Tongjian

Tongjian, more commonly known as Zizhi Tongjian, is a seminal Chinese historical work compiled during the Song dynasty. Initiated under imperial sponsorship and completed in 1084, it was produced by Sima Guang and a team of scholars. The text covers a continuous chronology from 403 BCE to 959 CE, organized into 294 juan (scrolls). The title translates roughly as “Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Governing” or “General Mirror for Instructions in Governance,” signaling its intended use as a reference for rulers and officials.

The Zizhi Tongjian is distinctive for its chronological, event-driven narrative that records political, military, and diplomatic happenings year by year. It presents not only actions and outcomes but also the underlying causes and consequences, and it includes editorial commentary aimed at illustrating governance lessons. The work draws on a wide range of earlier sources, including official histories and contemporaneous records, to create a continuous account across multiple dynasties and eras.

In composition, the work integrates plain narrative with Sima Guang’s evaluative stance, offering moral judgments and recommendations for prudent rule. Although rooted in historical chronicle, it functions as a diagnostic tool for governance, emphasizing moral and practical considerations in statecraft.

Influence and legacy: the Zizhi Tongjian became a foundational reference for later Chinese historiography and political thought. It shaped how officials and scholars understood governance, crisis management, and succession. The work circulated widely in East Asia and informed teaching, governance, and literary culture for centuries. Modern editions and scholarly studies continue to rely on its comprehensive chronology as a primary source for early imperial and medieval Chinese history.