Si-Ma Qian's History

Paper Summary:

This paper introduces Sima Qian's contribution through the example of "The Prince of Wei" which, typically, uses a biographical approach to events and great men. The paper reviews the document, it emphasizes principle, and reflects on the writer's historian approach, a few of his life events, and his view of the Han Empire as what would be known as 'China. It makes several references to Confucius.

From the Paper:

"Si-ma Qian's History through Biography and its Artistic Appeal. Introduction Si-ma Qian (c. 145-86 BCE) is remembered for his Historical Records or `Shi-ji', as compares with the epic works of Greek or Roman historians. (Owen 135) When examining informal accounts of his life, he was more than one referred to as a Chinese Herodotus. One finds in his biographical approach to history tales of great men of old, of philosophical principle in combination with dramatic events, so that different chronicles present their moral meanings. At every turn, ideals are central to the Records that should remain of interest for this moral approach."

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