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The Hanshu 漢書 is the official dynastic history of the Former Han dynasty 前漢 (206 BCE-8 CE). It is also the first history concentrating on one single dynasty (duandaishi 斷代史). The first dynastic history of China was the Shiji 史記 "Records of the Grand Scribe", written by Sima Qian 司馬遷. It covers several dynasties (as a tongshi 通史 "universal history") and ranges from the mythological emperors to the Xia 夏 (17th-15th cent. BC), Shang 商 (17th-11th cent.), Zhou 周 (11th cent.-221) and Qin 秦 (221-206) dynasties and ends with the contemporary ruler, Emperor Han Wudi 漢武帝 (r. 141-87) in the year 93 BC. The pattern of Sima Qian's historiographic work was unique and served as model for the official standard histories of the imperial dynasties for the next two thousand years.
The Hanshu was written by Ban Biao 班彪 and his son Ban Gu 班固, a historian who also took part in the compilation of the political compendium Baihutong 白虎通 and the history Dongguan hanji 東觀漢記. Ban Gu thus helped standardizing the style of the official dynastic histories. Like Sima Qian, Ban Gu used the biographical-thematical style (jizhuanti 紀傳體) with four different types of chapters. In the Hanshu the imperial biographies are much more written in an annalistic year-by-year style and report only officially recorded events, while the Shiji, especially in its parts covering the pre-Qin era, is largely anecdotical and narrative. The Hanshu is 100 juan "scrolls" long, of which 12 are imperial biographies (benji 本紀), 8 tables (biao 表), 10 treatises (zhi 志) and 70 normal and collective biographies (liezhuan 列傳). The last chapters of these is a biography of Ban Gu himself. A lot of chapters are divided into two parts (shang 上 "upper" and xia 下 "lower").
The compilation of the Hanshu had been begun by Ban Biao who compiled 65 chapters of a book to be called Houzhuan 後傳 "Later Biographies". It was planned as an appendix or supplement to the Shiji. After the death of his father in 54 CE Ban Gu continued to do this work, but he also changed the work of his father because he thought it not detailed enough. Ban Gu died before the book was completed, and therefore emperor Hedi 漢和帝 (r. 88-105) ordered his sister Ban Zhao 班昭 to complete the missing part of the tables. The missing treatise on astronomy was written by Ma Xuzhong 馬續踵, a disciple of Ban Gu. Ban Zhao has also written the short book Nüjie 女誡 which served for the education of girls in a gentry household.
Although the Shiji served as a general pattern for the Hanshu there are some differences. Ban Gu abbreviated the term benji for the imperial biographies to ji 紀 and called the treatises zhi instead of shu 書. He makes no use of hereditary biographies (shijia 世家) at all, which had served in the Shiji for the feudal states, but also for eminent persons serving the Han dynasty. Such persons, as well as the relatives of empresses, were given a normal liezhuan biography. Ban Gu also abbreviates this term to zhuan. Concerning the collective biographies among the zhuan Ban Gu also established other types than Sima Qian and made not use of many categories the latter had used, like "Humorists", "Assassins", or "Profiteers".
Although the Shiji already covered the first century of the Han dynasty, Ban Gu did not only use the material provided in the Shiji but added other sources or even rearranged the material in a new mode, often in a very style to Sima Qian. This is especially true for events from the time of emperor Han Wudi. In many biographies from that period of time Ban Gu added a lot of source materials, like memorials submitted to the throne. This thoroughly changed the picture of emperor Wudi towards whom Sima Qian was somewhat more critical than Ban Gu.
Among the tables two are especially worth mentioning, namely the table of important persons of past and present (20 Gujin ren biao 古今人表), and the table of holders of position in state offices (19 Baiguan gongqing biao 百官公卿表). The first is unique among the dynastic histories and ranks each person mentioned into one of nine moral categories. The latter is important for our knowledge about the process of appointing officials in early imperial China.
The treatises have attracted the interest of scholars of all times because they provide abundant information about administration, society, economy (24 Shihuo zhi 食貨志), geography (28 Dili zhi 地理志), thought (24 Wuxing zhi 五行志) and literature (30 Yiwen zhi 藝文志) of the Former Han period.
