might lose or gain the favor of Heaven. A Mandate from Heaven that could be used to legitimately overthrow a dynasty. Many of the glories of the dynasties, came about because of the efforts of prior dynasties. Honor between adversaries was to be upheld during battle and after. Mercy was not uncommon. Although wanting to influence other peoples, China itself was heavily influenced by other cultures and ideas, such as with Buddhism.
Earlier rule was based on Shaman-priests, a class dominating politics from a magical-religious influence. Technology during this era was directed at ritual items, rather than improving everyone’s lives. Divination gradually lost its central role in worship, changing where resources were directed to. Political organization shifted bureaucracy gradually from family bonds, to merit. Brining further coordination from local governments by a system that facilitated extensive central control.
Unified by 221 B.C.E. under the Qin dynasty. Even with various political vicissitudes, it was an empire that persisted though many centuries, until 1911 C.E. Many works such as philosophy, literary, and historic were burned by the Qin. The works held traditions, which were obstacles to implementation of new plans. Annals of Qin, and scientific treaties were excluded from the destruction. The Qin dynasty did not survive past its founder, as a power struggle tore the government apart.
But it is not only purposeful destruction that contributed to the scarcity of artifacts, it was also time. Little has survived the ravages of time, as most architecture were constructed using perishable materials.
China has a history of extreme inequality. During certain times, they allowed enslaving peasants. With peasants generally losing more and more land, and therefor having to work for large landowners. Elites had most of the resources, while the rest lived in poverty. Luxury products were produced with the resources that the elite had.
Chinese had various mystic and philosophical understandings that coordinated behavior. Confucianism focused on family ties. Learning about past values, culture, and improvement of oneself were tools for moral progress and how harmony is generated from social conscience. Daoist focused on the individual rather than society. Aspiring to a simple existence devoid of ambition. Within these mystical ways, the individual would be capable of liberation from the physical world.
China wanted to assimilate people outside their lands, but China itself was influenced by foreigners. Buddhism was quickly integrated into Chinese civilization. A massive effort between Chinese and Indian monks to translate the Sanskrit texts.
Caveats?
The book covers a very long period of time, with many changing aspects. As such, the book is limited in creating an in depth understanding of any given era. What is also limited are the interconnections between ideas and topics. The book works well as an introduction to Ancient Chinese culture, but more research will be needed to understand how the various cultural aspects fit together, and the reasons behind many of the changes.
Claims are often made without much detail or explanation making it difficult to accept. Some claims might have been passed down, while the details have been destroyed with time. A claim made without much explanation includes the continuity of the empire, given the various dynastic breakups, and China itself being conquered. What is missing, due to lack of space, are the various interpretations of the ideas.
May 15, 2020
more of a 2.5
If you're looking for a straight up, 'chinese history for the busy person', this would probably fit the bill. The first third covered the general time-line up to what would be the medieval ages in europe. Second third covered religion and other cultural constructs. Last third covered material arts. Nothing too in depth; there were a ton of pictures, which was nice, but I feel like it also limited space that could have been used for more information/explanation.
My main beef with the book, and probably the reason I didn't give it 3 stars, is the layout. First of all, China had a TON of dynasties, some of them happening at the same time. So, reading through a time line, and then remember what dynasty happened when in regards to religious or artistic innovation was a little hard. I think the book would have worked a lot better if talk about religion and the arts was integrated into the historical timeline. After all, context is everything. You can't have a real talk about religion or innovation without placing them in the wider context of what was going on in society at the time.
Still, if you don't know anything about Chinese history and want to know something, this isn't a bad book to start with. Also good for those of you who are visual learners.
If you're looking for a straight up, 'chinese history for the busy person', this would probably fit the bill. The first third covered the general time-line up to what would be the medieval ages in europe. Second third covered religion and other cultural constructs. Last third covered material arts. Nothing too in depth; there were a ton of pictures, which was nice, but I feel like it also limited space that could have been used for more information/explanation.
My main beef with the book, and probably the reason I didn't give it 3 stars, is the layout. First of all, China had a TON of dynasties, some of them happening at the same time. So, reading through a time line, and then remember what dynasty happened when in regards to religious or artistic innovation was a little hard. I think the book would have worked a lot better if talk about religion and the arts was integrated into the historical timeline. After all, context is everything. You can't have a real talk about religion or innovation without placing them in the wider context of what was going on in society at the time.
Still, if you don't know anything about Chinese history and want to know something, this isn't a bad book to start with. Also good for those of you who are visual learners.
September 25, 2020
Though this is a coffee table book, it is worth the price of admission. It has wonderful photographs and drawings, some as large as four pages. The book is well researched and well written by an Italian professor from Venice.
He gives the history from the neolithic to the Tang Dynasty focusing of course on art. The archeological sites section was of particular interest to me. My only wish is that he had written and shown more of the Great Wall (2 pages) than the Buddhist caves (24 pages).
He gives the history from the neolithic to the Tang Dynasty focusing of course on art. The archeological sites section was of particular interest to me. My only wish is that he had written and shown more of the Great Wall (2 pages) than the Buddhist caves (24 pages).
November 17, 2008
A beautiful book that just draws you in! One of my most treasured reference works. I am always in awe of this great civilization and the history surrounding it. I am proud that it is a part of my heritage.
Read
May 17, 2009excellent pictures and descriptions.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews