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The Twenty-Four Histories is a collection of Chinese
China

China is a Culture of China, an ancient civilization, and, depending on perspective, a national or multinational entity extending over a large area in East Asia....
 historical books covering a period of history from 3000 BC to the Ming Dynasty
Ming Dynasty

The Ming Dynasty , or Empire of the Great Ming , was the ruling Dynasties in Chinese history of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty....
 in the 17th century
17th century

As a means of recording the passage of time, the 17th Century was that century which lasted from 1601-1700 in the Gregorian calendar.The 17th Century falls into the Early Modern period of Europe and was characterized by the Baroque cultural movement, the French Grand Si?cle dominated by Louis XIV, and the Scientific Revolution, includ...
. The whole set contains 3213 volumes and about 40 million words. It is often considered an authoritative source of traditional Chinese history and culture
Culture of China

The Culture of China is one of the world's oldest and most complex cultures. The area in which the culture is dominant covers a large geographical region with customs and traditions varying greatly between towns, cities and Province ....
, and is used for research on literature, art, music, science
Science

In its broadest sense, science refers to any systematic knowledge or practice. In its more usual restricted sense, science refers to a system of acquiring knowledge based on scientific method, as well as to the organized body of knowledge gained through such research....
, military
Military

A military is an organization authorized by its nation to use force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or Threat of force ....
 affairs, geography, ethnography and other subjects.

Typically, after collecting credible sources, these canonical history records were produced in the next dynasty by officially organized editing, revising, and collating.






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The Twenty-Four Histories is a collection of Chinese
China

China is a Culture of China, an ancient civilization, and, depending on perspective, a national or multinational entity extending over a large area in East Asia....
 historical books covering a period of history from 3000 BC to the Ming Dynasty
Ming Dynasty

The Ming Dynasty , or Empire of the Great Ming , was the ruling Dynasties in Chinese history of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty....
 in the 17th century
17th century

As a means of recording the passage of time, the 17th Century was that century which lasted from 1601-1700 in the Gregorian calendar.The 17th Century falls into the Early Modern period of Europe and was characterized by the Baroque cultural movement, the French Grand Si?cle dominated by Louis XIV, and the Scientific Revolution, includ...
. The whole set contains 3213 volumes and about 40 million words. It is often considered an authoritative source of traditional Chinese history and culture
Culture of China

The Culture of China is one of the world's oldest and most complex cultures. The area in which the culture is dominant covers a large geographical region with customs and traditions varying greatly between towns, cities and Province ....
, and is used for research on literature, art, music, science
Science

In its broadest sense, science refers to any systematic knowledge or practice. In its more usual restricted sense, science refers to a system of acquiring knowledge based on scientific method, as well as to the organized body of knowledge gained through such research....
, military
Military

A military is an organization authorized by its nation to use force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or Threat of force ....
 affairs, geography, ethnography and other subjects.

Typically, after collecting credible sources, these canonical history records were produced in the next dynasty by officially organized editing, revising, and collating. It is officially considered as an officer's job failure for every factual error left in the published records. Therefore, compared to "personally made history", they are considered as "credible history" by most professional history researchers.

Books of the Twenty-Four Histories

  • Early Four Historiographies ???
    • «??» Records of the Grand Historian
      Records of the Grand Historian

      The Records of the Grand Historian, also known in English language by the Chinese name Shiji , written from 109 BC to 91 BC, was the magnum opus of Sima Qian, in which he recounted China history from the time of the Yellow Emperor until his own time....
      , compiled by Sima Qian
      Sima Qian

      Sima Qian was a Prefect of the Grand Scribes of the Han Dynasty. He is regarded as the father of Chinese historiography because of his highly praised work, Records of the Grand Historian , an overview of the history of China covering more than two thousand years from the Yellow Emperor to Emperor Wu of Han China ....
       ??? in 91 BC
    • «??» Book of Han
      Book of Han

      The Book of Han is a classic History of China historical writing completed in 111 CE, covering the history of Western Han from 206 BCE to 25 CE....
      , compiled by Ban Gu
      Ban Gu

      Ban Gu , courtesy name Mengjian , was a 1st century China historian best known for his part in compiling the Book of Han....
       ?? in 82
      82

      Year 82 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar....
    • «???» Records of Three Kingdoms
      Records of Three Kingdoms

      The Records of Three Kingdoms , is the official and authoritative historical text on the period of Three Kingdoms covering from 189 to 280, that was written by Chen Shou in the 3rd century....
      , compiled by Chen Shou
      Chen Shou

