304 episodes

A journey through the 5000 years of history documented by one of the world's oldest continuous civilizations. For all the episodes for free, as well as additional content, please subscribe and/or visit http://thehistoryofchina.wordpress.com.

The History of China Airwave Media

    • History
    • 4.7 • 1K Ratings

A journey through the 5000 years of history documented by one of the world's oldest continuous civilizations. For all the episodes for free, as well as additional content, please subscribe and/or visit http://thehistoryofchina.wordpress.com.

    #1 - Origins 1: The Mythical Origins Of The Middle Kingdom

    #1 - Origins 1: The Mythical Origins Of The Middle Kingdom

    In episode 1, we begin with an introduction to this podcast, followed by a brief overview of what we’ve come to know about early human migration and settlement in the region that will eventually become China. Finally, we’ll delve into the mythological origin story that purports to tell of the three divine Sovereigns who would create and then rule over the Han people. I’m very excited to be getting this journey underway! Once again welcome, and thank you for listening. UPDATE: As of 08/28/2016, this episode has been completely rebooted from the ground-up. Enjoy!

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    • 31 min
    #2 - Origins 2: Five Emperors, Twelve Islands

    #2 - Origins 2: Five Emperors, Twelve Islands

    This episode, we enter the second half of our gaze into the Chinese origins mythos. Focusing on the Five Emperors descended from the Yellow Emperor, this period marks the beginning of the transformation of the Huaxia People from settled tribe, to dynastic feudal kingdom. There will be betrayal, cataclysmic flooding, bird kingdoms, the Vietnamese, magical earth, and – of course – dragons.

    UPDATE: as of 08/28/2016, this episode has been fully rebooted from the ground up. Enjoy!

    Transcript Available (paywalled): Transcript

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    • 29 min
    #3 - Xia 1: The Xia, China's First Dynasty

    #3 - Xia 1: The Xia, China's First Dynasty

    This week we move into the beginnings of China’s dynastic period where rulers began favoring birthright over merit – and the consequences will be almost immediately apparent. Beginning with the triumphant reign of the heroic Yu the Great, the Xia’s semi-accidental trip into dynastic succession will swiftly spiral downward, eventually leaving a usurping general in power, and the House of Xia all but exterminated after decades in exile. Rebooted as of 09/06/2016
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    • 27 min
    #4 - Xia 2: Revenge of the Xia!

    #4 - Xia 2: Revenge of the Xia!

    This time, we take an in depth look into Shao Kang, the prince born in hiding who would rise from his dynasty's ashes to seek revenge against the Usurper-General Han Zhuo who had ruthlessly pursued him. Through a combination of skill, luck, and patience, Shao Kang will cobble together a force able to meet Han Zhuo's armies in battle.

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    • 22 min
    #5 - Xia 3: The Fall Of The House Of Xia

    #5 - Xia 3: The Fall Of The House Of Xia

    This episode we cover our source materials, and then delve into the latter half of the Xia Dynasty post Shao Kang's restoration. It all ends with the corrupt and cruel Emperor Jie coming face to face with the Army of Shang bearing down on him, intent on ending his reign of terror once and for all.
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    • 30 min
    #6 - Shang 1: Them Bones, Them Bones, Them Oracle Bones

    #6 - Shang 1: Them Bones, Them Bones, Them Oracle Bones

    We take a "time out" from our forward-marching chronology to examine the evidence we have of the Shang state, and how we came to know what we know about his period. Mostly, it's about what we can learn from reading divine messages off of dragon bones.
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    • 36 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
1K Ratings

1K Ratings

Historical insomniac ,

A remarkable survey

Update: perfection achieved. The host is excellent presenting this incredibly detailed, well-organized history of China. Now it runs without issue and I have listened to every episode through the T’ang. Remarkable, utterly remarkable.

Original: I studied Chinese history and welcomed this thoughtful podcast; however, the speaker's long pauses constantly cause the next episode to load/play in the midst of a sentence in the one I am listening. He should read with fewer pauses or edit closed these gaps after recording so iTunes doesn't read them as the episode's end. In 15:54 I had to skip back to continue listening dozens of time. Finally gave up.

21ease ,

History of China

Be surprised with tampon and gynecological surprise advertising content mid sentence in presentation. Packed in arbitrarily throughout the story of China..Learn more about women’s personal hygiene than any history

Platypusoppossum ,

Fantabulously spectacular

As someone with a proper emotional obsession with Chinese history, I cherish this podcast and jump up and down every time a new episode is released. Truly *massive* amount of content, yet very listenable. Overall fantastic.

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