Peoples of Pingcheng (398-494)
Cultural Diversity and Interaction
edited by Thomas O. Hollmann and Shing Muller
The volume is the result of a conference on “Culture and Cultural Diversity in Early Medieval China (4th to 7th Century) held in January 2017 in Munchen. Twenty papers presented during the workshop represent the latest research on the people(s) in Pingcheng written by outstanding scholars in both Chinese and English.
Compared to the later capital of the Northern Wei Dynasty, Luoyang (494-534), Pingcheng on the northern border of the Chinese world has received less scholarly attention despite its far longer capital status (398-494). The main reason is the lack of written sources. In addition, there is the derogatory idea that Pingcheng was a latifundium inhabited by “barbarians,” since the rulers of the Northern Wei were the Tuoba Xianbei from the eastern steppe, who established the first long-term foreign control over northern China. Traditionally, Luoyang is the epitome of the sinicized Tuoba Xianbei, while Pingcheng represents the state of the Tuoba Xianbei who were on the way to “becoming Chinese.” Excavations show that Pingcheng, which was built on the ruins of a garrison from the Han-Dynasty, arose from nothing and the inhabitants came from outside. Burial finds indicate a steadily growing population, which is said to have reached one million in its prime. At first, tombs were erected to indicate their steppe origins. New rites and artifacts emerged in spurts. This corresponds to written records, according to which the city was mainly populated by steppe warriors, followed by forcibly relocated peoples from all conquered northern Chinese regions. The volume is the result of a conference on “Culture and Cultural Diversity in Early Medieval China (4th to 7th Century) held in January 2017 in Munchen. Twenty papers presented during the workshop represent the latest research on the people(s) in Pingcheng written by outstanding scholars in both Chinese and English.
- Edited by Thomas O Hollmann
- Edited by Shing Muller
Other Titles in this Series
In the Service of the Khan
Eminent Personalities of the Early Mongol-Yuan Period (1200-1300). Part 1
Volume 121
In the Service of the Khan
Eminent Personalities of the Early Mongol-Yuan Period (1200-1300). Part 2
Volume 121
Prestigeguter entlang der Seidenstrasse?
Archaologische und historische Untersuchungen zu Chinas Beziehungen zu Kulturen des Tarimbeckens vom zweiten bis fruhen funften Jahrhundert nach Christus
Volume 154
Avatamsaka Buddhism in East Asia
Huayan, Kegon, Flower Ornament Buddhism. Origins and Adaptation of a Visual Culture
Volume 144
The Mongolian Manuscripts on Birch Bark from Xarbuxyn Balgas in the Collection of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences
Part 2
Volume 137.2
The Role of Women in the Altaic World
Permanent International Altaistic Conference, 44th Meeting. Walberberg 26-31 August, 2001
Volume 152
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