      Chen Shou , born in Nanchong, Sichuan, was the author of the Sanguo Zhi, a historical account of the Three Kingdoms period of China. He was once an officer from the Shu Han of Three Kingdoms....
       ?? in 289
      289

      Events...
    • «???» Book of Later Han
      Book of Later Han

      The Book of the Later Han is one of the official China historical works which was compiled by Fan Ye in the 5th century, using a number of earlier histories and documents as sources....
      , compiled by Fan Ye ?? in 445
      445

      Events...
  • «??» Book of Song
    Book of Song

    The Book of Song , also called "The History of the Song," is a historical text of the Liu Song Dynasty of the Southern Dynasties of China. It covers history from 420 to 479, and is one of the Twenty-Four Histories, a traditional collection of historical records....
     — Southern Dynasties
    Southern dynasties

    The Southern dynasties ?? comprise the Liu Song, Southern Qi, Liang Dynasty and Chen Dynasty, whose capital were largely all at Jiankang , and Emperor Yuan of Liang, as well as the later Western Liang emperors , also set their capital at Jiangling, and Xiao Zhuang, who is considered by some historians to be a Liang Dynasty emperor, had his...
    , compiled by Shen Yue
    Shen Yue

    Shen Yue , courtesy name Xiuwen , was a Chinese people historian born in Huzhou.He was a prominent scholar of the Liang Dynasty and author of the Book of Song, a historical work covering the history of the previous Liu Song Dynasty....
     ?? in 488
    488

    Events...
  • «??» Book of Qi
    Book of Qi

    The Book of Qi or Book of Southern Qi is a history of the History of China dynasty Southern Qi covering the period from 479 to 502, and is one of the Twenty-Four Histories of Chinese history....
     — Southern Dynasties
    Southern dynasties

    The Southern dynasties ?? comprise the Liu Song, Southern Qi, Liang Dynasty and Chen Dynasty, whose capital were largely all at Jiankang , and Emperor Yuan of Liang, as well as the later Western Liang emperors , also set their capital at Jiangling, and Xiao Zhuang, who is considered by some historians to be a Liang Dynasty emperor, had his...
    , compiled by Xiao Zixian ??? in 537
    537

    Events...
  • «??» Book of Wei
    Book of Wei

    The Book of Wei is a classic History of China historical writing compiled by Wei Shou from 551 to 554, and serves as an important historical text describing the Northern Wei and Eastern Wei from 386 to 550....
     — Northern Dynasties
    Northern dynasties

    The Northern Dynasties included Northern Wei Dynasty, Eastern Wei Dynasty, Western Wei Dynasty, Northern Qi Dynasty, Northern Zhou Dynasty....
    , compiled by Wei Shou
    Wei Shou

    Wei Shou , born in Xingtai, was the author of the Book of Wei, composed in 554, an important Chinese historical text....
     ?? in 554
    554

    Events...
  • Eight Historiographies of Tang Dynasty
    Tang Dynasty

    The Tang Dynasty was an Dynasties in Chinese history preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire....
     ????
    • «??» Book of Liang
      Book of Liang

      The Book of Liang , was compiled under Yao Silian, completed in 635. The book heavily relied on his father, Yao Ca's original manuscript, as his comments were quoted in several chapters....
       — Southern Dynasties
      Southern dynasties

      The Southern dynasties ?? comprise the Liu Song, Southern Qi, Liang Dynasty and Chen Dynasty, whose capital were largely all at Jiankang , and Emperor Yuan of Liang, as well as the later Western Liang emperors , also set their capital at Jiangling, and Xiao Zhuang, who is considered by some historians to be a Liang Dynasty emperor, had his...
      , compiled by Yao Silian
      Yao Silian

      Yao Silian , courtesy name Jianzhi ,, formally Baron Kang of Fengcheng , was an official of the History of China dynasties Sui Dynasty and Tang Dynasty and was the lead author of the Book of Liang and Book of Chen, official histories of Liang Dynasty and Chen Dynasty, which his father Yao Cha , a Chen official, had begun...
       ??? in 636
      636

      Events...
    • «??» Book of Chen
      Book of Chen

      The Book of Chen was the official history of the History of China dynasty Chen Dynasty. It ranks among the official Twenty-Four Histories of imperial China, and was compiled by the Tang Dynasty historian Yao Silian, completed in 636....
       — Southern Dynasties
      Southern dynasties

      The Southern dynasties ?? comprise the Liu Song, Southern Qi, Liang Dynasty and Chen Dynasty, whose capital were largely all at Jiankang , and Emperor Yuan of Liang, as well as the later Western Liang emperors , also set their capital at Jiangling, and Xiao Zhuang, who is considered by some historians to be a Liang Dynasty emperor, had his...
      , compiled by Yao Silian ??? in 636
    • «???» Book of Northern Qi
      Book of Northern Qi

