Contents

Book of Han

漢書

汉书

Hàn shū

Hàn shū

Han⁴ shu¹

[xân ʂú]

Hon syū

Hon3 syu1

Hàn-tsu (col.)
Hàn-su (lit.)

xàn sho

*n̥ˤar-s s-ta

The Book of Han is a history of China finished in 111 CE, covering the Western, or Former Han dynasty from the first emperor in 206 BCE to the fall of Wang Mang in 23 CE.^[1] The work was composed by Ban Gu (32–92 CE), an Eastern Han court official, with the help of his sister Ban Zhao, continuing the work of their father, Ban Biao. They modelled their work on the Records of the Grand Historian (c. 91 BCE),^[2] a cross-dynastic general history, but theirs was the first in this annals-biography form to cover a single dynasty. It is the best source, sometimes the only one, for many topics such as literature in this period. The Book of Han is also called the Book of the Former Han (前漢書; Qián Hàn shū) to distinguish it from the Book of the Later Han (後漢書; Hòu Hàn shū) which covers the Eastern Han period (25–220 CE), and was composed in the fifth century by Fan Ye (398–445 CE).^[3]

Contents[edit]

This history developed from a continuation of Sima Qian's Records of the Grand Historian, initiated by Ban Gu's father, Ban Biao, at the beginning of the Later Han dynasty. This work is usually referred to as Later Traditions (後傳), which indicates that the elder Ban's work was meant to be a continuation. Other scholars of the time, including Liu Xin and Yang Xiong also worked on continuations of Sima's history. After Ban Biao's death, his eldest son Ban Gu was dissatisfied with what his father had completed, and he began a new history that started with the beginning of the Han dynasty. This distinguished it from Sima Qian's history, which had begun with China's earliest legendary rulers. In this way, Ban Gu initiated the Jizhuanti (紀傳體，纪传体) format for dynastic histories that was to remain the model for the official histories until modern times.

For the periods where they overlapped, Ban Gu adopted nearly verbatim much of Sima Qian's material, though in some cases he also expanded it. He also incorporated at least some of what his father had written, though it is difficult to know how much. The completed work ran to a total of 100 fascicles 卷, and included essays on law, science, geography, and literature. Ban Gu's younger sister Ban Zhao finished writing the book in 111, 19 years after Ban Gu had died in prison. An outstanding scholar in her own right, she is thought to have written volumes 13–20 (eight chronological tables) and 26 (treatise on astronomy), the latter with the help of Ma Xu. As with the Records of the Grand Historian, Zhang Qian, a notable Chinese general who travelled to the west, was a key source for the cultural and socio-economic data on the Western Regions contained in the 96th fascicle. The "Annals" section and the three chapters covering the reign of Wang Mang were translated into English by Homer H. Dubs.^[4] Other chapters have been rendered into English by A. F. P. Hulsewé, Clyde B. Sargent, Nancy Lee Swann, and Burton Watson.

The text includes a description of the Triple Concordance Calendar System 三統曆 developed by Liu Xin in fascicle 21. This is translated to English by Cullen.^[5]

Ban Gu's history set the standard for the writings of later Chinese dynasties, and today it is a reference used to study the Han period. It is regarded as one of the "Four Histories" 四史 of the Twenty-Four Histories canon, together with the Records of the Grand Historian, Records of the Three Kingdoms and History of the Later Han.

Annals[edit]

Ji (紀, annal), 12 volumes. Emperors' biographies in strict annal form, which offer a chronological overview of the most important occurrences, as seen from the imperial court.

Title (English)

Volume 1 (Part 1), Volume 1 (Part 2)

高帝紀

Annals of Emperor Gaozu, 206–195 BCE

Volume 2

惠帝紀

Annals of Emperor Hui, 194–188 BCE

Volume 3

高后紀

Annals of Empress Lü Zhi (regent 195–180 BCE)

Volume 4

文帝紀

Annals of Emperor Wen, 179–157 BCE

Volume 5

景帝紀

Annals of Emperor Jing, 156–141 BCE

Volume 6

武帝紀

Annals of Emperor Wu, 140–87 BCE

Volume 7

昭帝紀

Annals of Emperor Zhao, 86–74 BCE

Volume 8

宣帝紀

Annals of Emperor Xuan, 73–49 BCE

Volume 9

元帝紀

Annals of Emperor Yuan, 48–33 BCE

Volume 10

成帝紀

Annals of Emperor Cheng, 32–7 BCE

Volume 11

哀帝紀

Annals of Emperor Ai, 6–1 BCE

Volume 12

平帝紀

Annals of Emperor Ping, 1 BCE – 5 CE

Chronological tables[edit]

Biao (表, tables), 8 volumes. Chronological tables of important people.

