Han Dynasty urban society

Author: Zhang Jihai
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: This book focuses on the urban society of the Han Dynasty as the research subject, using the material environment of Han Dynasty cities and the urban-rural settlement patterns as the foundation and support for the study. It comprehensively reveals the general material structure and internal functional zoning of Han Dynasty cities, highlighting the close relationship between this material structure and urban social life. It preliminarily examines the living conditions of different occupational groups in Han Dynasty cities, the significant differences between commercial metropolises and ordinary cities in terms of social appearance and economic nature, and the various social problems existing in large cities. It also focuses on exploring the important roles played by the market and schools in urban life and urban social development, and proposes a relatively comprehensive understanding of the urban-rural relationship in the Han Dynasty.
Methodologically, this book primarily employs historical methods, with arguments derived from historical materials. It conducts objective and scientific analysis of these materials, adhering to the principle of "one part of evidence, one part of argument." In the use of materials, it emphasizes the combination of literature and archaeology, particularly the integration of multiple literary sources with various archaeological findings. Additionally, it also incorporates epigraphic materials that fall between literature and archaeology.
The first half of the book extensively uses the example method, which can be divided into two categories: one is to list several similar examples, and the other is to select a small number of typical examples for in-depth analysis. The former can be referred to as "breadth," while the latter as "depth." Using depth to illuminate breadth helps deepen the understanding of the truth of things. Of course, for the few counterexamples that exist, the author will also handle them with caution.