Records of the Grand Historian

The Shiji (Chinese史记, Pinyin Shǐjì, W.-G. Shih- chi, Records of the Historian ") by Sima Qian of the early Han period ( 109-91 BC written ) is considered the first significant example of Chinese historiography and the first of the 24 dynastic histories. It includes 130 rolls / volumes (卷, juǎn ).

It describes the time of the mythological beginnings of history to the early Han Dynasty. For the Han period, it is made from the Hofakten to which Sima Qian had direct access, as he was court astrologer. What is new are the one hand, chronological tables on which a synopsis of the important central events with the events in the royal fiefs and offices at court is offered, and the monographs on astronomy, astrology, imperial sacrificial ceremonies, rites, music, business and irrigation, Sima Qian largely on their own expertise was drafting.