The Construction of Space in Early China

The book explores the intricate relationship between spatial organization and the formation of the Chinese empire, focusing on how various units—such as the human body, household, city, region, and world—were redefined during the unification process. It emphasizes that while striving for unity, each spatial level retained the smaller units that contributed to its structure, creating a complex hierarchy. Mark Edward Lewis illustrates how this tension between unity and division was essential for maintaining order and avoiding a return to chaos, highlighting the nuanced dynamics of imperial organization.