Les Dynasties Qin Et Han: Histoire Generale de la Chine (221 Av. J.-C.-220 Apr. J.-C.)

Under the direction of Damien ChaussendeGENERAL HISTORY OF CHINAL’Histoire générale de la Chine, a series of ten illustrated volumes, combines scientific rigour with the joy of reading. Today it constitutes the most important compendium ever published on Chinese civilisation. Chronological chapters in the beginning of each volume present the major milestones in the political and institutional history of the period covered. They are followed by thematic sections (administration, daily life, religion, literature, economy, etc.) carefully selected to truly enlighten the reader. The whole series is enhanced with numerous illustrations, colour maps, a chronology, diverse appendices, and a complete index.THE QIN AND HAN DYNASTIES The first two Chinese empires, the Qin (221-207 BC) and the Han (206 BC-AD 220) dynasties, forged a political system, social structures, an economic organization and cultural foundations endowed with stupefying longevity. The unification imposed by these dynasties, as well as the territorial expansion, and subsequent intermingling of populations, marked those four centuries as a pivotal era. Through the work of renowned specialists, this book provides a remarkable overview of the history and civilization of this fundamental period, the study of which has greatly benefited from the plethora of archaeological discoveries made in recent decades.Marianne Bujard is Director of Graduate Studies at École Pratique des Hautes Etudes, 5th section. Her research deals with the religion of ancient China, and the temples and stelae of Peking. She has authored, among other publications, Le sacrifice au ciel dans la Chine ancienne : théorie et pratique sous les Han Occidentaux (EFEO, 2000).Michèle Pirazzoli-t'Serstevens is Director of Graduate Studies at École pratique des hautes études. Her research focuses on the history of Chinese art, art and archaeology of the Han Era, and Giuseppe Castiglione. Among other publications, she penned La Chine des Han (PUF, 1982) and Giuseppe Castiglione (1688-1766) : Peintre et architecte à la cour de Chine (Thalia, 2007).Damien Chaussende, a sinologist and CNRS researcher, is a member of Centre de Recherche sur les Civilisations de l'Asie Orientale (UMR 8155). The focus of his research is the history and historiography of Classical China. He is the author of Des Trois royaumes aux Jin. Légitimation du pouvoir impérial en Chine au IIIe siècle (Belles Lettres, 2010) and La Véritable histoire du premier empereur de Chine (Belles Lettres, 2010).