Emperor K'ang-hsi
Meijun Cai
Cultural History 300
Professor Frangos
The emperor, Kang-xi, is considered by many the greatest of the Manchu emperors and in some ways an example of Plato's Philosopher King. Discuss the truth of this statement (you may also disagree). Be sure to refer to the reading by Kang-xi in your answer.
Emperor Kangxi (1654-1722) became the second ruler of the Manchu Qing Dynasty. He ascended the thrown after his father, who was the first emperor of the dynasty died. He became the ruler at age eight in 1661, and reigned for 61 years, becoming one of the longest reigning emperors in dynastic history.
He overcame the nobility preventing internal conflict within China (one of the main reasons for the stagnation of the Ming Dynasty), he led his troops to battle, expanding China to Tibet, defeated the Mongols and Russia. He was not just pulling the strings, but a great administrator who many regarded as an emperor who loved his people. Unlike other famous rulers, he did not kill or torture many people. Also, he did not raise tax; much less collect any from the peasants because there was enough money in the treasury. He was also highly educated, hard working and diligent, learning mathematics, geography ad science. He was well knowledgeable of his Confucianism and was a ruler under the “Mandate of Heaven” which postulates that heaven would bless the authority of a just ruler and overthrow ones who are despotic.
According to the reading of Emperor Kangxi, he was considered one of the greatest emperors of China in a long history of the nation. He was the perfect example of a king who ruled with rational, one who is relatively benevolent to his people, despite the fact that he had the complete control and power over them.
Emperor Kangxi was an epitome of Plato’s Philosopher King, which, according to “The Republic” (a Socratic dialogue written by Plato around 380 BC), represents those rulers who were intelligent, rational, self-controlled, in-love with
Cultural History 300
Professor Frangos
The emperor, Kang-xi, is considered by many the greatest of the Manchu emperors and in some ways an example of Plato's Philosopher King. Discuss the truth of this statement (you may also disagree). Be sure to refer to the reading by Kang-xi in your answer.
Emperor Kangxi (1654-1722) became the second ruler of the Manchu Qing Dynasty. He ascended the thrown after his father, who was the first emperor of the dynasty died. He became the ruler at age eight in 1661, and reigned for 61 years, becoming one of the longest reigning emperors in dynastic history.
He overcame the nobility preventing internal conflict within China (one of the main reasons for the stagnation of the Ming Dynasty), he led his troops to battle, expanding China to Tibet, defeated the Mongols and Russia. He was not just pulling the strings, but a great administrator who many regarded as an emperor who loved his people. Unlike other famous rulers, he did not kill or torture many people. Also, he did not raise tax; much less collect any from the peasants because there was enough money in the treasury. He was also highly educated, hard working and diligent, learning mathematics, geography ad science. He was well knowledgeable of his Confucianism and was a ruler under the “Mandate of Heaven” which postulates that heaven would bless the authority of a just ruler and overthrow ones who are despotic.
According to the reading of Emperor Kangxi, he was considered one of the greatest emperors of China in a long history of the nation. He was the perfect example of a king who ruled with rational, one who is relatively benevolent to his people, despite the fact that he had the complete control and power over them.
Emperor Kangxi was an epitome of Plato’s Philosopher King, which, according to “The Republic” (a Socratic dialogue written by Plato around 380 BC), represents those rulers who were intelligent, rational, self-controlled, in-love with