Concept
Han (Warring States)
Overview
Han was an ancient Chinese state during the Warring States period. Scholars frequently render the name as Hann to clearly distinguish it from China's later Han dynasty. It was located in central China (modern-day Shanxi and Henan) in a region south and east of Luoyang, the capital of the Eastern Zhou. It was ruled by aristocrats of the Ji (姬) family ancestral temple who rose to power as a ministerial family in the state of Jin, and whose power eventually eclipsed that of the Jin ruling house. The partition of Jin which resulted in the states of Han, Wei, and Zhao, marked the beginning of the Warring States period.
The state of Han was small and located in a mountainous and unprofitable region. Its territory directly blocked the passage of the state of Qin into the North China Plain.. Although Han had attempted to reform its governance (notably under Chancellor Shen Buhai who improved state administration and strengthened its military ability) these reforms were not enough to defend itself and it was the first of the seven warring states to be conquered by Qin in 230 BC.
A Qin invasion of Han's Shangdang Commandery in 260 BC and the region's subsequent surrender to Zhao resulted in the Battle of Changping, claimed to be the bloodiest battle of the Warring States period where up to 400,000 soldiers died.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).
In the original texts
Passages from public-domain books where Han (Warring States) is discussed.
I will take this true portrait of Chaoukeun and show it to the Tartar K'han, persuading him to demand her from the Emperor, who will no doubt be obliged to yield her up. A long journey has brought me to this spot, and from the troops of men and horses I conclude I have reached the Tartar camp. [_Addresses himself to somebody_] Leader, inform King Hanchenyu that a great minister of the empire of Han is come to wait…
Confucius, Chinese literature
names the idea; states what it is; the book is about it; opens on it
High and compressed, the Southern trees No shelter from the sun afford. The girls free ramble by the Han, But will not hear enticing word. Like the broad Han are they, Through which one cannot dive; And like the Keang's long stream, Wherewith no raft can strive. Many the fagots bound and piled; The thorns I'd hew still more to make. As brides, those girls their new homes seek; Their colts to feed I'd undertake.
Confucius, The Wisdom of Confucius with Critical and Biographical Sketches
names the idea; states what it is
In þis manere stryuynge þan we þat han strengþe of resonynge {and} of ymaginynge {and} of wit þat is to seyn by resou{n} {and} by ymaginac{i}ou{n} {and} by wit. [{and}] we sholde raþer p{re}ise þe cause of resou{n}. as who seiþ þan þe cause of wit or ymaginac{i}ou{n}. semblable þinge is it þat þe resou{n} of mankynde ne weneþ nat þat þe deuyne intelligence byholdeþ or knoweþ þinges to comen. but ryȝt as þe resou{n}…
Boethius, Chaucer's Translation of Boethius's "De Consolatione Philosophiae"
names the idea; opens on it
Mr. Miller then introduces Sir Hans Sloane, in opposition to Dr. Browne, whose History of Jamaica I had quoted, to prove that the juice of the Acajou was of the same nature and properties with that of the gum-arabic, and consequently not fit for varnish: whereas it plainly appears from the foregoing quotations, taken from Sir Hans Sloane, that Dr. Browne is right, and agrees exactly in opinion with him. He then…
Various, Philosophical transactions, Vol. L. Part I. For the year 1757.
names the idea; opens on it
[24th _March_ 1803.] WHEREAS by an Act, made in the Thirtieth Year of the Reign of His present Majesty, instituled, _An Act for forming and keeping in Repair the Streets_, _and other publick Passages and Places_, _within a certain District in the Parish of_ Saint Luke, _in the County of_ Middlesex, _called_ Hans Town, _and for otherwise improving the same_, certain Powers were given and granted to the Commissioners…
Great Britain, Acts of 30° & 43° Geo. III. relating to a district in the Parish of Saint Luke, Chelsea, called Hans Town
the book is about it; names the idea
Philosophers who discussed Han (Warring States)
Related ideas
- Book of Documents
- Shaanxi
- Luoyang
- Spring and Autumn period
- Shiji
- Warring States period
- Legalism (Chinese philosophy)
- Shen Buhai
- Qin (state)
- Qi (state)
- Han dynasty
- History of China
- Han Fei
- Han Feizi
- Shanxi
Place in the tradition
Part of Legalism (Chinese philosophy).