Title (English)

Volume 13

異姓諸侯王表

Table of nobles not related to the imperial clan

Volume 14

諸侯王表

Table of nobles related to the imperial clan

Volume 15

王子侯表

Table of sons of nobles

Volume 16

高惠高后文功臣表

Table of meritorious officials during the reigns of (Emperors) Gao, Hui, Wen and Empress Gao

Volume 17

景武昭宣元成功臣表

Table of meritorious officials during the reigns of (Emperors) Jing, Wu, Zhao, Xuan, Yuan and Cheng

Volume 18

外戚恩澤侯表

Table of nobles from families of the imperial consorts

Volume 19

百官公卿表

Table of nobility ranks and government offices

Volume 20

古今人表

Prominent people from the past until the present

Treatises[edit]

Zhi (志, memoirs), 10 volumes. Each treatise describes an area of effort of the state.

Title (English)

Volume 21

律曆志

Treatise on Rhythm and the Calendar

Volume 22

禮樂志

Treatise on Rites and Music

Volume 23

刑法志

Treatise on Punishment and Law

Volume 24 (Part 1), Volume 24 (Part 2)

食貨志

Treatise on Foodstuffs

Volume 25 (Part 1), Volume 25 (Part 2)

郊祀志

Treatise on Sacrifices

Volume 26

天文志

Treatise on Astronomy

Volume 27 (Part 1), Volume 27 (Part 2), Volume 27 (Part 3), Volume 27 (Part 4), Volume 27 (Part 5)

五行志

Treatise on the Five Elements

Volume 28 (Part 1), Volume 28 (Part 2)

地理志

Treatise on Geography

Volume 29

溝洫志

Treatise on Rivers and Canals

Volume 30

藝文志

Treatise on Literature

Biographies[edit]

Zhuan (傳, exemplary traditions, usually translated as biographies), 70 volumes. Biographies of important people. The biographies confine themselves to the description of events that clearly show the exemplary character of the person. Two or more people are treated in one main article, as they belong to the same class of people. The last articles describe the relations between China and the various peoples at and beyond the frontiers, including the contested areas of Ba in present-day Yunnan; Nanyue in present-day Guangdong, Guangxi, and Vietnam; and Minyue in present-day Fujian.^[6]

Title (English)

Volume 31

陳勝項籍傳

Chen Sheng and Xiang Yu

Volume 32

張耳陳餘傳

Zhang Er and Chen Yu

Volume 33

魏豹田儋韓王信傳

Wei Bao, Tian Dan and Hán Xin (King of Han)

Volume 34

韓彭英盧吳傳

Han, Peng, Ying, Lu and Wu – Han Xin, Peng Yue, Ying Bu, Lu Wan and Wu Rui (吳芮)

Volume 35

荊燕吳傳

the Princes of Jing, Yan and Wu

Volume 36

楚元王傳

Prince Yuan of Chu – Liu Xiang and Liu Xin

Volume 37

季布欒布田叔傳

Ji Bu, Luan Bu and Tian Shu

Volume 38

高五王傳

the five sons of Emperor Gao

Volume 39

蕭何曹參傳

Xiao He and Cao Shen

Volume 40

張陳王周傳

Zhang, Chen, Wang and Zhou – Zhang Liang, Chen Ping, Wang Ling (王陵) and Zhou Bo

Volume 41

樊酈滕灌傅靳周傳

Fan, Li, Teng, Guan, Fu, Jin and Zhou – Fan Kuai, Li Shang (酈商), Xiahou Ying, Guan Ying (灌嬰), Fu Kuan, Jin She (靳歙) and Zhou Xue (周緤)

Volume 42

張周趙任申屠傳

Zhang, Zhou, Zhao, Ren and Shentu – Zhang Cang (張蒼), Zhou Chang (周昌), Zhao Yao (趙堯), Ren Ao (任敖) and Shentu Jia (申屠嘉)

Volume 43

酈陸朱劉叔孫傳

Li, Lu, Zhu, Liu and Shusun – Li Yiji (酈食其), Lu Gu (陸賈), Zhu Jian (朱建), Lou Jing (婁敬) and Shusun Tong (叔孫通)

