CHRONOLOGY OF IMPERIAL CHINA WITH AUTHORS OF AUTOBIOGRAPHIES

Shang (ca. 1500–1045 BCE)

Zhou (1045–256 BCE)

Warring States period (475–221 BCE)

Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE)

Western Han (202 BCE–9 CE)

Emperor Wu (r. 141–87 BCE)

Eastern Han (25–220 CE)

Wang Chong (27–ca. 97 CE)

Zheng Xuan (127–200)

Cai Yan (ca. 177–ca. 249)

Cao Cao (155–220) and his son Cao Pi (187–226)

Three Kingdoms period (220–265)

Zuo Fen (ca. 253–300)

Western Jin (265–316)

Eastern Jin (317–420)

Southern Dynasties (317–589)

Emperor Wu (r. 502–549) of the Liang

Northern Dynasties (386–581)

Northern Wei (386–534)

Sui dynasty (581–618)

Tang dynasty (618–907)

Han Yu (768–824)

Bai Juyi (772–846)

Lu Guimeng (ca. 836–881)

Five Dynasties (907–960)

Liao dynasty (916–1125)

Song dynasty (960–1279)

Northern Song (960–1126)

Liu Kai (948–1001)

Han Qi (1008–1075)

Southern Song (1127–1279)

Lou Yue (1137–1213)

Yelü Chucai (1190–1244)

Yuan Haowen (1190–1257)

Yuan dynasty (1234–1368)

Wen Tianxiang (1236–1283)

Xie Yingfang (1296–1392)

Ming dynasty (1368–1644)

Tan Yunxian (1461–1556)

Xu Wei (1521–1593)

Ai Nanying (1583–1646)

Madame Zhong (fl. 1570–1620)

Chen Qide (fl. 1640s)

Qing dynasty (1644–1912)

Pu Songling (1640–1715)

Luo Fenpeng (b. 1726)

Wang Huizu (1730–1807)

Zeng Guofan (1811–1872)

Liu Tang (1844–1929)