Lecture #11: History of Classical China

by Andrew Seth Meyer
published on 30 September 2026

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Andrew Seth Meyer, Professor of History at Brooklyn College, specializes in ancient and medieval China. In this video, he discusses his book To Rule All Under Heaven and examines the Warring States period (481–221 BCE), a time of prolonged conflict and significant political and philosophical change.

The period marked an important turning point, with the emergence of intellectual traditions such as Confucianism and Daoism that continued to shape Chinese society. It ended in 221 BCE, when the state of Qin unified the competing kingdoms and established the first imperial dynasty under Qin Shi Huang.

The lecture also highlights key debates of the time, including the nature of the state, the balance between central and regional power, the role of intellectuals in government, and the shift from hereditary privilege to merit-based systems of advancement.

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To Rule All Under Heaven: A History of Classical China, from Confucius to the First Emperor
by Andrew Seth Meyer
https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0197667481

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The music used in this recording is the intellectual copyright of Michael Levy, a prolific composer for the recreated lyres of antiquity, and used with the creator's permission. Michael Levy's music is available to stream at all the major digital music platforms. Find out more on:
https://www.ancientlyre.com
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7Dx2vFEg8DmOJ5YCRm4A5v?si=emacIH9CRieFNGXRUyJ9
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ1X6F7lGMEadnNETSzTv8A

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