History of the Pre-Qin Period cover

History of the Pre-Qin Period

Rating 4.0
Word count
372K words
Chapters
68
ISBN
9787532594696

Tags

Summary

Pre-Qin History is the first volume in Lü Simian's series of Chinese dynastic histories. First published in 1941, it remains one of the most fundamental reference works for the study of ancient and pre-Qin history. The first half is political history, arranged in the order of historical events; the second half is social, economic, and cultural history, presented by category. "On ancient historical materials, ancient chronology, the origin and westward migration of Chinese clans, ancient territory, and the systems of officialdom and learning, I consider it rather good"—the book has become a classic in academic history.

Editor's review

Lü Simian's Pre-Qin History opens his series of dynastic histories and stands as a foundational work of modern Chinese historiography. Rather than merely cataloguing events, it takes the transformation of social structure as its main thread, probing the evolution of civilization from remote antiquity to the eve of Qin unification. Applying the "dual evidence method," Lü cross-checks transmitted texts against archaeological findings to reconstruct a true picture of pre-Qin society. His analyses of the patriarchal clan system, the feudal order, and economic forms are especially incisive, revealing the inner logic of Zhou ritual and musical civilization and the roots of its collapse. The greatest value of reading this book lies in helping readers break free from the "dynastic succession" narrative framework and understand the early formation of Chinese civilization through multiple dimensions—social organization, economic foundations, and the evolution of thought. Lü Simian's style combines academic rigor with readability: though it involves extensive textual criticism, a problem-oriented awareness runs throughout, giving remote ancient history a clear chain of logic.

Who it's for

A good fit for

  • Historical researchers interested in the evolution of ancient Chinese social formations
  • Readers of history and literature who wish to understand systematically the origins of Chinese civilization
  • University history students in need of foundational primary literature on pre-Qin history
  • Thinkers seeking to understand Chinese tradition from a long-duration perspective

Not a good fit for

  • Casual readers seeking light, entertaining historical stories
  • Readers interested only in the diplomatic intrigues of the Warring States who disregard social analysis

Reading tips

  1. Begin with the introduction to grasp the book's methodology and framework
  2. Read the chapters on artifacts and institutions alongside archaeological catalogues
  3. Create relational charts for the sections on institutions and regulations to aid understanding

About the publisher

Shanghai Classics Publishing House China · Founded in 1956

Shanghai Classics Publishing House is a professional publisher centered on the collation of ancient texts and academic research works. Its publishing areas cover historical readings, classical poetry, folk literature, literary appreciation, canonical works, and Eastern philosophy. Its books include Chen Yinke's A Brief Discussion of the Origins of the Sui and Tang Institutions, Xin Qiji's Chronological Annotated Edition of Jiaxuan's Ci (Simplified Edition), Tang Xianzu's The Peony Pavilion, Liu Xie's The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons, as well as New Annotations to Three Hundred Tang Poems (Collector's Edition), Annotated Edition of Han Changli's Collected Works (Simplified Edition, 3 volumes), and Youyang Zazu. Its authors include Chen Yinke, Xin Qiji, Tang Xianzu, Liu Xie, Deng Guangming, Hengtang Tuishi, Han Yu, and Ma Qichang. In terms of publishing characteristics, the house emphasizes collation, annotation, and compilation of ancient texts alongside academic research works, and continues to issue simplified and collector's editions that balance scholarship and accessibility. Public information about the publisher's fuller publishing profile is limited.

Contents

  1. 版权信息
  2. 第一章 总 论
  3. 第二章 古史材料
  4. 第三章 民族原始
  5. 第四章 古史年代
  6. 第五章 开辟传说
  7. 第六章 三皇事迹
  8. 第一节 纬书三皇之说
  9. 第二节 巢燧羲农事迹
  10. 第七章 五帝事迹
  11. 第一节 炎黄之争
  12. 第二节 黄帝之族与共工之争
  13. 第三节 禹治水
  14. 第四节 尧舜禅让
  15. 第五节 尧舜禹与三苗之争
  16. 第八章 夏殷西周事迹
  17. 第一节 夏后氏事迹
  18. 第二节 殷先世事迹
  19. 第三节 夏殷兴亡 〔8〕
  20. 第四节 殷代事迹
  21. 第五节 周先世事迹
  22. 第六节 殷周兴亡上
  23. 第七节 殷周兴亡下
  24. 第八节 西周事迹
  25. 第九章 春秋战国事迹
  26. 第一节 东周列国形势
  27. 第二节 齐晋秦楚之强
  28. 第三节 五霸事迹上
  29. 第四节 五霸事迹下
  30. 第五节 齐顷灵庄晋厉悼楚共灵之争
  31. 第六节 吴越之强
  32. 第七节 楚吴越之争
  33. 第八节 战国形势
  34. 第九节 楚悼魏惠齐威宣秦献孝之强
  35. 第十节 齐湣王之强
  36. 第十一节 秦灭六国
  37. 第十章 民族疆域
  38. 第一节 先秦时诸民族
  39. 第二节 先秦疆域
  40. 第十一章 社会组织
  41. 第一节 昏 制
  42. 第二节 族 制
  43. 第三节 人 口
  44. 第四节 等 级
  45. 第十二章 农工商业
  46. 第一节 农 业
  47. 第二节 工 业
  48. 第三节 商 业
  49. 第四节 泉 币
  50. 第十三章 衣食住行
  51. 第一节 饮 食
  52. 第二节 衣 服
  53. 第三节 宫 室
  54. 第四节 交 通
  55. 第十四章 政治制度
  56. 第一节 封 建
  57. 第二节 官 制
  58. 第三节 选 举
  59. 第四节 租 税
  60. 第五节 兵 制
  61. 第六节 刑 法
  62. 第十五章 宗教学术
  63. 第一节 文 字
  64. 第二节 古代宗教学术上
  65. 第三节 古代宗教学术下
  66. 第四节 宦 学
  67. 第五节 先秦诸子
  68. 第十六章 结 论

FAQ

How does this book differ from the pre-Qin sections of general histories?
The book replaces chronological narrative with thematic analysis, focusing on systematic examination of social structure, economic institutions, and cultural forms—far deeper than a general history overview.
Can non-specialist readers understand this book?
Lü Simian's exposition is clear and well-organized. Though it involves specialized textual criticism, core viewpoints are explicitly explained; readers with a high-school-level foundation in history and literature can proceed gradually.
What are the characteristics of the book's handling of historical sources?
The author both critically uses transmitted texts such as the Book of Documents and the Zuo Tradition and actively incorporates the latest archaeological findings of his time, embodying the scientific methodology of modern historiography.

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About the author

Lü Simian Author · Chinese · 1884–1957

Lü Simian (1884–1957), courtesy name Chengzhi, was a native of Wujin (present-day Changzhou), Jiangsu, and a renowned modern historian and educator. He taught for many years at Guanghua University and East China Normal University, and is known, together with Chen Yinke, Chen Yuan and Qian Mu, as one of the "Four Masters of Modern Historiography." His scholarship spanned ancient and modern times: he wrote general histories such as A Vernacular History of China and Lü's General History of China, dynastic histories including Pre-Qin History, Qin and Han History, Sui-Tang and Five Dynasties History, and History of the Jin and Northern and Southern Dynasties, as well as reading notes such as Lü Simian's Notes on Reading History. His works cover historical reading, Eastern philosophy and literary appreciation, and are valued for their rigorous argument, solid textual research and plain, accessible style.

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