What are the similarities and differences of the Tang and Song Dynasties?
Similarities: These two dynasties are arguably the greatest two dynasties in Chinese history. They were both governed by elaborate bureaucratic systems based on merit. In both dynasties, China remained patriarchal, people continued to venerate ancestors, though the rituals became more elaborate in these two dynasties. In addition, China continued to trade silk and porcelain on the silk roads in these two dynasties. Differences: The Tang dynasty implemented the equal-field system, in which the government tried to distribute land to peasants depending on the each peasant’s needs. The Song dynasty never implemented this policy.
