Zizhi Tongjian (Complete 4 Volumes)

Author: Sima Guang
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2007-01-01
Features: Zizhi Tongjian is a comprehensive annalistic history of China. Zizhi Tongjian is a monumental annalistic history compiled by the renowned ancient Chinese historian Sima Guang and his assistants Liu Yu, Fan Zuyu, and Sima Kang, among others. The historical scope of Zizhi Tongjian extends from the 23rd year of King Weilie of Zhou (403 BC) to the 6th year of Xiangde in the Later Zhou (959 AD). Zizhi Tongjian is a comprehensive annalistic history of China, and in the history of historiography, no other historical work, except Shiji, has been praised as highly as Zizhi Tongjian. Zizhi Tongjian is not only a great work of history but also a great work of literature. In this monumental work, the author employs keen observation and ingenious artistic techniques to vividly depict the tumultuous social life and successfully create numerous lifelike historical figures. Over the course of a thousand years of popularity, the academic and social value of Zizhi Tongjian has been recognized by an increasing number of people. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, especially since the reform and opening-up, numerous editions of Zizhi Tongjian have emerged, but those of high quality are rare, often described as "rare and precious." However, a significant portion of these versions are carelessly produced and irresponsible, either taking excerpts out of context or making arbitrary annotations, misleading readers. Zizhi Tongjian is a collective work of history, with Sima Guang as the chief editor and Liu Yu, Liu Ban, and Fan Zuyu as co-editors. Sima Guang's son, Sima Kang, was responsible for reviewing the text. Originally, Sima Guang intended to name the work Tongzhi, but after Emperor Shenzong ascended the throne, he renamed it Zizhi Tongjian, meaning "to learn from the past for the governance of the present." Zizhi Tongjian covers a history of 1,362 years, from the 23rd year of King Weilie of Zhou (400 BC) to the 6th year of Xiangde in the Later Zhou (959 AD), divided into 294 volumes and over 3 million words, with an additional 30 volumes of Catalogue and 30 volumes of Discussions on Discrepancies. It took 19 years to compile this monumental work. Sima Guang compiled Zizhi Tongjian to consolidate the feudal regime of his time, which determined that the content of the book was primarily political history. He categorized historical monarchs into five categories based on their abilities: founders, successors, decline, revivals, and chaotic downfall. Zizhi Tongjian exposes and condemns certain historical events to serve as a warning for future rulers. Zizhi Tongjian also contains many valuable historical records on military, economic, cultural, academic thought, and historiography. The materials collected in Zizhi Tongjian are extremely rich; it is estimated that the work cites over 300 books. Zizhi Tongjian is an extremely important annalistic history of China, not only providing governance experience for the feudal ruling class but also holding high historical value. The entire work is meticulously organized, with clear chronological sequences and concise language, which has had a profound impact on later historiography. The book records a history of 1,362 years, from the 23rd year of King Weilie of Zhou (403 BC) to the 6th year of Xiangde in the Later Zhou (959 AD). It depicts the historical development from the Warring States period to the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, exploring the rise and fall of unified dynasties such as the Qin, Han, Jin, Sui, and Tang, as well as dozens of regimes like the Seven States of the Warring States, the Three Kingdoms of Wei, Shu, and Wu, the Sixteen Kingdoms of the Five Barbarians, the Northern and Southern Dynasties, and the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms.