Debating Ancient China's Most Influential Dynasties: Han vs. Tang

Historians regard the Han (206 BC - 220 AD) and Tang (618 AD - 907 AD) dynasties as the most formidable imperial dynasties of Ancient China. The Han laid the groundwork for Chinese culture and recorded a population of approximately 60 million in a census conducted in 2 AD, competing with Rome and formalizing the Silk Road. The Tang dynasty, established by the Li family, began with its first emperor, Li Yuan, who was followed by Li Shimin after the Xuanwu Gate Incident in 627 AD. At its zenith under Emperor Xuanzong (712 AD - 756 AD), the Tang Empire covered 4.13 million square miles and had around 53 million inhabitants by the 754 AD census. Wu Zetian became the sole legitimate female ruler of China in 690 AD, and this period is celebrated for its poetry, yielding over 48,000 works.