Volume 44

淮南衡山濟北王傳

the kings of Huainan, Hengshan and Jibei

Volume 45

蒯伍江息夫傳

Kuai, Wu, Jiang and Xifu – Kuai Tong (蒯通), Wu Bei (伍被), Jiang Chong (江充) and Xifu Gong (息夫躬)

Volume 46

萬石衛直周張傳

the lords of Wan, Wei, Zhi, Zhou and Zhang – Shi Fen (石奮), Wei Wan (衛綰), Zhi Buyi (直不疑), Zhou Ren (周仁) and Zhang Ou (張歐)

Volume 47

文三王傳

the three sons of Emperor Wen

Volume 48

賈誼傳

Jia Yi

Volume 49

爰盎晁錯傳

Yuan Ang and Chao Cuo

Volume 50

張馮汲鄭傳

Zhang, Feng, Ji and Zheng – Zhang Shizhi (張釋之), Feng Tang (馮唐), Ji An (汲黯) and Zheng Dangshi (鄭當時)

Volume 51

賈鄒枚路傳

Jia, Zou, Mei and Lu – Jia Shan (賈山, Zou Yang (鄒陽), Mei Cheng (枚乘) and Lu Wenshu (路溫舒)

Volume 52

竇田灌韓傳

Dou, Tian, Guan and Han – Dou Ying (竇嬰), Tian Fen (田蚡), Guan Fu (灌夫) and Han Anguo (韓安國)

Volume 53

景十三王傳

the thirteen sons of Emperor Jing

Volume 54

李廣蘇建傳

Li Guang and Su Jian

Volume 55

衛青霍去病傳

Wei Qing and Huo Qubing

Volume 56

董仲舒傳

Dong Zhongshu

Volume 57 (Part 1), Volume 57 (Part 2)

司馬相如傳

Sima Xiangru

Volume 58

公孫弘卜式兒寬傳

Gongsun Hong, Bu Shi and Er Kuan

Volume 59

張湯傳

Zhang Tang

Volume 60

杜周傳

Du Zhou

Volume 61

張騫李廣利傳

Zhang Qian and Li Guangli

Volume 62

司馬遷傳

Sima Qian

Volume 63

武五子傳

the five sons of Emperor Wu

Volume 64 (Part 1), Volume 64 (Part 2)

嚴朱吾丘主父徐嚴終王賈傳

Yan, Zhu, Wuqiu, Zhufu, Xu, Yan, Zhong, Wang and Jia – Yan Zhu (嚴助), Zhu Maichen (朱買臣), Wuqiu Shouwang (吾丘壽王), Zhufu Yan (主父偃), Xu Yue (徐樂), Yan An (嚴安), Zhong Jun (終軍), Wang Bao (王褒) and Jia Juanzhi (賈捐之); two parts

Volume 65

東方朔傳

Dongfang Shuo

Volume 66

公孫劉田王楊蔡陳鄭傳

Gongsun, Liu, Tian, Wang, Yang, Cai, Chen and Zheng – Gongsun He (公孫賀), Liu Quli (劉屈氂), Tian Qiuqian (田千秋), Wang Xin (王訢), Yang Chang (楊敞), Cai Yi (蔡義), Chen Wannian (陳萬年) and Zheng Hong (鄭弘)

Volume 67

楊胡朱梅云傳

Yang, Hu, Zhu, Mei and Yun – Yang Wangsun (楊王孫), Hu Jian (胡建), Zhu Yun (朱雲), Mei Fu (梅福) and Yun Chang (云敞)

Volume 68

霍光金日磾傳

Huo Guang and Jin Midi

Volume 69

趙充國辛慶忌傳

Zhao Chongguo and Xin Qingji

Volume 70

傅常鄭甘陳段傳

Fu, Chang, Zheng, Gan, Chen and Duan – Fu Jiezi, Chang Hui (常惠), Zheng Ji, Gan Yannian (甘延壽), Chen Tang and Duan Huizong (段會宗)

Volume 71

雋疏于薛平彭傳

Jun, Shu, Yu, Xue, Ping and Peng – Jun Buyi (雋不疑), Shu Guang (疏廣) and Shu Shou (疏受), Yu Dingguo (于定國), Xue Guangde (薛廣德), Ping Dang (平當) and Peng Xuan (彭宣)

Volume 72

王貢兩龔鮑傳

Wang, Gong, two Gongs and Bao – Wang Ji (王吉), Gong Yu (貢禹), Gong Sheng (龔勝) and Gong She (龔舍) and Bao Xuan