      The Book of Northern Qi , was the official history of the History of China dynasty Northern Qi. It was written by the Tang Dynasty historian Li Baiyao and was completed in 636....
       — Northern Dynasties
      Northern dynasties

      The Northern Dynasties included Northern Wei Dynasty, Eastern Wei Dynasty, Western Wei Dynasty, Northern Qi Dynasty, Northern Zhou Dynasty....
      , compiled by Li Baiyao
      Li Baiyao

      Li Baiyao , courtesy name Zhonggui , formally Viscount Kang of Anping , was a List of Chinese writers and an official during the History of China dynasties Sui Dynasty and Tang Dynasty....
       ??? in 636
    • «??» Book of Zhou
      Book of Zhou

      The Book of Zhou was the official history of the History of China/Xianbei dynasty Northern Zhou, and it ranks among the official Twenty-Four Histories of imperial China....
       — Northern Dynasties
      Northern dynasties

      The Northern Dynasties included Northern Wei Dynasty, Eastern Wei Dynasty, Western Wei Dynasty, Northern Qi Dynasty, Northern Zhou Dynasty....
      , compiled under Linghu Defen
      Linghu Defen

      'Linghu Defen' , formally 'Duke Xian of Pengyang' , was an official of the History of China dynasties Sui Dynasty and Tang Dynasty. During Tang, he was a major proponent for the compilation of the histories of Sui and its predecessor Northern Zhou and was eventually put in charge of compiling Northern Zhou's official history Book of Zho...
       ???? in 636
    • «??» Book of Sui
      Book of Sui

      The Book of Sui was the official history of the History of China dynasty Sui Dynasty, and it ranks among the official Twenty-Four Histories of imperial China....
      , compiled under Wei Zheng
      Wei Zheng

      Wei Zheng , courtesy name Xuancheng , formally Duke Wenzhen of Zheng , was a Chinese politician and the lead editor of the Book of Sui, composed in 636....
       ?? in 636
    • «??» Book of Jin
      Book of Jin

      The Book of Jin is one of the official Chinese historical works. It covers the history of Jin Dynasty from 265 to 420, which written by a number of officials commissioned by the court of Tang Dynasty, with the lead editor being the Prime Minister Fang Xuanling, drawing mostly from the official documents left from the earlier archives....
      , compiled under Fang Xuanling
      Fang Xuanling

      Fang Xuanling , formal name Fang Qiao but went by the courtesy name of Xuanling, formally Duke Wenzhao of Liang , was the lead editor of the Book of Jin and one of the most celebrated chancellor of Tang Dynasty of the History of China dynasty Tang Dynasty, and he and his colleague Du Ruhui, both serving during the reign of...
       ??? in 648
      648

      Events...
    • «??» History of Southern Dynasties
      History of Southern Dynasties

      The History of Southern Dynasties is one of the official Chinese historical works in the Twenty-Four Histories canon. It contain 80 volumes and covering the period from 420 to 589, the histories of Liu Song, Southern Qi, Liang Dynasty, and Chen Dynasty....
      , compiled by Li Yanshou ??? in 659
      659

      This article is about a year. ...
    • «??» History of Northern Dynasties
      History of Northern Dynasties

      The History of Northern Dynasties is one of the official Chinese historical works in the Twenty-Four Histories canon. It contain 100 volumes and covering the period from 386 to 618, the histories of Northern Wei, Western Wei, Eastern Wei, Northern Zhou, Northern Qi, and Sui Dynasty....
      , compiled by Li Yanshou ??? in 659
  • «??» Book of Tang
    Book of Tang

    The Book of Tang or the Old Book of Tang is the first classic work about the Tang Dynasty. The book began when Gaozu of Later Jin ordered its commencement in 941....
    , compiled under Liu Xu ?? in 945
    945

    Events...
  • «???» Five Dynasties History
    Five Dynasties History

    The Five Dynasties History was an official history of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period , which controlled much of North China. It was compiled by the Song Dynasty official-scholar Xue Juzheng in the first two decades of the Song Dynasty, which was founded in 960....
    , compiled under Xue Juzheng
    Xue Juzheng

    Xue Jucheng was a China historian and scholar who served under the Song Dynasty, as well as four of the Five Dynasties that preceded the Song. Xue is best known for compiling the Five Dynasties History which was put together in the 960s and 970s....
     ??? in 974
    974

    Events...
  • «????» New History of the Five Dynasties
    New History of the Five Dynasties

