And Economic Life Of The Princess Of The Tang Dynasty

In the feudal society, the imperial concubines and princesses were two main privileged women communities who were in the high-class. Especially in the Tang Dynasty, an open world has caused women to be full of more personal freedom and individuality. For many years, lots of historians have paid much attention to the imperial concubines and princesses, including all kinds of their activities.This text focuses on the economic life of the imperial concubines and princesses in the Tang Dynasty, which were less research results in the past. Based on an investigation of their daily incomes and expenditure, we find the imperial concubines and princesses had in common place, regardless of their economic source and consume. At the same time they still kept their own special features. On the revenue side, all of them depended on a supply of nation, laying the economic foundation firmly. In the meantime, they endeavored to obtain the bestowed gifts by flattering to the emperor to enhance the economic strength. But the imperial concubines had no independent human body freedom, just the accessories of the emperor, and their lives and activities were controlled by the emperor. In the contrast, the princesses got more privilege and money through promoting the status and expanding economic outlets. On the expenditure side, the princesses had more diversified consumption types than the imperial concubines' addition to the costumes and make-up and political investment in a common consumption, which was entirely due to the two very different living conditions. Furthermore, the text points out all of them participated in a series of unique economic activities, such as: personally presiding over the ceremony of picking the mulberry leaves, state intervention in economic decision-making, which caused a certain influence in the social production and economic development. To some extent, they were not only the luxury consumers but also socio-economic development promoters.The text is divided into five chapters: the first, it explains the significance of topic, reviewing the research profiles, defining the conception, and introducing research methods. The second, it presents the personal incomes of the imperial concubines and princesses respectively. The third, it points out the imperial concubines and princesses had different consumer directions according to their different status and position. The forth, it elaborates their unique economic activities and influence. At last, it reveals both the imperial concubines and princesses had favorable economic conditions. But there's a clear distinction in their economic life and treatment.