The Imperial Network in Ancient China: The Foundation of Sinitic Empire in Southern East Asia

This book explores the emergence of imperial state in East Asia during 400 BCE-200 CE as a network-based process, demonstrating the breadth of human and material resources available to empire builders. It shows how the interplay between an imperial network and alternative frameworks of long-distance interaction shaped the political-economic trajectory of the Sinitic world and its involvement in Eurasian globalization.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate process of the emergence of the imperial state in East Asia during the period spanning approximately 400 BCE to 200 CE. It presents a compelling argument that this state formation unfolded as a network-based phenomenon, shaped by the geography of early interregional contacts south of the Yangzi River. Through a meticulous examination of a vast array of sources, including transmitted textual records, archaeological evidence, excavated legal manuscripts, and archival documents from Liye, the book showcases the remarkable breadth of human and material resources available to the empire builders of an early imperial network across southern East Asia. These resources extended far beyond institutions and infrastructures, encompassing relationships that facilitated the circulation of goods, ideas, and people.

The significance of this network becomes evident as it played a pivotal role in consolidating Sinitic imperial rule in the sub-tropical zone south of the Yangzi River, despite facing formidable environmental, epidemiological, and logistical challenges. This study is groundbreaking in its exploration of how the interplay between an imperial network and alternative frameworks of long-distance interaction in ancient East Asia shaped the political-economic trajectory of the Sinitic world and its involvement in Eurasian globalization. By contributing to ongoing debates surrounding imperial state formation, the applicability of world-system models, and the comparative study of empires, The Imperial Network in Ancient China offers valuable insights to students and scholars of East Asian studies, archaeology, and history.

Weight: 585g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367654290