burning of the books
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The burning of the books was an event in Chinese history that occurred in 213 BCE during the Qin dynasty. The first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, acting on the advice of his Legalist minister Li Si, ordered the destruction of historical records and classical texts that glorified past rulers. This act was intended to suppress criticism from scholars who upheld ancient traditions and to create a clean break with the past, solidifying the Qin dynasty's authority.123
The decree led to the burning of numerous books and the execution of hundreds of scholars. Books on history and philosophy were targeted, while those concerning agriculture, medicine, and divination were spared. This event is remembered as a significant act of censorship and cultural destruction. Despite the condemnation it earned, the Qin dynasty's actions laid the groundwork for a unified empire.3124
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- Mao Chang
…dynasty (221–206 bc), a massive burning of books took place in which most copies of the Confucian classics were destroyed. After the founding of the Han dynasty (206 bc–ad 220), an intensive campaign was undertaken to replace the classics; older scholars who had memorized these works in their entirety provided…
Read More…dynasty (221–206 bc), a massive burning of books took place in which most copies of the Confucian classics were destroyed. After the founding of the Han dynasty (206 bc–ad 220), an intensive campaign was undertaken to replace the classics; older scholars who had memorized these works in their entirety provided…
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ruler Shihuangdi ordered the famous burning of the books in 213 bc. The only surviving version contains introductory remarks by Mao Chang, a scholar who flourished in the 2nd century bc.
Read Moreruler Shihuangdi ordered the famous burning of the books in 213 bc. The only surviving version contains introductory remarks by Mao Chang, a scholar who flourished in the 2nd century bc.
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