The principal text of the Zizhi Tongjian was recorded on 294 juan, which are scrolls corresponding to a volume, chapter, or section of the work. The text is a chronological narrative of the history of China from the Warring States to the Five Dynasties. The major contributor, Sima Guang, was active in each step from collecting events and dates from various previous works to drafting and publication. Sima Guang left the traditional usage in Chinese historiography. For almost 1,000 years since the Shiji was written, standard Chinese dynastic histories had primarily divided chapters between annals of rulers, and biographies of officials. In Chinese terms, the book changed the format of histories from biographical style to chronological style, which is better suited for analysis, activism and criticism. According to Wilkinson: "It had an enormous influence on later Chinese historical writing, either directly or through its many abbreviations, continuations, and adaptations. It remains an extraordinarily useful first reference for a quick and reliable coverage of events at a particular time." The 294 juan sweep through several Chinese historical periods. It was one of the largest historical compilations in history.
Derivative and commented works
In the 12th century, Zhu Xi produced a reworked, condensed version of Zizhi Tongjian, known as Tongjian Gangmu, or Zizhi Tongjian Gangmu. This condensed version was itself later translated into Manchu as , upon the request of Qing DynastyKangxi Emperor. This Manchu version was itself translated into French by Jesuit missionaryJoseph-Anna-Marie de Moyriac de Mailla. His twelve-volume translation, "Histoire générale de la Chine, ou Annales de cet Empire; traduit du Tong-kien-kang-mou par de Mailla" was published posthumously in Paris in 1777-1783. The Zhonghua Shuju edition contains textual criticism made by Yuan Dynasty historian Hu Sanxing. The philosopher Wang Fuzhi also wrote a commentary on Tongjian, titled "Comments after reading the Tongjian". Historian Rafe de Crespigny has published translations of chapters 54-59 and 59-69 under the titles "Emperor Huan and Emperor Ling" and "To Establish Peace", respectively, covering 157-220 CE, while the next ten chapters covering up to 265 CE were previously translated by Achilles Fang in "The Chronicle of the Three Kingdoms". Chapters 1-8, covering the years 403-207 BCE, have been translated into English with copious notes and annotations. Some additional sections of Zizhi tongjian pertaining to the Xiongnu people from Northern China have been translated into English.
Contents
The book consisted of 294 chapters, of which the following number describe each respective dynastic era:
