The Era Names Change and Periodization of the First Half of Tang Emperor Gao-zong (649–683 CE) Reign

Abstract

This paper compares the subjective Chinese periodization through era (reign) names of the Tang emperor Gao-zong (649683 CE) reign to scientific model of periodization through means of analyzing change in political process. To accomplish this we explore the historical events laid out in the 4th chapter of the Jiu Tang shu 舊唐書 (Old book of Tang) chronicle, which is one of Chinese medieval standard Histories zhengshi 正史. Our research shows that the reign names periodization is founded upon the real changes of political and historical dynamic even in cases when our primary source lists the reasons of an era name change among the purely ritual, sacral, mantic and mystical happenings, like the omens, portents and emergence of fairy creatures.