description Tongdian Overview
The Tongdian is a Chinese institutional and historical encyclopedia compiled by the Tang dynasty scholar Du You. Completed in 801, the comprehensive text spans 200 chapters and provides a detailed chronological account of political, economic, and social institutions. It systematically covers various administrative categories, including government structures, taxation, military organization, and border defense from antiquity through the Tang era. The work holds a significant place in Chinese historiography, establishing a format that was later adopted by subsequent dynastic institutional encyclopedias.
help Tongdian FAQ
What specific topics does the Tongdian encyclopedia focus on?
The Tongdian provides a detailed chronological account of political, economic, and social institutions. Rather than just listing historical events, it systematically catalogs the mechanics of government, taxation, and ceremonial rites from antiquity through the Tang dynasty.
Who compiled the Tongdian and when was it completed?
The encyclopedia was compiled by the prominent Tang dynasty scholar Du You. It stands as a massive achievement of medieval Chinese historiography, officially completed in the year 801.
How long is the Tongdian?
The comprehensive text spans exactly 200 chapters, making it an incredibly massive volume of text for its era. Its sheer size allows it to cover the intricate details of centuries of Chinese institutional history.
Is the Tongdian part of a larger series of Chinese historical texts?
Yes, it is the first of the institutional histories known as the "Three Comprehensive Encyclopedias" in Chinese literature. Du You's work established the precedent for institutional history writing that later dynasties would continue in the Tongzhi and Wenxian Tongkao.
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