The Hanshu received the attention of contemporaries but it was not easy to read and to understand because it used a lot of outdated characters and styles. The commentaries to the Hanshu therefore were already compiled at the end of the Later Han period, by Xun Yue 荀悅, Fu Min 服虔, Ying Shao 應劭, Fu Yan 伏儼, Liu De 劉德, Master Zheng 鄭氏, Li Pei 李斐, and Li Qi 李奇. They were followed by a lot of commentators from the periods of the Three Kingdoms 三國 (220-280) and the Jin dynasty 晉 (265-316-420): Deng Zhan 鄧展, Wen Ying 文穎, Zhang Ji 張揖, Su Lin 蘇林, Zhang Yan 張晏, Ru Chun 如淳, Meng Kang 孟康, Xiang Zhao 項昭, Wei Shao 韋昭, Jin Zhuo 晉灼, Liu Bao 劉寶, Master Zang 臣瓚, Guo Pu 郭璞, Cai Mo 蔡謨, and Cui Hao 崔浩. During the Tang period 唐 (618-907) Yan Shigu 顔師固 collected and revised all commentaries and created an actualized commentary of the Hanshu. Wang Xianqian 王先謙 undertook a similar work during the Qing period 清 (1644-1911) and published it under the title of Hanshu buzhu 漢書補注. In 1962 the Zhonghua shuju press 中華書局 published a modern edition of the Hanshu, including the commentary of Yan Shigu, with a text-critical work comparing the versions of Wang Xianqian, a print from the Song period 宋 (960-1279), that of Mao Jin's 毛晉 edition in the collectaneum Jiguge congshu 汲古閣叢書 from the Ming period 明 (1368-1644), the edition of the Imperial Library of the Wuying Hall 武英殿 and the print from the Jinling shuju press 金陵書局 from the mid-19th century.
Source: Wu Shuping 吳樹平 (1992). "Hanshu 漢書", in: Zhongguo da baike quanshu 中國大百科全書, Zhongguo lishi 中國歷史, vol. 1, pp. 350 f. Beijing/Shanghai: Zhongguo da baike quanshu chubanshe.
| Chapters of the Hanshu |
1.-12. 紀 Ji Imperial Biographies 1-12:
1. 高帝紀 Han Gaodi (Gaozu) 1-2 (r. 206/02-195 BCE)
2. 惠帝紀 Han Huidi (r. 195-188)
3. 高后紀 Han Gaohou (Empress Lü, r. 187-180)
4. 文帝紀 Han Wendi (r. 180-157)
5. 景帝紀 Han Jingdi (r. 157-141)
6. 武帝紀 Han Wudi (r. 141-87)
7. 昭帝紀 Han Zhaodi (r. 87-74)
8. 宣帝紀 Han Xuandi (r. 74-49)
9. 元帝紀 Han Yuandi (r. 49-33)
10. 成帝紀 Han Chengdi (r. 33-7)
11. 哀帝紀 Han Aidi (r. 7-1 BCE)
12. 平帝紀 Han Pingdi (r. 1 BCE-5 AD)
13.-20. 表 Biao Tables 1-8:
13. 異姓諸侯王表 Princes not related to the imperial house
14. 諸侯王表 Imperial princedoms
15. 王子侯表 Imperial marquisates 1-2
16. 高惠高后文功臣表 High officials from Han Gaozu to Empress Lü
17. 景武昭宣元成功臣表 High officials from Han Jingdi to Han Chengdi
18. 外戚恩澤侯表 Marquisates owned by relatives of imperial consorts
