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Wenxian tongkao

work by Ma Duanlin

Quick Summary

The Wenxian tongkao ("General Study of the Literary Remains") is a massive encyclopedia of general knowledge compiled by the Chinese historian Ma Duanlin between 1254 and 1323. It is considered one of the greatest institutional histories of China and served as a model for later historians.1

Chinese encyclopedias, like the Wenxian tongkao, traditionally served to aid candidates for the civil service and often contained anthologies of significant literature alongside dictionary elements. The Wenxian tongkao was a supplement to Du Yu's Tongdian and included a valuable bibliography.2

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. Ma Duanlin
  2. encyclopaedia - China

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