One of the most notable emperors of the Tang Dynasty was Emperor Xuanzong, who ruled from 712 to 756 CE. Emperor Xuanzong is often credited with presiding over the "Golden Age" of the Tang Dynasty.During his reign, Emperor Xuanzong implemented a number of policies that promoted economic growth, cultural development, and social stability. He encouraged trade and commerce, established a system of civil service exams to recruit talented officials, and promoted the arts and education.
The An Lushan Rebellion
However, the Tang Dynasty's period of peace and prosperity was not destined to last. In 755 CE, a powerful military leader named An Lushan launched a rebellion against the Tang government.The An Lushan Rebellion, as it came to be known, lasted for eight years and had a devastating impact on the Tang Dynasty. The rebellion weakened the central government, led to widespread destruction and loss of life, and paved the way for the rise of regional warlords.
The Decline of the Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty never fully recovered from the An Lushan Rebellion. Over the next century, the dynasty experienced a period of gradual decline, marked by internal power struggles, regional fragmentation, and external threats.In 907 CE, the Tang Dynasty was finally overthrown by a regional warlord named Zhu Wen, who established the Later Liang Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty's collapse marked the end of a period of imperial unity and paved the way for a period of division and fragmentation that would last for centuries.