HISTORY 3EC3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Sima Qian, Emperor Wu Of Han, Northwest China
19 Jun 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
SeungJoon SUNG
East Asian Cultures (Chin)
TuTh 12:30-1:45pm
Sept/27/2012
#8 Reading & Class Notes for Sept 27
Early Han Dynasty
207 BCE – 220 ACE
Gaozu: First emperor (used to be lieutenant of Zhou)
Foundation to take over was largely in place (unified, standard measurement, roads, etc.)
Restoration of Religions
Confucianism was made state orthodoxy (ended Legalism)
Recompiled 5 classics through hidden existing texts or oral transmission
Religious Daoism flourishes as Daoism is also reconstructed
Historical Archives
Han is mainly known for its historical archives
147-87 BCE: Han Wudi (emperor)
145-85 BCE: Sima Qian (great historian; travelled throughout China)
Civil Service Exam (CSE)
Established CSE based on 5 classics
Gave illusion that anyone could serve (although only rich know how to read and write)
Expansion
Expanded China near to modern borders
Sent Zhong Qian from Changan (Xian) to Yuezhi to ally against Xiongnu
Captured for 10 years Escaped Took back historical/geographical/cultural data back
Silk Road
Generals were sent to acquire horses in exchange for silk
These tribes traded the silk for other goods Resulted in roads leading from Rome to China
China knew more about Rome (Rome thought China was near Ethiopia)
Religion, commodities, and philosophies exchanged
Northwestern China
Expanded NW parts incorporated into China
Those not incorporated were appeased through trade upset the incorporated areas
1
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Later Han Dynasty
23-220 ACE
Capital moved East to Luoyang
Culture
Scientific inventions (water clock, steel, firecrackers/gunpowder, paper, etc.)
Cultural prosperity (poetry, silk paintings, etc.)
Rebellions
Expeditions, history, inventions, etc. drained treasury taxes discontent
Yellow Turban (184 ACE): most powerful & last rebellion; used yellow banners and red text
Falun Gung: claimed to be religious group; severely persecuted; used same colors
Confucius
551-479 BCE
Born in Lu (eastern China)
Kong Qiu Kong Fuzi (our master kong) Confucius
Ru = Confucianism (soft, gentle, enduring, weak … followers were identified as ru)
Travelled across many states, looking for someone who shared his vision (ru)
Eventually failed became a teacher (after his death, his ideas survived)
Confucius’s ideas were too abstract for politicians to use Mencius (later) was more practical
Moral Nobility (junzi)
“gentleman” or “son of a lord”
Implies egalitarian principles (anyone could become a junzi)
Filial devotion, humaneness, ritual decorum (also Confucius’s govt. views)
Li: Rule by virtue (not harsh punishment)
Think long term and big, instead of looking for small advantages
Everyone qualifies for an education (no class distinctions)
Heaven has a place for everyone, and sacrifice as if they were present
Ruler should treat the people as he wants to be treated
5 Relationships
Confucius stressed Li and Reciprocity
1) Ruler/Subject
2) Old/Young
3) Father/Son (filial)
4) Brothers
5) Husband/Wife
Women: Respect father marry Respect husband Husband dies Respect son
5 Classics
Was written before Confucius, but Confucius compiled them
1) Book of Rites
2) Book of Poetry (those who studied the first two books were superior men)
2
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
#8 reading & class notes for sept 27. Gaozu: first emperor (used to be lieutenant of zhou) Foundation to take over was largely in place (unified, standard measurement, roads, etc. ) Recompiled 5 classics through hidden existing texts or oral transmission. Religious daoism flourishes as daoism is also reconstructed. Han is mainly known for its historical archives. 145-85 bce: sima qian (great historian; travelled throughout china) Gave illusion that anyone could serve (although only rich know how to read and write) Sent zhong qian from changan (xian) to yuezhi to ally against xiongnu. Captured for 10 years escaped took back historical/geographical/cultural data back. Generals were sent to acquire horses in exchange for silk. These tribes traded the silk for other goods resulted in roads leading from rome to china. China knew more about rome (rome thought china was near ethiopia) Those not incorporated were appeased through trade upset the incorporated areas. Scientific inventions (water clock, steel, firecrackers/gunpowder, paper, etc. )
