The Selection Process of Officials during the Tang Dynasty

The use of examinations

The Tang Dynasty used a selection process for officials that relied on examinations. This is different from the previous dynasty, the Sui, where officials were chosen through recommendations from people of high status. The examinations given during the Tang Dynasty were based off of the Confucian Classics and tested the potential officials on their knowledge of these works. The use of examinations to select government officials was continued in later dynasties such as the Song and Ming Dynasties.

Appointment by recommendation

The earliest form of the examination system was the appointment by recommendation, in which officials were nominated by their superiors for posts at court or in the provinces. This system was established early in the Tang dynasty and continued until 911, when the selection replaced it by written examination. Although this system may have been vulnerable to corruption and nepotism, it did allow for a measure of meritocracy in the sense that officials were selected on the basis of their actual accomplishments rather than on their family background or wealth.

The Qualifications of Officials during the Tang Dynasty

There were many methods in which officials were chosen for government positions during the Tang Dynasty. In order to become an official, one had to be of good character, have a good education, and be able to pass the imperial examinations.

Moral character

The first and foremost qualification for an official during the Tang dynasty was moral character. To be an effective leader, one had to first set an example for the people to follow. officials were not only expected to uphold the law, but also to lead by example in terms of their personal conduct. Those who were considered to be of good moral character were thought to be more likely to make sound decisions that would benefit the people.

Competence

The basis for an official’s competence was his ethical behavior. A good official was expected to be filial, to care for his parents and elders; to be fraternal, to take care of his brothers and other relatives; to be affectionate, to look after his friends; and to set a good example for the people he governs. A compassionate official was also supposed treat those beneath him with humanity and consideration. In addition, an effective official had certain personal qualities such as diligence, persistence, bravery, decisiveness, and the ability to inspire confidence.

The Duties of Officials during the Tang Dynasty

Officials were chosen for government positions within the Tang Dynasty by imperial examinations and recommendations. There were three main types of officials: civil, military, and judicial. The responsibilities and duties of each official differed based on their position. Civil officials were responsible for managing the empire and its people, military officials protected the empire from external threats, and judicial officials enforced the law.

Local officials

Local officials were responsible for maintaining order and Collecting taxes within their districts. They were appointed by the provincial governors and reported directly to them. There were four ranks of local officials: prefect, commandant, captain, and county sheriff. The highest ranking local official was the prefect. He was in charge of a group of districts and was responsible for maintaining law and order within his jurisdiction. The prefects were assisted by commandants, who oversaw groups of counties. Below the commandants were captains, who oversaw a single county, and finally, county sheriffs, who were responsible for keeping the peace within their district.

Central officials

Central officials were those who worked in the imperial court or who were sent out on imperial business. They were the highest level of officials and were the most powerful.

The Supervision of Officials during the Tang Dynasty

The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 618 to 907. The dynasty was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the collapse of the Sui dynasty. The Tang dynasty was characterized by its grandeur, its prosperity, and its cosmopolitanism. The Tang capital, Chang’an, was the most populous city in the world during the 8th century.

The Censorate

The Censorate was a government body during the Tang dynasty responsible for the oversight of officials. Officials were not appointed to their positions by the emperor, but were instead chosen through a competitive examination system. The Censorate was responsible for making sure that officials were honest and competent. If an official was found to be corrupt or incompetent, the Censorate had the power to impeach him.

The Imperial Household Department

The Imperial Household Department was in charge of choosing officials for government positions during the Tang Dynasty. They were also responsible for managing the emperor’s household and overseeing ceremonial events.