    The New History of the Five Dynasties is a history of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period of History of China. It was written by the Song Dynasty official Ouyang Xiu and completed in 1053....
    , compiled under Ouyang Xiu
    Ouyang Xiu

    Ouyang Xiu , was a China statesman, historian, essayist and poet of the Song Dynasty . He is also known by his courtesy name of Yongshu, and was also self nicknamed The Old Drunkard ??, or The Retired Scholar of the One of Six ???? in his old age....
      ??? in 1053
  • «???» New Book of Tang
    New Book of Tang

    The New Book of Tang , is a classic work of history about the Tang Dynasty edited by Ouyang Xiu and Song Qi and other official scholars of the Song Dynasty....
    , compiled under Ouyang Xiu ??? in 1060
  • Three Historiographies of Yuan Dynasty
    Yuan Dynasty

    The Yuan Dynasty , or Great Yuan Empire was both the continuation of the Mongol Empire and the Mongol founded historical state in Mongolia and China, lasting officially from 1271 to 1368....
     ????
    • «??» History of Liao
      History of Liao

      History of Liao, or Liao Shi is a Chinese historical book compiled officially in the Yuan Dynasty founded by the Mongols, under the direction of the great historian Tuotuo, and finalized in 1343....
      , compiled under Toktoghan ?? in 1343
    • «??» History of Jin, compiled under Toktoghan ?? in 1345
    • «??» History of Song, compiled under Toktoghan ?? in 1345
  • «??» History of Yuan
    History of Yuan

    The History of Yuan is one of the official Chinese historical works known as the Twenty-Four Histories of China. It consists of 210 chapters and covers the history of the Genghisid Yuan Dynasty from the time of Genghis Khan to the fleeing of the last Yuan emperor Ukhaantu Khan, Emperor Huizong of Yuan from Khanbaliq in 1368....
    , compiled under Song Lian
    Song Lian

    Song Lian was a literary and political advsier to the Ming dynasty founder, and one of the principal figures in the Yuan Dynasty Jinhua school of Neo-Confucianism....
     ?? in 1370
  • «??» History of Ming
    History of Ming

    The History of Ming is one of the official Chinese historical works known as the Twenty-Four Histories of China. It consists of 332 volumes and covers the history of Ming Dynasty from 1368 to 1644, which was written by a number of officials commissioned by the court of Qing Dynasty, with the lead editor Zhang Tingyu....
    , compiled under Zhang Tingyu
    Zhang Tingyu

    Zhang Tingyu was a Han Chinese politician during the Qing Dynasty.Zhang Tingyu was born in Tongcheng in Anhui province. In 1700, he was awarded the highest degree in the imperial examinations and shortly afterwards he was appointed to the Hanlin Academy....
     ??? in 1739


Inheritance works

These works were begun by one historian and completed by an heir in the next generation.
  • «??» Records of the Grand Historian
    Records of the Grand Historian

    The Records of the Grand Historian, also known in English language by the Chinese name Shiji , written from 109 BC to 91 BC, was the magnum opus of Sima Qian, in which he recounted China history from the time of the Yellow Emperor until his own time....
    , inherited from Sima Tan
    Sima Tan

    Sima Tan was an early China historian who worked under the Western Han. He was the father of Sima Qian, who upon the death of Sima Tan, took up his father's work and completed the 130 volume Records of the Grand Historian....
     ??? (father) to Sima Qian
    Sima Qian

    Sima Qian was a Prefect of the Grand Scribes of the Han Dynasty. He is regarded as the father of Chinese historiography because of his highly praised work, Records of the Grand Historian , an overview of the history of China covering more than two thousand years from the Yellow Emperor to Emperor Wu of Han China ....
     ??? (son)
  • «??» Book of Han
    Book of Han

    The Book of Han is a classic History of China historical writing completed in 111 CE, covering the history of Western Han from 206 BCE to 25 CE....
    , inherited from Ban Biao
    Ban Biao

    Ban Biao , courtesy name Shupi , was a China historian, and an official born in what is now Xianyang during the Han Dynasty. He was the nephew of Consort Ban, a famous poet and concubine to Emperor Cheng of Han....
     ?? (father), Ban Gu
    Ban Gu

    Ban Gu , courtesy name Mengjian , was a 1st century China historian best known for his part in compiling the Book of Han....
      ?? (son) to Ban Zhao
    Ban Zhao

    Ban Zhao , courtesy name Huiban , was the first female China historian. She was married to a local resident Cao Shishu at the age of fourteen, and was called in the court by the name as Venerable Madame Cao ....
     ?? (sister)
  • «??»?«??»Book of Liang
    Book of Liang

