4.9 The Fortunes of Confucianism During the Early Han

Abstract

Course text chapter on early Chinese history

Confucianism was ordained as state ideology early in Wudi's reign, but the path that led to that status had been difficult, as Confucians were persecuted early in the dynasty. The fall and rise of Confucianism is described in this chapter, and illustrated by the careers of three Confucians: two were famous, Shusun Tong and Dong Zhongshu, and one, Sui Meng, was obscure.