Produktdetaljer
Biografisk notat
Mark Edward Lewis is University Lecturer in Chinese Studies at the University of Cambridge.
<p>"The interpretation of warfare is rich in providing a coherent statement on a subject poorly understood by Westerners. This book is a substantial and highly original piece of work." — Roger T. Ames</p><p>"What I like most about the book is the author's mastery of the essential primary and secondary sources, and that he has marshalled these to discuss an essential theme in ancient Chinese history. The author's knowledge of the anecdotal literature is extremely good and impressive. I also like the fact that he is using materials ignored by earlier scholars as well as newly-excavated manuscripts." — Jeffrey Riegel</p>
This book provides new insight into the creation of the Chinese empire by examining the changing forms of permitted violence-warfare, hunting, sacrifice, punishments, and vengeance. It analyzes the interlinked evolution of these violent practices to reveal changes in the nature of political authority, in the basic units of social organization, and in the fundamental commitments of the ruling elite. The work offers a new interpretation of the changes that underlay the transformation of the Chinese polity from a league of city states dominated by aristocratic lineages to a unified, territorial state controlled by a supreme autocrat and his agents. In addition, it shows how a new pattern of violence was rationalized and how the Chinese of the period incorporated their ideas about violence into the myths and proto-scientific theories that provided historical and natural prototypes for the imperial state.
Preface
Introduction
The Social Uses of Violence
Sanctioned Violence and the Warring States Transition
1. The Warrior Aristocracy
Warfare and Sacrifice
The Segmentary Aristocracy
Warfare and Honor
Blood Covenants
Conclusion
2. The Warring State
Warfare and the Warring State
Oaths and Sacrifice
Vengeance and Collective Punishments
Conclusion
3. The Art of Command
The Commander and Texts
The Commander and the Army
The Commander and Battle
The Commander and the Ruler
Conclusion
4. Cosmic Violence
The Calendar of Violence
Cosmic Kickball
Imperial Hunts and Animal Combats
Feats of Strength and sorcery
Conclusion
5. The Social History of Violence
The Myths of the Sage-Kings
The Yellow Emperor and his Adversaries
The Myths and the New Year Festivals
The Violence of Beasts and Men
Myths of Sacrifice and Heaven's Mandate
Conclusion
6. The Natural Philosophy of Violence
Qi in Man and Nature
Qi and Violence
The Sage Commander
The Socialization of Qi
Conclusion
Conclusion
Notes
Works Cited
Index
Produktdetaljer
Biografisk notat
Mark Edward Lewis is University Lecturer in Chinese Studies at the University of Cambridge.