Skip directly to:
Main content
Main navigation
University of Virginia Library
Search this document
The history of the former Han dynasty
Ban, Gu (32-92)
THE HISTORY OF THE FORMER HAN DYNASTY
[title page]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
VI.
CHAPTER VI
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of these introductions
The sources for this chapter—the corresponding chapter of the SC
A summary of Emperor Wu's reign
His subversion of the unwritten state constitution and the consequences thereof
The undue severity of his rule
Li Ling's brilliant military exploit
Ancient appraisals of Emperor Wu
The Emperor's favorite women and their relatives
The Emperor's superstitious practises
Luan Ta
The civil service examination system
The Emperor's gradual adherence to and advancement of Confucianism
The founding of the Imperial University
[Chapter] VI THE SIXTH [IMPERIAL ANNALS]
APPENDIX I
APPENDIX II
APPENDIX III
APPENDIX IV
APPENDIX V
APPENDIX VI
VII.
CHAPTER VII
INTRODUCTION
The sources and nature of this and the remaining "Annals"
The virtual regency of Ho Kuang
The control exercised by the Intendant of Affairs of the Masters of Writing
The abortive intrigue against Ho Kuang
Ho Kuang's lightening of the people's burdens
His conduct of foreign affairs
[Chapter] VII THE SEVENTH [IMPERIAL ANNALS]
APPENDIX I
APPENDIX II
VIII.
CHAPTER VIII
INTRODUCTION
The apogee of the Former Han period
Liu Ho4b's brief reign and deposition
The selection of Emperor Hsuan
The dangerous intrigues and downfall of the Ho clan
The kindly and generous rule of Emperor Hsüan
The submission of the Huns
The nature of Chinese external vassalage
The victory of Confucianism
[Chapter] VIII THE EIGHTH [IMPERIAL ANNALS]
APPENDIX I
APPENDIX II
APPENDIX III
IX.
CHAPTER IX
INTRODUCTION
Who wrote this chapter and the next?
The textual loss
The probable source of a significant imperial conversation
Summary of the reign
Foreign affairs
Ch'en T'ang's extraordinary expedition into Sogdiana and the treatment of him by the government
The complete victory of Confucianism
Visitations and calamities
Governmental reforms and economies
Enactment of fundamental features in the imperial ancestral cult
The "Ordinances for the Months"
A second civil service test added
Imperial adoption of the Confucian principle that one's relatives should be favored
Eunuch control of the government; Confucian attacks upon and eventual victory over the eunuchs
IX.
[Chapter] IX THE NINTH [IMPERIAL ANNALS]
APPENDIX I
APPENDIX II
APPENDIX III
X.
CHAPTER X
INTRODUCTION
Summary of the reign
The beginning of the future Grand Empress Dowager née Wang's career
Shih3 Tan frustrates an intrigue to change the Heir-apparent
The Wang clan controls the government. Their deeds
The rise of Wang Mang
Imperial economies and grants
The great imperial sacrifices removed to the capital
Corrupt government brings popular distress and rebellions
Divine visitations and prodigies
The status of Confucianism
Emperor Ch'eng's personal character
Lack of an heir induces the Emperor to change his Empress and distribute his favors
Emperor Ch'eng's infanticide of his two sons for love of the Brilliant Companion née Chao
The appointment of an Heir-apparent and the Emperor's death
[Chapter] X THE TENTH [IMPERIAL ANNALS]
APPENDIX
ADDENDA ET CORRIGENDA TO VOLUME ONE
Collapse All
|
Expand All
The history of the former Han dynasty
THE HISTORY OF
THE FORMER HAN DYNASTY
BY
PAN KU
Translation, Volume Two
FIRST DIVISION
The Imperial Annals
Chapters VI–X
A Critical Translation with Annotations by HOMER H. DUBS With the Collaboration of P'AN LO-CHI and JEN T'AI
BALTIMORE
WAVERLY PRESS, INC.
© 1944
The history of the former Han dynasty