Volume 73

韋賢傳

Wei Xian

Volume 74

魏相丙吉傳

Wei Xiang and Bing Ji

Volume 75

眭兩夏侯京翼李傳

Sui, two Xiahous, Jing, Ji and Li – Sui Hong (眭弘), Xiahou Shichang (夏侯始昌) and Xiahou Sheng (夏侯勝), Jing Fang (京房), Ji Feng (翼奉) and Li Xun (李尋)

Volume 76

趙尹韓張兩王傳

Zhao, Yin, Han, Zhang and two Wangs – Zhao Guanghan (趙廣漢), Yin Wenggui (尹翁歸), Han Yanshou (韓延壽), Zhang Chang (張敞), Wang Zun (王尊) and Wang Zhang (王章)

Volume 77

蓋諸葛劉鄭孫毋將何傳

Gai, Zhuge, Liu, Zheng, Sun, Wujiang and He – Gai: Gai Kuanrao (蓋寬饒), Zhuge: Zhuge Feng (諸葛豐), Liu: Liu Fu (劉輔), Zheng: Zheng Chong (鄭崇), Sun: Sun Bao (孫寶), Wujiang: Wujiang Long (毋將隆), He: He Bing (何並)

Volume 78

蕭望之傳

Xiao Wangzhi

Volume 79

馮奉世傳

Feng Fengshi

Volume 80

宣元六王傳

the six sons of Emperors Xuan and Yuan

Volume 81

匡張孔馬傳

Kuang, Zhang, Kong and Ma – Kuang Heng (匡衡), Zhang Yu (張禹), Kong Guang (孔光) and Ma Gong (馬宮)

Volume 82

王商史丹傅喜傳

Wang Shang, Shi Dan and Fu Xi

Volume 83

薛宣朱博傳

Xue Xuan and Zhu Bo

Volume 84

翟方進傳

Zhai Fangjin

Volume 85

谷永杜鄴傳

Gu Yong and Du Ye

Volume 86

何武王嘉師丹傳

He Wu, Wang Jia and Shi Dan

Volume 87 (Part 1), Volume 87 (Part 2)

揚雄傳

Yang Xiong

Volume 88

儒林傳

Confucian Scholars

Volume 89

循吏傳

Upright Officials

Volume 90

酷吏傳

Cruel Officials

Volume 91

貨殖傳

Usurers

Volume 92

游俠傳

Youxias

Volume 93

佞幸傳

Flatterers

Volume 94 (Part 1), Volume 94 (Part 2)

匈奴傳

Traditions of the Xiongnu

Volume 95

西南夷兩粵朝鮮傳

Traditions of the Yi of the southeast, the two Yues, and Joseon (Korea) – Nanyue and Min Yue

Volume 96 (Part 1), Volume 96 (Part 2)

西域傳

Traditions of the Western Regions

Volume 97 (Part 1), Volume 97 (Part 2)

外戚傳

the Empresses and Imperial Affines

Volume 98

元后傳

Wang Zhengjun

Volume 99 (Part 1), Volume 99 (Part 2), Volume 99 (Part 3)

王莽傳

Wang Mang

Volume 100 (Part 1), Volume 100 (Part 2)

敘傳

Afterword and Family History

Mention of Japan[edit]

The people of Japan make their first unambiguous appearance in written history in this book (Book of Han, Volume 28, Treatise on Geography), in which it is recorded, "The people of Wo are located across the ocean from Lelang Commandery, are divided into more than one hundred tribes, and come to offer tribute from time to time." It is later recorded that in 57, the southern Wa kingdom of Na sent an emissary named Taifu to pay tribute to Emperor Guangwu and received a golden seal. The seal itself was discovered in northern Kyūshū in the 18th century.^[7] According to the Book of Wei, the most powerful kingdom on the archipelago in the third century was called Yamatai and was ruled by the legendary Queen Himiko.

Commentaries[edit]

The comments of both Yan Shigu (581–645) and Su Lin are included in the Palace Edition. The Hanshu Buzhu 漢書補注 by Wang Xianqian^[8] (1842–1918) contains notes by a number commentators, including Wang himself. Hanshu Kuiguan 漢書管窺 by Yang Shuda^[9] is a modern commentary.

