Some historians compare the short-lived Sui Dynasty with the Qin Dynasty 秦. Qin as well as Sui preceded a great age of dynasties with a prospering economy and overwhelming culture, and both tried to initiate great reforms without conditions ripe for a change yet. And likewise, the two dynasties by their administratorial reforms prepared the performance of a long-lasting government of the succession dynasties. In the sphere of culture, art, literature and language the Sui Dynasty had the task to reunite the empire after three hundred years of division that had caused great differences in the southern and northern traditions. While the first emperor of Sui, Sui Wendi 隋文帝 (Yang Jian 楊堅), was interpreted by the historians as the great unifier of China, his successor, Sui Yangdi 隋煬帝 who exhausted the state treasure and the labour force of the population by extensive official work (imperial canal 大運河) and successless military enterprises, is blamed as the extravagant and ruthless last dynastic ruler.

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