What kind of history book is Hanshu?

Hanshu is a biographical work of dynastic history. This book inherited the historical records from the system, but changed it into a chronicle, abolished the aristocratic family and merged it into biographies. Biography 12, Table 8, Chronicle 10, Biography 70, Article *** 100. It tells the history of the rise and fall from the first year of Emperor Gaozu to Emperor Wangmang in 229.

After more than 20 years' efforts, Hanshu was basically completed in the seventh year of Zhang Di's founding. Some records and tables in Hanshu were written by his sisters Ban Zhao and Ma Xu after his death.

The value of the work

Hanshu truly records the historical features of the Western Han Dynasty and provides important information for understanding the history of China. As historical biographical literature, many biographies in the book are very successful. It pays attention to highlighting the characters through concrete and vivid plot description, imitating sound and painting, and using meticulous brushwork. The language is concise and orderly, meticulous and rigorous.

In addition, a large number of poems are attached to the book, which is one reason why later writers like Hanshu, but it also affects its narrative concentration and distinctive characters.