Shiji

Author: Sima Qian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-07-01
Features: ▼Complete Content ▼Sandalwood Aroma ▼Compact and Portable ▼Original Illustrations ▼Easy to Carry——Sima Qian, styled Zichang, was a native of Xiayang (now Hancheng, Shaanxi). His father, Sima Tan, possessed extensive knowledge and had studied astronomy with Tang Du, the I Ching with Yang He, and the Daoist doctrines with Huang Zi. He also wrote an essay titled "On the Essentials of the Six Schools," criticizing Confucianism, Mohism, Names, Legalism, and the Yin-Yang school, while completely praising Daoism. This indicates that he was deeply influenced by the prevailing Huang-Lao thought of the time. The clear thinking and critical spirit demonstrated in this essay undoubtedly provided Sima Qian with valuable inspiration for writing biographies of the pre-Qin philosophers and also inevitably influenced his thoughts, character, and academic approach. After Emperor Wu of Han ascended the throne, Sima Tan became the Grand Historian and moved his family to Chang'an for the convenience of his duties. Before this, Sima Qian "farmed and grazed on the sunny slopes of the Yellow River and mountains," helping his family with agricultural labor, while likely having already learned the widely used script of the time—the clerical script.