19. 上百官公卿表 The highest ministries 1-2
20. 古今人表 Important persons of past and present
21.-30 志 Zhi Treatises 1-10:
21. 律曆志 Lüli Music measurements and calendar 1-2
22. 禮樂志 Liyue Rites and music philosophy
23. 刑法志 Xingfa Penal law
24. 食貨志 Shihuo Food and commodities 1-2
25. 郊祀志 Jiaosi Sacrifices 1-2
26. 天文志 Tianwen Astronomy
27. 五行志 Wuxing Five processes 1,2 a-b,3 a-b
28. 地理志 Dili Regional administration 1-2
29. 溝洫志 Gouxu Rivers and canals
30. 藝文志 Yiwen Literature
31.-100. 傳 Zhuan Biographies 1-70:
31. 陳勝項籍傳 Chen Sheng and Xiang Ji
32. 張耳陳餘傳 Zhang Er and Chen Yu
33. 魏豹田儋韓王信傳 Wei Bao, Tian Dan and Xin, King of Han
34. 韓彭英盧吳傳 Han [Xin 信], Peng [Yue 越], Ying [Bu 布], Lu [Wan 綰], and Wu [Rui 芮]
35. 荊燕吳傳 The Princes of Jing, Yan and Wu [Liu Pi 劉濞]
36. 楚元王傳 Prince Yuan of Chu, [Liu Xiang 劉向, and Liu Xin 劉歆]
37. 季布欒布田叔傳 Ji Bu, Luan Bu, and Tian Shu
38. 高五王傳 The five princes (sons) of Emperor Gaozu [Liu Fei 劉肥 (Prince Daohui of Qi 齊悼惠王), Liu Ruyi 劉如意 (Prince Yin of Zhao 趙隱王), Liu You 劉友 (Prince You of Zhao 趙幽王), Liu Hui 劉恢 (Prince Gong of Zhao 趙共王), Liu Jian 劉建 (Prince Ling of Yan 燕靈王)]
39. 蕭何曹參傳 Xiao He and Cao Shen
40. 張陳王周傳 Zhang [Liang 良], Chen [Ping 平], Wang [Ling 陵], and Zhou [Bo 勃]
41. 樊酈滕灌傅靳周傳 Fan [Kuai 噲], Li [Shang 商], Teng [Xiahou Ying 夏侯嬰], Guan [Ying 嬰], Fu [Kuan 寬], Jin [She 歙], and Zhou [Xie 緤]
42. 張周趙任申屠傳 Zhang [Cang 蒼], Zhou [Chang 昌], Zhao [Yao 堯], Ren [Ao 敖], and Shentu [Jia 嘉]
43. 酈陸朱劉叔孫傳 Li [Yiji 食其], Lu [Jia 賈], Zhu [Jian 建], Liu (Lou) [Jing 婁敬], and Shusun [Tong 通]
44. 淮南衡山濟北王傳 The princes of Huainan, Hengshan, and Jibei
45. 蒯伍江息夫傳 Kuai [Tong 通], Wu [Bei 被], Jiang [Chong 充], and Xi Fu[gong 躬]
46. 萬石衛直周張傳 [Shi Fen 石奮], Lord of Wanshi, Wei [Wan 綰], Zhi [Buyi 不疑], Zhou [Ren 仁], and Zhang [Ou 歐]
47. 文三王傳 The three princes (sons) of Emperor Wendi [Liu Wu 劉武 (Prince Xiao of Liang 梁孝王), Liu Sen 劉參 (Prince Xiao of Dai 代孝王), Liu Ji 劉揖 (Prince Huai of Liang 梁懷王)]
48. 賈誼傳 Jia Yi
49. 爰盎晁錯傳 Yuan Ang and Chao Cuo
50. 張馮汲鄭傳 Zhang [Shizhi 釋之], Feng [Tang 唐], Ji [An 黯], and Zheng [Dangshi 當時]
51. 賈鄒枚路傳 Jia [Shan 山], Zou [Yang 陽], Mei [Cheng 乘], and Lu [Wenshu 溫舒]
52. 竇田灌韓傳 Dou [Ying 嬰], Tian [Fen 蚡], Guan [Fu 夫], and Han [Anguo 安國]
