From a political history viewpoint, the period can be divided into three: the Early Stage from the transfer of the capital to Heijokyo in 710 to Nagayao no hen (conspiracy of Prince Nagaya) in 729, the Middle Stage from the arbitrary exertion of power by four brothers of the Fujiwara family to the rebellion by FUJIWARA no Nakamaro in 764, and the Later Stage from administration by Dokyo and the Empress Koken (also known as Shotoku) onwards.
政治史的には、710年の平城京遷都から729年の長屋王の変までを前期、藤原四兄弟の専権から764年の藤原仲麻呂の乱までを中期、孝謙天皇称徳天皇および道鏡の執政以降を後期に細分できる。