The Zizhi Tongjian (simplified Chinese: 资治通鉴; traditional Chinese: 資治通鑒; pinyin: Zīzhì Tōngjiàn; Wade–Giles: Tzu-chih T'ung-chien; literally "Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government") was a pioneering reference work in Chinese historiography, published in 1084, in the form of a chronicle. In 1065 CE, Emperor Yingzong of Song ordered the great historian Sima Guang (1019–1086) to lead with other scholars such as his chief assistants Liu Shu, Liu Ban and Fan Zuyu, the compilation of a universal history of China. The task took 19 years to be completed, and, in 1084, it was presented to his successor Emperor Shenzong of Song. The Zizhi Tongjian exposes Chinese history from -403 BCE to 959 CE, covering 16 dynasties and spanning across almost 1,400 years, and contains 294 volumes (巻) and about 3 million Chinese characters.
Read more about Zizhi Tongjian: The Text, Derivative and Commented Works, Contents