53. 景十三王傳 The thirteen princes (sons) of Emperor Jingdi [Liu De 劉德 (Prince Xian of Hexian 河間獻王), Liu E 劉閼 (Prince Ai of Linjiang 臨江哀王), Liu Rong 劉榮 (Prince Min of Linjiang 臨江閔王), Liu Yu 劉餘 (Prince Gong of Lu 魯恭王), Liu Fei 劉非 (Prince Yi of Jiangdu 江都易王), Liu Duan 劉端 (Prince Yu of Jiaoxi 膠西于王), Liu Pengzu 劉彭祖 (Prince Jingsu of Zhao 趙敬肅王), Liu Sheng 劉勝 (Prince Jing of Zhongshan 中山靖王), Liu Fa 劉發 (Prince Ding of Changsha 長沙定王), Liu Yue 劉越 (Prince Hui of Guangchuan 廣川惠王), Liu Ji 劉寄 (Prince Kang of Jiaodong 膠東康王), Liu Qing 劉慶 (Prince Gong of Liu'an 六安共王), Liu Cheng 劉乘 (Prince Ai of Qinghe 清河哀王), Liu Shun 劉舜 (Prince Xian of Changshan常山憲王)]
54. 李廣蘇建傳 Li Guang and Su Jian
55. 衛青霍去病傳 Wei Qing and Huo Qubing
56. 董仲舒傳 Dong Zhongshu
57. 司馬相如 Sima Xiangru 1-2
58. 公孫弘卜式兒寬傳 Gongsun Hong, Bu Shi, and Er (Ni) Kuan
59. 張湯傳 Zhang Tang
60. 杜周傳 Du Zhou
61. 張騫李廣利傳 Zhang Jian and Li Guangli
62. 司馬遷傳 Sima Qian
63. 武五子傳 The five princes (sons) of Emperor Wudi [Liu Ju 劉據 (Crown Prince Li 戾太子), Liu Hong 劉閎 (Prince Huai of Qi 齊懷王), Liu Dan 劉旦 (Prince Ci of Yan 燕剌王), Liu Xu 劉胥 (Prince Li of Guangling 廣陵厲王), Prince Bo 劉髆 (Prince Ai of Changyi 昌邑哀王)]
64. 嚴朱吾丘主父徐嚴終王賈傳 Yan [Zhu 助], Zhu [Maichen 買臣], Wuqiu [Shouwang 壽王], Zhufu [Yan 偃], Xu [Yue 樂], Yan [An 安], Zhong [Jun 軍], Wang [Bao 褒], and Jia [Juanzhi 捐之]
65. 東方朔傳 Dongfang Shuo
66. 公孫劉田王楊蔡陳鄭傳 Gongsun [He 賀], Liu [Quli 屈氂], Tian (Ju 車) [Qianqiu 千秋], Wang [Xin 訢], Yang [Chang 敞], Cai [Yi 義], Chen [Wannian 萬年], and Zheng [Hong 弘]
67. 楊胡朱梅云傳 Yang [Wangsun 王孫], Hu [Jian 建], Zhu [Yun 雲], Mei [Fu 福], and Yun [Chang 敞]
68. 霍光金日磾傳 Huo Guang and Jin Midi
69. 趙充國辛慶忌傳 Zhao Chongguo and Xin Qingji
70. 傅常鄭甘陳段傳 Fu [Jiezi 介子], Chang [Hui 惠], Zheng [Ji 吉], Gan [Yannian 延壽], Chen [Tang 湯], and Duan [Huizong 會宗]
71. 雋疏于薛平彭傳 Jun [Buyi 不疑], Shu [Guang 廣 and Shou 受], Yu [Dingguo 定國], Xue [Guangde 廣德], Ping [Dang 當], and Peng [Xuan 宣]
72. 王貢兩龔鮑傳 Wang [Ji 吉], Gong [Yu 禹], Gong [Sheng 勝] and [She 舍], and Bao [Xuan 宣]
73. 韋賢傳 Wei Xian
74. 魏相丙吉傳 Wei Xiang and Bing Ji
75. 眭兩夏侯京翼李傳 Sui [Hong 弘], Xiahou [Shichang 始昌] and [Sheng 勝], Jing [Fang 房], Ji [Feng 奉], and Li [Xun 尋]
76. 趙尹韓張兩王傳 Zhao [Guanghan 廣漢], Yin [Wenggui 翁歸], Han [Yanshou 延壽], Zhang [Chang 敞], Wang [Zun 尊] and [Zhang 章]
77. 蓋諸葛劉鄭孫毋將何傳 Gai [Kuanrao 寬饒], Zhuge [Feng 豐], Liu [Fu 輔], Zheng [Chong 崇], Sun [Bao 寶], Wujiang [Long 隆], and He [Bing 並]
78. 蕭望之傳 Xiao Wangzhi
79. 馮奉世傳 Feng Fengshi
80. 宣元六王傳 The six princes (sons) of emperors Xuandi and Yuandi [Liu Qin 劉欽 (Prince Xian of Huainan 淮陽憲王), Liu Ao 劉囂 (Prince Xiao of Chu 楚孝王), Liu Yu 劉宇 (Prince Si of Dongping 東平思王), Liu Jing 劉竟 (Prince Ai of Zhongshan 中山哀王), Liu Kang 劉康 (Prince Gong of Dingtao 定陶共王), Liu Xing 劉興 (Prince Xiao of Zhongshan 中山孝王)]
