Barbarians at the Wall: The First Nomadic Empire and the Making of China

John Man
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The people of the first nomadic empire left no written records, but from 200 BC they dominated the heart of Asia for 400 years. They changed the world. The Mongols, today’s descendants of Genghis Khan, see them as ancestors. Their rise cemented Chinese unity and inspired the first Great Wall. Their heirs under Attila the Hun helped destroy the Roman Empire.

We don’t know what language they spoke, but they became known as Xiongnu, or Hunnu, a term passed down the centuries and across Eurasia, enduring today in shortened form as ‘Hun’. Outside Asia precious little is known of their rich history, but new evidence reframes our understanding of the indelible mark they left on a vast region stretching from Europe and sweeping right across Central Asia deep into China.

Based on meticulous research and new archaeological evidence, Barbarians at the Wall traces their epic story, and shows how the nomadic cultures of the steppes gave birth to a ‘barbarian empire’ with the wealth and power to threaten the civilised order of the ancient world.

(Excerpt from amazon.com)

The “Hunters, Warriors, Spirits: Nomadic Art of North China” exhibition presented by the City University of Hong Kong tells the story of the nomads through the diverse lenses of archaeology, art history, and anthropology. It features over 250 artworks from the early 1st millennium B.C.E. to the “golden age” between the 10th and 13th centuries C.E. These include everyday objects and weapons from the early nomads of northern China, such as the Orochen, Xiongnu, Xianbei, and Rouran, presenting not only the ideal relationship between humans and nature but also the nomads’ superb arts and artisanship. READ MORE

“Hunters, Warriors, Spirits: Nomadic Art of North China” Exhibition:
Date: 23 July – 23 October 2022 (Open daily, except Mondays)
Time: 10am to 7pm
Venue: Indra and Harry Banga Gallery at City University of Hong Kong , 18/F, Lau Ming Wai Academic Building
Admission: Free of charge, prior booking is required