Zizhi Tongjian

Zizhi Tongjian

Zizhi tongjian (Historical Events Retold as a Mirror for Governance) is a chronology of history mainly compiled by Sima Guang (1019-1086) in the Northern Song Dynasty. It covers over 1362 years of Chinese history spanning 16 dynasties from 403 B.C.-A.D. 959. An invaluable reference book of history, it is of great importance among Chinese historical records. Sima Guang is revered as one of the two great "Sima historians" in Chinese history, the other Sima being Sima Qian, who wrote Records of the Grand Historian.

Zizhi tongjian integrates in three parts annals, imperial records, calendars, celestial signs, contents, abstracts, and indexes, creating a new style of multi-functional cataloging for works of history. It covers politics, military affairs, ethnic relations, culture, the economy, and comments on historical figures, and summarizes the lessons and experience of 16 dynasties and their rise and fall, serving as a reference book on governance for monarchs. Zizhi tongjian was a must-read for emperors, officials, and scholars. It offers a deep insight into how the traditional political system functioned in China.

《资治通鉴》

《资治通鉴》是由北宋司马光（1019—1086）主编的一部编年体史书，主要以时间为纲、事件为目，从公元前5 世纪末到10世纪中期，涵盖十六朝1362年的历史，史料价值极高，在中国古代史书中占有极重要的地位。司马光和《史记》作者司马迁被后人并称“史学两司马”。

《资治通鉴》分三部分，将年表、帝纪、历法、天象、目录、举要及索引集于一块，开创了编年体史书多功能目录的新体例，内容包括政治、军事、民族关系、文化、经济和历史人物评价等，总结了16个朝代国家盛衰、民族兴亡的经验教训，为当朝君主治国理政提供借鉴。《资治通鉴》是历代帝王将相、文人骚客、各界要人必读著作，也是一部深入理解中国传统政治运行的经典著作。