Title:

Scholars stele at the Temple of Literature, Hanoi

In 1070, Emperor Ly Thanh Tong ordered the creation of the Temple of Literature, Van Mieu. Exams were given to attract the most intelligent Confucian scholars into the government, ensuring a civil service class based on merit rather than social class. From 1484 to 1788, the names of the top examinees were carved on stone steles set upon great turtles. The last imperial exams were given in 1919.

Creator/Contributor:

Clifford, Geoffrey, Photographer

Balaban, John, 1943-, Collaborator

Date:

1995

Contributing Institution:

UC Berkeley, Bancroft Library