A Brief History of Ancient China adapts a traditional Chinese historical format to present a multi-faceted account of the first two millennia of China’s earliest history: from the time of the legendary rulers Yao and Shun (c. 2000 BCE) down to the end of the Qin dynasty (221-207 BCE).
Organised into five major sections, it examines the political shifts of the major dynasties, the histories of local states, and the lives of key individuals. Drawing on analysis of textual and visual materials, and a variety of English and non-English sources, Edward L. Shaughnessy offers detailed insight into the contemporary religious and philosophical landscape, governmental and legal practices, and innovations in writing, literature, and music.
Incorporating recent developments in the field, this book draws on archaeological discoveries from the last century, and examines the lives of central female figures, and other groups who are often underrepresented.
By:
Edward L Shaughnessy
Imprint: Bloomsbury Academic
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 216mm,
Width: 138mm,
ISBN: 9781350170414
ISBN 10: 1350170410
Pages: 416
Publication Date: 05 October 2023
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Primary
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
List of Figures List of Maps List of Tables Preface Basic Annals 1. Basic Annals of Yao and Shun 2. Basic Annals of Xia 3. Basic Annals of Shang 4. Basic Annals of Zhou 5. Basic Annals of Qin Maps and Tables 6. Topographical Map of China 7. Map of Yu the Great’s Nine Regions 8. Maps of the Shang,Western Zhou, Springs and Autumns and Warring States Periods 9. Map of Major Archaeological Sites of Ancient China 10. Genealogies and Chronologies of Rulers of Xia, Shang and Western Zhou 11. Chronologies of Rulers of Major States of the Springs and Autumns Period 12. Chronologies of Rulers of Major States of the Warring States Period 13. Table of Historically Important Non-Rulers in Ancient China Essays 14. Essay on the Heavens 15. Essay on the Earth 16. Essay on Ritual 17. Essay on Warfare 18. Essay on Government 19. Essay on Law 20. Essay on Music 21. Essay on Bronze 22. Essay on Writing 23. Essay on Literature Hereditary Houses 24. Hereditary House of Lu 25. Hereditary House of Yan 26. Hereditary House of Qi 27. Hereditary House of Jin 28. Hereditary House of Wei 29. Hereditary House of Zhao 30. Hereditary House of Han 31. Hereditary House of Chu 32. Hereditary House of Zeng 33. Hereditary Houses of Wu and Yue 34. Hereditary Houses of the Eastern Peoples 35. Hereditary Houses of the Western Peoples Biographies 36. Biographies of Yi Yin and Fu Yue 37. Biography of Fu Hao 38. Biographies of Luzi Sheng and the Three Humane Men of Shang 39. Biography of Moufu, Duke of Zhai 40. Biography of Supervisor of the Horse Lu, the Elder of Jing 41. Biographies of Yin Jifu 42. Biography of Bao Si 43. Biographies of Li Ji and Mu Jiang 44. Biography of Ding Jiang 45. Biography of Maestro Kuang 46. Biography of Zi Chan 47. Biography of Wu Zixu 48. Biography of Confucius 49. Biographies of Confucius’s Disciples 50. Biographies of Mencius and Xunzi 51. Biographies of Laozi and Zhuangzi 52. Biographies of Sun Wu and Sun Bin 53. Biography of Shang Yang 54. Biography of Shao Tuo 55. Biography of Bian Que 56. Biographies of Qu Yuan and Song Xing 57. Biography of Xi 58. Biographies of Han Fei and Li Si 59. Biographies of Chen She and Wu Guang 60. Author’s Postface
Edward L Shaughnessy is Lorraine J. and Herrlee G. Creel Distinguished Service Professor in Early Chinese Studies, and Director of Graduate Studies, East Asian Languages and Civilizations at the University of Chicago, USA.
Reviews for A Brief History of Ancient China
The author’s review of archaeological finds and foundational texts, combined with the zestiness of Chinese accounts of heroes and villains and valuable topical essays on things like Music, Law and Bronzes makes for a fresh and fun-to-read survey of Early China that succeeds in capturing the flavor of Chinese historical sensibilities. * Gregory Rohlf, Professor, University of the Pacific, USA * This well published author on Chinese culture and history has output another monumental work with well expressed and stunningly beautiful illustrations of ancient Chinese history that fill in a cognitive gap necessary for understanding this remote section of Chinese history. * Weixiao Wei, University of Houston, USA *