See also[edit]

History

Books

References[edit]

Citations[edit]

Sources[edit]

Works cited

Further reading[edit]

• Amies, Alex (2020). Hanshu Volume 95 The Southwest Peoples, Two Yues, and Chaoxian: Translation with Commentary. Gutenberg Self Publishing Press. ISBN 978-0-9833348-7-3.
• Dorn'eich, Chris M. (2008). Chinese sources on the History of the Niusi-Wusi-Asi(oi)-Rishi(ka)-Arsi-Arshi-Ruzhi and their Kueishuang-Kushan Dynasty. Shiji 110/Hanshu 94A: The Xiongnu: Synopsis of Chinese original Text and several Western Translations with Extant Annotations. Berlin. To read or download go to: [1]
• Dubs, Homer H. (trans.) The History of the Former Han Dynasty. 3 vols. Baltimore: Waverly, 1938–55. Digitized text. (Digitized text does not retain volume or page numbers and alters Dubs' footnote numbering.) Glossary.
• Honey, David B. "The Han shu Manuscript Evidence, and the Textual Criticism of the Shih-chi: The Case of the Hsiung-nu lieh-chuan", CLEAR 21 (1999), 67–97.
• Hulsewe, A. F .P. "A Striking Discrepancy between the Shih chi and the Han shu." T'oung Pao 76.4–5 (1990): 322–23.
• Hulsewé, A. F. P. (1993). ""Han shu 漢書"". In Loewe, Michael (ed.). Early Chinese Texts – A Bibliographical Guide. Berkeley, CA: Society for the Study of Early China & Institute of East Asian Studies, University of California Berkeley. pp. 129–136. ISBN 1-55729-043-1.
• Hulsewé, A. F. P. and Loewe, M. A. N. China in Central Asia: The Early Stage 125 BC – AD 23: an annotated translation of chapters 61 and 96 of the History of the Former Han Dynasty. Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1979.
• Knechtges, David R. (2010). "Han shu 漢書". In Knechtges, David R.; Chang, Taiping (eds.). Ancient and Early Medieval Chinese Literature: A Reference Guide, Part One. Leiden, South Holland: Brill. pp. 339–45. ISBN 978-90-04-19127-3.
• Sargent, Cyde B., Tr. Wang Mang; A Translation of the Official Account of His Rise to Power as Given in the History of the Former Han Dynasty, with Introd. and Notes. Shanghai: Graphic Art Book Co., 1947.
• Schaab-Hanke, Dorothee. Review of 'Politik und Geschichtsschreibung im alten China: Pan-ma i-t’ung 班馬異同' by Hans van Ess (Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz, 2014). T’oung Pao 102-1-3 (2016), pp. 225-235.
• Swann, Nancy Lee, tr. Food and Money in Ancient China: The Earliest Economic History of China to A.D. 25. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1950; rpt. New York: Octagon Books, 1974.
• Stange, Hans O.H.『Die monographie über Wang Mang.』Abhandlungen für die kunde des morgenlandes XXIII, 3, 1939.
• Stange, Hans O.H. Leben und persünlichkeit und werk Wang Mangs. Berlin, 1914.
• Tinios, Ellis. "Sure Guidance for One's Own Time: Pan Ku and the Tsan to Han-shu 94." Early China 9–10 (1983–85): 184–203.
• Van der Sprenkel, O. B. Pan Piao, Pan Ku, and the Han History. Centre for Oriental Studies Occasional Paper, no. 3. Canberra: Australian National University, 1964.
• Watson, Burton. 1974. Courtier and Commoner in Ancient China. Selections from the History of the Former Han. Columbia University Press, New York. (A translation of chapters 54, 63, 65, 67, 68, 71, 74, 78, 92, and 97).
• Wilbur, C. Martin. Slavery in China during the Former Han Dynasty, 206 B.C.–A.D. 25. Publications of Field Museum of Natural History, Anthropological Series, 35. Chicago: Field Museum of Natural History, 1943. Reprint. New York: Russell & Russell, 1967. Selected translations from the Han shu.
• Wu, Shuping, "Hanshu" ("Book of Han"). Encyclopedia of China (Chinese Literature Edition), 1st ed.
• Yap, Joseph P. (2019). The Western Regions, Xiongnu and Han, from the Shiji, Hanshu and Hou Hanshu. Amazon Digital Services LLC - KDP Print US. ISBN 978-1792829154.

External links[edit]

Chinese Wikisource has original text related to this article:

漢書

• Book of Han (Full text) – Chinese Text Project
• Silk Road Seattle (The Silk Road Seattle website contains many useful resources including a number of full-text historical works, maps, photos, etc.)
• Book of Han《漢書》 Chinese text with matching English vocabulary