NOVA Season 13 Episode 13 Horsemen of China

In the thirteenth season of NOVA, the episode named Horsemen of China takes the viewers on a journey to explore the ancient and rich history of horsemanship in China. The episode is a brilliant depiction of how horses were integral to Chinese civilization and played a vital role in the country's culture, trade, and warfare.

The episode starts with a visit to the grasslands of Inner Mongolia, where the horses are used by the local nomadic tribes for travelling, hunting, and transportation since ancient times. The show highlights the natural beauty of the vast prairies and how it influenced the nomads' relationship with horses.

The viewers are then transported to the Chinese city of Xi'an, where they witness the amazing Terracotta Army, an army of over 8,000 life-size clay soldiers, chariots, and horses, commissioned by Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi over 2,000 years ago. The show traces back the history of the Emperor and how he was the first to unify China and standardize its laws, currency, and language. The army was created to protect his mausoleum and symbolize his power and authority. NOVA's Horsemen of China episode unravels the mysteries of the Terracotta Army and the horses that were an integral part of this massive undertaking.

Next, the show takes us on a visit to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE), which was a Golden Age for Chinese arts, culture, and science. The episode focuses on the famous Chinese painter and calligrapher, Han Gan, who was known for his lifelike portraits of horses. The Horsemen of China bring the viewers on a tour of the cave temple of Dunhuang, where some of Han Gan's paintings still exist.

NOVA's Horsemen of China also tells the story of the legendary horse story of the West Market, a Tang dynasty tale of a prized horse stolen from the traders in the marketplace and smuggled out of the city. The tale of the West Market and how the horse was eventually returned to its rightful owners is a part of Tang dynasty folklore and exemplifies the importance of horses in ancient China.

The show's focus then shifts to the Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE), which was a time of great economic prosperity. The Song Dynasty was responsible for developing new technologies and improving trade and transportation in the country. The Horsemen of China explain how the Northern Song Dynasty developed a series of relay stations called "posthouses" along the Grand Canal to speed up the postal system.

One of the most famous Chinese poets of the Song Dynasty, Su Shi, wrote a poem about his travels from the capital to the south of China. The poem describes the journey's hardships and how they relied on their horses to carry them through the snow, rain, and flooded rivers.

NOVA's Horsemen of China concludes with the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 CE). The Ming Dynasty was a time of great prosperity for China, and Emperor Yongle was known for his many achievements, including commanding one of the largest fleets in the world, including the Treasure Ship fleet, which set sail to Southeast Asia, India, and the Middle East.

The episode follows the story of his eunuch, Zheng He, who was a great admiral and explorer. Called "the king of overseas," Zheng He made seven voyages between 1405 and 1433 CE to Southeast Asia, India, and even Africa. The Horsemen of China captures the century when horses were transported to China and relishes the new crossbred stock to met with the officers' demands who wanted robust horses to take with them on naval expeditions.

NOVA's Horsemen of China is an insightful and informative documentary that gives the viewers a glimpse into a time when horses were worshipped, treasured, and celebrated in Chinese civilization. From emperors and poets to admirals and traders, the episode highlights the pivotal role horses played in shaping China's vibrant culture and history.