The Han- 206 BCE-220 CE
Emperor Gaozu, was the first Han emperor after defeating the last rebellion against him, whose given name was Liu Bang. Gaozu was one of the few dynasty founders in Chinese history originating from the peasant class. During his reign, Liu Bang reduced taxes and promoted Confucianism. Lui Bang was a minor official in the Qin Dynasty and by the time it collapsed, Liu Bang had raised an army and claimed the vacant throne.
Primary Sources1. Covered Jar - Hu 206 B.C.–9 A.D
This piece of pottery is decorated with animated drama of a blue beast with fangs lunging at a mounted archer, then on the other side of the Hu is a striding tiger. This decoration on this vessel perfectly expresses the character of the Western Han dynasty and is,one of the finest known examples of Han painting. The blue beast represents the Sirius, known in China as the Heavenly Wolf, and archer is a personification of joining stars, whose arrow always points directly at the Wolf star. On the other side is the White Tiger, which is the symbol of the West, whose domain in the night sky borders that of the Wolf and Bow.
2.Central Watchtower, architectural model - 206 B.C.–220 CE
The Watchtower model was build by the so called 'Han people'. This is a very important piece of work because it shows how the people of the Han Dynasty manufactured there buildings. it shows that the towered gateways, and city walls were built as symbols of power and prestige as well as for defense. This model of a watchtower shows all the essential features of Han architecture. The basic unit is an enclosure defined by four corner piers with a widely overhanging tile roof supported by a system of brackets. this modal was found in a tomb with many other different types of architecture.
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