A fascinating, concise and comprehensive description of the rise, glory and fall of Chinese civilization. This book, intended for a general readership, charts the development of China from its ancient origins to the 13th century by describing the social, cultural and artistic expression, the changing institutions of social organisation, and the expansion of trade and economic growth. The lavish testimonies of this dazzling culture with its enormous burial complexes complete with sumptuous grave ornaments, the immense pictorial tradition, and the extraordinary skill on metalworking and pottery production are brought to life by magnificent images of great aesthetic impact. AUTHOR: Stefania Stafutti is a full professor of Chinese Language and Literature at the University of Turin. She has published a number of monograph essays and translated literary works, as well as being deputy chairperson of the AECS and a board member of the AISC. Frederica Romagnoli graduated in Chinese Language and Literature from the "Ca' Foscari" University of Venice in 1989. After a number of trips and periods of study spent in China, in 1995 she was awarded a PhD from the University of Genoa in History of Indian and Eastern Asian Art, for her thesis on the history of Chinese pottery, a subject on which she has held university courses, and given lectures and conference presentations. Colour illustrations