Hanshu, also known as pre-Hanshu, is the first biographical dynastic history in China and one of the "twenty-four histories". It was compiled by Ban Gu, a historian of the Eastern Han Dynasty, and lasted for more than 20 years. Jian 'an was basically completed in the early years, which was interpreted by Yan Shigu in the later Tang Dynasty. Hanshu includes 12 biographies, 8 tables, 10 records, 100 biographies, and is divided into 120 volumes. Its chronology began in the first year of Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang and ended in the fourth year of Emperor Wang Mang.

The time recorded in Hanshu overlaps with Shiji, and the history of the Western Han Dynasty before the middle period of Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty is recorded in both books. In this part, Hanshu often displaces Historical Records. However, due to the different ideological realm of the author and the different criteria for selecting materials, there are also additions, deletions and changes when transcribing. Records of criminal law, five elements, geography and art have been added to Hanshu. For the first time, the annals of criminal law systematically recorded the evolution of the legal system and some specific laws and regulations.

Extended data

Hanshu has a prominent position in the history of China literature. It describes people from all walks of life with the spirit of "record", which is plain and vivid, and can be regarded as a model of biographical literature in later generations, such as Biography of Huo Guang, Biography of Su Wu, Biography of consorts, Biography of Zhu Maichen and so on.

In addition, Hanshu also records the history of ethnic minorities. Hanshu inherits the fine tradition of Historical Records as a special biography of ethnic minorities, and uses new historical materials to expand the biography of Dawan Historical Records into a biography of the Western Regions, which supplements the history of dozens of regions in the western regions and neighboring countries and supplements a large number of historical facts after Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. These records are valuable materials for studying the history of Asian countries.

Hanshu initiated the narrative method of dynastic history, and its style was followed by later generations. Since Qin and Han dynasties, it has been a monarchy. People in this dynasty often dare not directly comment on the politics of this dynasty, and there are many taboos. The dynastic history conforms to the author's psychology, because the previous dynasty has died, and it is easier to comment on the politics of the previous dynasty. Therefore, since the publication of Hanshu, the official history of all dynasties has been based on dating.

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