Northern Song

Northern Song was an empire in North China (East Asia) that lasted from 960 to 1127 CE, about 167 years. Its people spoke Chinese languages (Sinitic languages).

A state run by examination-trained scholar officials, with paper money, movable type, gunpowder weapons and a commercial boom. It paid tribute to the Liao and Xia, and the Jurchens captured Kaifeng and two emperors in 1127.

See Northern Song on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates

960 to 1127 CE

Duration

167 years

Type

Empire

Region

North China, East Asia

Language family

Chinese

Capital

Kaifeng

Came from

• Southern Tang 937 to 975 CE
• Wuyue 907 to 978 CE
• Later Shu 934 to 965 CE
• Southern Han 917 to 971 CE
• Later Zhou 951 to 960 CE

Became

• Southern Song 1127 to 1279 CE

Events in East Asia during its time

• 1044 Gunpowder formula recorded

Neighbours in East Asia

• Goryeo 918 to 1392 CE
• Heian period 794 to 1185 CE
• Liao dynasty 916 to 1125 CE
• Western Xia 1038 to 1227 CE
• Southern Song 1127 to 1279 CE
• Jin dynasty (Jurchen) 1115 to 1234 CE
• Guge kingdom c. 967 to 1630 CE
• Tibetan era of fragmentation 842 to 1264 CE
• Dali Kingdom 937 to 1253 CE
• Guiyi Circuit 851 to 1036 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

• Republic of Venice c. 697 to 1797 CE, Europe
• Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Europe
• Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Middle East
• Swahili city-states c. 800 to 1700 CE, Central and Southern Africa
• Ghana Empire (Wagadu) c. 300 to 1200 CE, North and West Africa
• Holy Roman Empire 962 to 1806 CE, Europe
• Srivijaya c. 650 to 1377 CE, Southeast Asia
• Khmer Empire 802 to 1431 CE, Southeast Asia
• Tiwanaku c. 400 to 1000 CE, South America
• Abbasid Caliphate 750 to 1258 CE, Middle East

Questions