Sima Qian
Writing Assignment #1
Essay #1
Sima Qian writes of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the First Emperor of the Qin dynasty in Shi Ji six. He records his life’s details and accomplishments from when he comes to the throne at the age of 13, and far past the days of his death. Sima describes an Emperor that rules with a strict iron fist, as one who was spiritual and superstitious (believed in the 5 powers, immortality, gods interceding in human affairs etc.), and as one who is the self-proclaimed champion of the people. There are many examples of how the Emperor would take swift action to cut down any perceived threat to his honor or anyone that would threaten to not obey the law that he had established. There are also passages of how the Emperor gave incentives to the people who assisted him in accomplishing his goals; and how he used fear tactics to keep the newly established unification of China in check, as he traveled around the country. Shi Ji 6 tells of an Emperor who was very one sided in the care for his people, believing that he alone knew what was best. These writings ultimately illustrate how a government goes too far in fostering an identity for a country and how the sovereign can care so much about his vision that he becomes a tyrant and oppress his people.
“Only by being stem and severe, by settling all affairs in the light of the law, by cutting and slashing without mercy or gentleness, he (Emperor Qin) believed he could comply with the destiny decreed by the five powers. Hence he assiduously applied the law and refused to pardon even crimes committed far in the past.” – Sima Qian Sima Qian’s rhetoric gives us an idea of both Emperor Qin’s strengths and shortcomings. On one hand we read that after he reached manhood he put on girdle and sword, thus he must have been studying Confucian teachings during his youth and was mentally ready to extend his armies to conquer the surrounding regions when he came of age. One noteworthy instance that speaks of
Essay #1
Sima Qian writes of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the First Emperor of the Qin dynasty in Shi Ji six. He records his life’s details and accomplishments from when he comes to the throne at the age of 13, and far past the days of his death. Sima describes an Emperor that rules with a strict iron fist, as one who was spiritual and superstitious (believed in the 5 powers, immortality, gods interceding in human affairs etc.), and as one who is the self-proclaimed champion of the people. There are many examples of how the Emperor would take swift action to cut down any perceived threat to his honor or anyone that would threaten to not obey the law that he had established. There are also passages of how the Emperor gave incentives to the people who assisted him in accomplishing his goals; and how he used fear tactics to keep the newly established unification of China in check, as he traveled around the country. Shi Ji 6 tells of an Emperor who was very one sided in the care for his people, believing that he alone knew what was best. These writings ultimately illustrate how a government goes too far in fostering an identity for a country and how the sovereign can care so much about his vision that he becomes a tyrant and oppress his people.
“Only by being stem and severe, by settling all affairs in the light of the law, by cutting and slashing without mercy or gentleness, he (Emperor Qin) believed he could comply with the destiny decreed by the five powers. Hence he assiduously applied the law and refused to pardon even crimes committed far in the past.” – Sima Qian Sima Qian’s rhetoric gives us an idea of both Emperor Qin’s strengths and shortcomings. On one hand we read that after he reached manhood he put on girdle and sword, thus he must have been studying Confucian teachings during his youth and was mentally ready to extend his armies to conquer the surrounding regions when he came of age. One noteworthy instance that speaks of