Historical Records Stories, Biographies Chapter - Down

Author: Wang Wenxin (Editor)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: Shiji (Records of the Grand Historian) was originally titled Books of the Grand Historian, written by Sima Qian of the Western Han Dynasty. It consists of 130 chapters and is considered China's first comprehensive historical record in the Annals and Biographies style. It was completed approximately between the first year of the Taichu era of Emperor Wu of Han (104 BCE) and the second year of the Zhenghe era (91 BCE). Sima Qian held the position of Grand Historian. Based on Zuo Zhuan (Zuo's Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals), Guoyu (Discourses of the States), Shiben (Genealogies), Zhan Guo Ce (Strategies of the Warring States), Chu Han Chunqiu (Spring and Autumn Annals of Chu and Han), and other works of the Hundred Schools of Thought, he utilized state-collected documents and supplemented them with field investigation materials, resulting in a rich source of information. The narrative begins with the legendary Yellow Emperor and ends with Emperor Wu of Han, covering approximately 3,000 years in total, with particular emphasis on the Warring States period, the Qin Dynasty, and the Han Dynasty. The structure includes Annals, Biographies, Hereditary Houses, and Genealogies. Eight Annals record the evolution of institutions and regulations, while ten Tables outline the chronological development of historical events, a format adopted by subsequent dynasties. Shiji is also highly regarded in literary history for its vivid and vivid portrayal of certain historical figures, making it a significant work in literature.