Chapter 12 Reunification and Renaissance: The Era of the Tang and Song Dynasties I. Introduction A. Vital consolidation ? changes less fundamental than elsewhere B. Though isolated, created ?orbit of influence? C. After Han ? nomadic invasions 1. Regional kingdoms 2. Landed families with aristocratic backgrounds dominated rulers 3. Decline a. Foreign religion ? Buddhism b. non-Chinese nomads ruled c. Great Wall divided between kingdoms d. trade/city life declined e. technology stagnated f. thought looked for magical cures/immortality D. Rapid return to height under Tang because of 1. Preservation of Confucian institutions II. Rebuilding the Imperial Edifice in the Sui-Tang Eras A. Introduction 1. Summary