    The Book of Liang , was compiled under Yao Silian, completed in 635. The book heavily relied on his father, Yao Ca's original manuscript, as his comments were quoted in several chapters....
     and Book of Chen
    Book of Chen

    The Book of Chen was the official history of the History of China dynasty Chen Dynasty. It ranks among the official Twenty-Four Histories of imperial China, and was compiled by the Tang Dynasty historian Yao Silian, completed in 636....
    , inherited from Yao Cha ?? (father) to Yao Silian
    Yao Silian

    Yao Silian , courtesy name Jianzhi ,, formally Baron Kang of Fengcheng , was an official of the History of China dynasties Sui Dynasty and Tang Dynasty and was the lead author of the Book of Liang and Book of Chen, official histories of Liang Dynasty and Chen Dynasty, which his father Yao Cha , a Chen official, had begun...
     ??? (son)
  • «???» Book of Northern Qi
    Book of Northern Qi

    The Book of Northern Qi , was the official history of the History of China dynasty Northern Qi. It was written by the Tang Dynasty historian Li Baiyao and was completed in 636....
    , inherited from Li Delin
    Li Delin

    Li Delin , courtesy name Gongfu , formally either Duke Wen of Anping or Viscount Wen of Cheng'an , was an official of the History of China dynasties Northern Qi, Northern Zhou, and Sui Dynasty....
     ??? (father) to Li Baiyao
    Li Baiyao

    Li Baiyao , courtesy name Zhonggui , formally Viscount Kang of Anping , was a List of Chinese writers and an official during the History of China dynasties Sui Dynasty and Tang Dynasty....
     ??? (son)
  • «??»?«??»History of Southern Dynasties
    History of Southern Dynasties

    The History of Southern Dynasties is one of the official Chinese historical works in the Twenty-Four Histories canon. It contain 80 volumes and covering the period from 420 to 589, the histories of Liu Song, Southern Qi, Liang Dynasty, and Chen Dynasty....
     and History of Northern Dynasties
    History of Northern Dynasties

    The History of Northern Dynasties is one of the official Chinese historical works in the Twenty-Four Histories canon. It contain 100 volumes and covering the period from 386 to 618, the histories of Northern Wei, Western Wei, Eastern Wei, Northern Zhou, Northern Qi, and Sui Dynasty....
    , inherited from Li Dashi
    Li Dashi

    Li Dashi , born in Anyang, was a China historian, and an officer during the Sui and Tang dynasties. He began the History of Northern Dynasties and History of Southern Dynasties, which were completed by his son, Li Yanshou....
     ??? (father) to Li Yanshou ??? (son)


Related works

  • «???» New History of Yuan, compiled by Ke Shaomin ??? in 1920
  • «???» Draft History of Qing
    Draft History of Qing

    The Draft History of Qing was a draft of the official history of the Chinese Qing Dynasty compiled and written by a team of more than 100 historians hired by the Republic of China's government....
    , compiled under Zhao Erxun
    Zhao Erxun

    Zhao Erxun was the brother of the warlord Zhao Erfeng. He was the governor of Hubei and Sichuan and viceroy and governor of Fengtian.Zhao Erfeng and Zhao Erxun extended Chinese rule into Eastern Tibet , and sent an army to Lhasa in 1908....
     ??? in 1927


Modern editions


In China, the Zhonghua Shuju have edited a number of these Histories. These sets (or editions) are appreciated because they have been carefully collated and edited (punctuated) by the Chinese specialists. Therefore, these editions are believed to be relatively reliable, and easy to read and understand.

See also

  • Zizhi Tongjian
    Zizhi Tongjian

    The Zizhi Tongjian was a pioneering reference work in Chinese historiography, published in 1084, under the form of a chronicles. In 1065 CE, Emperor Yingzong of Song ordered the great historian Sima Guang to lead with other scholars such as his chief assistants Liu Shu, Liu Ban and Fan Zuyu, the compilation of a universal history of Chi...
  • History of China
    History of China

    China civilization originated in various city-states along the Yellow River valley in the Neolithic era. The written history of China begins with the Shang Dynasty ....
  • Chinese classic texts
    Chinese classic texts

    Chinese classic texts or Chinese canonical texts refer to the pre-Qin Dynasty Chinese texts, especially the Confucian Four Books and Five Classics ....


External links

  • from Book of Later Han
    Book of Later Han

    The Book of the Later Han is one of the official China historical works which was compiled by Fan Ye in the 5th century, using a number of earlier histories and documents as sources....
     Volume 88, Reported by Ban Yong, Translated by John E. Hill.