Ancient Sichuan and the Unification of China

Steven F. Sage is Professor in the Department of History, Middle Tennessee State University.

• MapsFiguresAcknowledgmentsA Note on Transliteration1. Introduction2. ShuArchaic Shu in Chinese MythsPre-and Protohistoric ShuThe Name ShuShu in Oracle Bone InscriptionsThe Shu Enter HistoryShu in Transition3. Ba and the Ba-Shu CultureEastern Sichuan in PrehistoryBa OriginsBa CultureChu in SichuanThe Ba-Shu CultureSichuan on the Eve of Qin Conquest4. Enter QinThe Balance of Power, Middle Fourth Century B.CQin, Loyal Vassal of ZhouThe Qin MetamorphosisThe Kingdom of QinQin Tums SouthThe Qin Conquest of Sichuan5. Sichuan's Century under QinQin Neutralizes ChuThe Pacification of ShuThe Transformation of ShuQin Power in BaThe Defeat of ChuSichuan in the Qin Empire6. Han SichuanSichuan and the Restoration of ChinaBa and Shu Under the HanThe Sichuan CornucopiaSima Xiangru and the Limits of Han Sichuan7. ConclusionAppendixIn What Year Did Qin Conquer Sichuan?GlossaryNotesBibliographyIndex

"What I like most about this manuscript is that it is enjoyable to read, and makes ancient history come alive. The author's style is lively and carries the reader through the history of ancient Sichuan and its role in the greater sphere of ancient Chinese history."This topic is definitely significant. A study of ancient Sichuan has been long overdue. The analysis is made more important by placing ancient Sichuanese history in the context of both the history of the northern central states, especially Qin, and the dominant northern state, Chu."It is also significant that large portions of the Hua Yang Guo Zhi have been rendered into English—although the work is known to have certain historical problems, it is an important text for people researching the ancient history of China's southwest. It has never been translated, and Sage's work helps to remedy this situation." — Heather A. Peters, The University Museum, University of Pennsylvania