Lectures on the Study of Ancient Chinese History

Author: Gu Jiegang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-23
Features: This book is the lecture notes of Mr. Gu Jiegang from the 1930s when he taught "Ancient Chinese History" at Peking University. The author cites extensively from ancient texts, providing a detailed examination of the legendary figures such as the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors in the pre-Qin and Han dynasties, categorizing them into seven major classes. He rigorously examines the evolution and historical context of these legendary traditions, overturning their factual claims to restore their legendary status, clarifying the non-historical elements in the ancient historical system, and on this basis, establishing his unique theory of "Layered Construction of Ancient Chinese History," creating a relatively complete and credible historical system. The book is accessible yet profound, with lively and engaging language, making it both entertaining and captivating. Whether for the study of ancient history or classical literature, this book holds significant academic value.