The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
All other sections in this Literature Study Guide are owned and copyrighted by BookRags, Inc.
156-87 B.C.
Chinese Han Dynasty emperor noted for his reforms and expansion of the empire. Wu-ti replaced the power of nobles with that of Confucian civil servants, for whom he established a system of examinations (formalized c. 600) that would remain in use until modern times. He also issued an early form of banknote, and in 138 B.C. sent an official named Chang Ch'ien (c. 114 B.C.) westward on a diplomatic mission that resulted in the first Chinese contact with an outside civilization. As a result of Chinese exposure to Central Asia, Wu-ti became intrigued with the region's sturdy "Celestial Horses," which were brought back to China and bred.