81. 匡張孔馬傳 Kuang [Heng 衡], Zhang [Yu 禹], Kong [Guang 光], and Ma [Gong 宮]
82. 王商史丹傅喜傳 Wang Shang, Shi Dan, and Fu Xi
83. 薛宣朱博傳 Xue Xuan and Zhu Bo
84. 翟方進傳 Zhai Fangjin
85. 谷永杜鄴傳 Gu Yong and Du Ye
86. 何武王嘉師丹傳 He Wu, Wang Jia, and Shi Dan
87. 揚雄傳 Yang Xiong 1-2
88. 儒林傳 Rulin The forest of scholars
89. 循吏傳 Xunli Benevolent officials
90. 酷吏傳 Kuli Cruel officials
91. 貨殖傳 Huozhi Profiteers
92. 游俠傳 Youxia Wandering knights
93. 佞幸傳 Ningxing Flatterers
94. 匈奴傳 The Xiongnu [barbarians] 1-2
95. 西南夷兩粵朝鮮傳 Barbarians of the southeast, of [Southern] Yue and [Min-]Yue, and of Korea
96. 西域傳 The Western Territories 1-2
97. 外戚傳 Waiqi Empresses and their clans 1-2
98. 元后傳 The Empress of Yuandi
99. 王莽傳 Wang Mang 1-3
100. 敘傳 Xuzhuan Postface and biography of Ban Gu 1-2 |
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Exemplarious translation:
＜漢書帝紀＞6.＜孝武帝紀第六＞
行遂東巡海上。夏四月癸卯，上還，登封泰山。降坐明堂。
Hanshu, Imperial Biographies: No. 6, Biography of Emperor Wudi, translated by Homer Dubs
The emperor traveled, and then went eastwards, where he passed along and inspected the sea-cost. In the summer, the fourth month, on the day guimao, the emperor returned, and ascended and performed the sacrifice feng upon Mount Tai. The emperor descended the mountain and seated himself in the Clear Hall.
五月，正歷以正月為歲首，色上黃，數用五。定官名，協音律。遣因杅將軍 公孫敖築塞外受降城。秋八月行幸安定，遣貳師將軍李廣利發天下?民西征大宛。蝗從東方飛至敦煌。
In the summer, the fifth month, the emperor corrected the calendar and took the first month as the beginning of the year; among the colors, he took yellow as the ruling color, and among the numbers, he used five. He fixed official titles and harmonized the sounds of the musical pipes. The emperor sent the General of Yinyu, Gongsun Ao, to buld the fortress Shouxiang outside of the barriers. In the autumn, the eight month, the emperor traveled and favored the commandery Anding. He sent the General of Sutrishna (Ershi), Li Guangli, to mobilize the reprobated common people of the empire, to go west and make an expedition against Ferghana (Dayuan). Locusts flew from the eastern quarter and reached Dunhuang commandery.
Translated by Homer Dubs.
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Chinese literature according to the four-category system
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