# Chen Shou

> Chinese historian (233-297)

**Wikidata**: [Q468890](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q468890)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chen_Shou)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/chen-shou

## Summary
Chen Shou was a Chinese historian and writer who lived from 233 to 297 CE during the Three Kingdoms period and early Western Jin dynasty. He is best known as the author of the "Records of the Three Kingdoms" (Sanguozhi), a seminal historical text documenting the Three Kingdoms era. His work became a foundational source for understanding this pivotal period in Chinese history.

## Biography
- Born: 233 CE
- Nationality: Chinese
- Education: Not specified in source material
- Known for: Authoring "Records of the Three Kingdoms" (Sanguozhi)
- Employer(s): Not specified in source material
- Field(s): History, writing, politics

## Contributions
Chen Shou's most significant contribution was authoring the "Records of the Three Kingdoms" (Sanguozhi), a comprehensive historical text documenting the Three Kingdoms period (220-280 CE). This work became the primary historical source for understanding the political, military, and social dynamics of the era, covering the states of Wei, Shu Han, and Wu. The text established standards for historical writing in China and influenced subsequent dynastic histories.

## FAQs
**What is Chen Shou most famous for?**
Chen Shou is most famous for writing the "Records of the Three Kingdoms" (Sanguozhi), which became the authoritative historical account of the Three Kingdoms period in Chinese history.

**When did Chen Shou live?**
Chen Shou lived from 233 to 297 CE, spanning the end of the Three Kingdoms period and the beginning of the Western Jin dynasty.

**What was Chen Shou's profession?**
Chen Shou was a historian, writer, and politician who served during the transition from the Three Kingdoms period to the Western Jin dynasty.

**What historical period did Chen Shou document?**
Chen Shou documented the Three Kingdoms period (220-280 CE), a time of division and warfare following the fall of the Han dynasty, when China was split among the states of Wei, Shu Han, and Wu.

## Why They Matter
Chen Shou matters because his "Records of the Three Kingdoms" established the foundational historical narrative for one of China's most famous periods. His work became the primary source for understanding the political intrigue, military campaigns, and cultural developments of the era. The text influenced not only historical scholarship but also Chinese literature, inspiring works like the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms." His methodological approach to historical writing set standards that influenced Chinese historiography for centuries.

## Notable For
- Authoring the "Records of the Three Kingdoms" (Sanguozhi)
- Documenting the Three Kingdoms period (220-280 CE)
- Establishing standards for Chinese historical writing
- Creating the primary source for understanding the Three Kingdoms era
- Influencing both historical scholarship and Chinese literature

## Body
### Early Life and Background
Chen Shou was born in 233 CE during the Three Kingdoms period, a time of significant political fragmentation in China. He lived through the final decades of the Three Kingdoms era and into the early years of the Western Jin dynasty, which reunified China in 280 CE. This unique position allowed him to witness the transition from division to reunification.

### Historical Context
The Three Kingdoms period (220-280 CE) followed the collapse of the Han dynasty and saw China divided among three rival states: Wei in the north, Shu Han in the southwest, and Wu in the southeast. This era was marked by warfare, political intrigue, and cultural development, later becoming one of the most romanticized periods in Chinese history.

### The Records of the Three Kingdoms
Chen Shou's magnum opus, the "Records of the Three Kingdoms" (Sanguozhi), was completed around 280-290 CE. The work systematically documented the history of the Three Kingdoms period, covering:
- The state of Wei (220-265 CE)
- The state of Shu Han (221-263 CE)
- The state of Wu (222-280 CE)

The text included biographies of key figures, accounts of military campaigns, and analysis of political developments. Chen Shou's approach combined chronological narrative with biographical sketches, establishing a format that influenced subsequent Chinese historical writing.

### Historical Methodology
Chen Shou's work demonstrated careful attention to source materials and critical analysis. He drew from official documents, personal accounts, and earlier historical works to construct his narrative. His methodology included:
- Verification of events through multiple sources
- Critical evaluation of conflicting accounts
- Organization of material by state and individual
- Inclusion of both political and military history

### Political Career
While specific details of Chen Shou's political career are limited in the source material, he served as a politician during the Western Jin dynasty. His position likely provided access to official records and documents that informed his historical writing.

### Legacy and Influence
The "Records of the Three Kingdoms" became the authoritative historical source for the period, influencing:
- Subsequent dynastic histories in China
- Historical scholarship on the Three Kingdoms period
- Chinese literature, particularly the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms"
- Understanding of political and military strategy
- Cultural memory of the Three Kingdoms era

### Historical Significance
Chen Shou's work matters because it:
- Preserved detailed information about a crucial period in Chinese history
- Established methodological standards for Chinese historiography
- Created the foundation for both historical and literary treatments of the Three Kingdoms
- Provided insights into political leadership and military strategy
- Influenced how Chinese civilization understands its own historical development

### Cultural Impact
Beyond its historical value, Chen Shou's work influenced Chinese culture by:
- Providing source material for the famous "Romance of the Three Kingdoms"
- Shaping understanding of key historical figures like Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and Sun Quan
- Influencing concepts of loyalty, strategy, and leadership
- Contributing to the romanticization of the Three Kingdoms period in Chinese popular culture

### Historical Documentation
The "Records of the Three Kingdoms" documented:
- Political structures of the three rival states
- Military campaigns and strategies
- Biographies of over 1,000 historical figures
- Economic and social conditions of the period
- Cultural developments during the era of division

Chen Shou's careful documentation preserved knowledge that might otherwise have been lost, making him an essential figure in Chinese historical tradition.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Integrated Authority File
3. International Standard Name Identifier
4. Japan Search
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. CiNii Research
7. Faceted Application of Subject Terminology
8. Project Gutenberg
9. Autoritats UB
10. Trove
11. datos.bne.es
12. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
13. Czech National Authority Database
14. Quora
15. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File