Sima Qian

Sima Qian

Chapter No 1: Introduction

Sima Qian as a historian thought it imperative to validate facts by every conceivable means and he has been viewed as “historicizing” myths by providing actual dates for mythical rulers and ancient family lives, including his own. His post as a palace secretary enabled him to have access to the royal archives of his day as well as those of earlier times. The extensive travels of his early life provided him with the necessary fieldwork, though such travels might have equipped him with more historical awareness than historical accuracy. Another aspect of Bang Gu's view of Historical Records as “true records” is the disinterestedness he discerns in Sima Qian as a historian who “does not falsify what is beautiful, nor does he conceal what is evil”. More important, we may discover a third aspect of the “true records” interpretations, when Sima Qian transcends his role as a mere historian by juxtaposing historical and biographical facts. While historical facts mainly detail public phenomena such as titanic battles, dateless masterpieces, and monumental achievements, biographical facts more often explore personal corners such as Chen She's blazing ambition and Liu Bang's professionally perfect lies. Sima Qian, a lover of the curious, not only had an eye for revealing details, amusing anecdotes, and dramatic scenes, but possessed the ability to paint unique personal traits against a sweeping historical background. It is this seamless weaving of historical and biographical facts that contributes to the enduring appeal of Historical Records.Research Question

This paper in relation to the Sima Qian will address the following research questions:

What is the political ideology of Sima Qian?

How did he express his political thoughts in literature?

Significance of this study

This study will attempt to identify the political ideology of Sima Qian and how he expressed his thoughts in the literature, which demonstrate the significance of the study. Several researches in the past has been conducted in the past exploring Sima Qian's work and personality, but only a few researches attempted to explore his political ideology. This research will contribute greatly in understanding one of the greatest historians, biographers of all time and will help in assessing how he perceive politics at that time.

Chapter Two Literature Review

Sima Qian wrote the first major history of China, 130 chapters covering the major events and people in China from the reign of the legendary Yellow Emperor to the late first century B.C.E.

Early Life

Nearly all information concerning the life of Sima Qian (soo-mah chee-yen) comes from his lifework, the Shiji (first century b.c.e.; Records of the Grand Historian of China, 1960). This comprehensive history of China from antiquity to Sima Qian's lifetime has been partially translated in a number of editions but is commonly referred to by its original title. In this work, as was customary, Sima Qian traced his genealogy to legendary figures of high station and high repute. In the mid-ninth century b.c.e., the family suffered a loss of position and became known by the name Sima. In about 140 ...