This century is cut in two by the fateful rebellion of An Lu-shan. The first half was a period of halcyon peace and prosperity, hardly affected by the Palace intrigues and massacres that followed the abdication of the Empress Wu. The long reign of the Emperor Ming Huang has some claim to be regarded as the Golden Age of China; for the magnificence of the Court was solidly based on the well-being of the people, and while trade and commerce nourished, the arts of poetry and painting reached a height which has never since been equalled. Buddhism, however, suffered a partial eclipse after its great patroness had passed away; and even in the remote region of Tunhuang a gradual decrease in its influence is clearly observable.