# Luo Guanzhong

> 14th-century Chinese writer

**Wikidata**: [Q264517](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q264517)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luo_Guanzhong)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/luo-guanzhong

## Summary
Luo Guanzhong was a 14th-century Chinese writer best known for authoring *The Romance of the Three Kingdoms*, one of China's Four Great Classical Novels. Active during the transition from the Yuan to the Ming dynasty, he is also recognized by various aliases, including Luo Ben and Huhai Sanren. His literary work remains a foundational pillar of Chinese culture and historical fiction.

## Biography
- **Born:** c. 1330 or March 30, 1334
- **Nationality:** Chinese
- **Known for:** Authoring *The Romance of the Three Kingdoms*
- **Field(s):** Literature, Writing

## Contributions
Luo Guanzhong's most significant contribution is the authorship of *The Romance of the Three Kingdoms*. This work is classified as one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Emerging from the rich cultural landscape of the 14th century, the novel has had a profound and enduring impact on Chinese storytelling and historical perception.

## FAQs
- **Who is Luo Guanzhong?**
  Luo Guanzhong was a 14th-century Chinese writer, widely credited as the author of *The Romance of the Three Kingdoms*.
- **What is Luo Guanzhong famous for writing?**
  He is famous for writing *The Romance of the Three Kingdoms*, which is considered one of China's Four Great Classical Novels.
- **What are some of Luo Guanzhong's aliases?**
  He is also known as Luo Ben, Guanzhong, Huhai Sanren, Huhaisanren, and Lo Kuan-chung.
- **During which dynasty did Luo Guanzhong live?**
  He lived during the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368) and the subsequent Ming dynasty.
- **When was Luo Guanzhong born and when did he die?**
  He was born around 1330 or on March 30, 1334, and died around the year 1400.

## Why They Matter
Luo Guanzhong matters because he created a literary masterpiece that defines a genre of historical romance in Chinese literature. *The Romance of the Three Kingdoms* has influenced countless generations of readers, shaping the historical consciousness of East Asia. His work stands as a testament to the cultural flourishing of the late Yuan period, preserving history and folklore through a narrative that continues to be relevant in modern media and literature.

## Notable For
- Authoring *The Romance of the Three Kingdoms*, one of the Four Great Classical Novels.
- Being a prominent literary figure during the Yuan-Ming transition.
- Using the pen names Huhai Sanren and Luo Ben.
- Contributing to the canon of Chinese classical literature.

## Body

### Identity and Names
Luo Guanzhong was a human, specifically a member of the species *Homo sapiens*, who utilized written words to communicate ideas and produce literary works, defining his occupation as a writer. He is known by a variety of names and aliases, reflecting the different cultural and linguistic contexts of his legacy. These include Luo Ben, Guanzhong, Huhai Sanren, Huhaisanren, Guanzhong Luo, and Lo Kuan-chung. In Chinese characters, his name is recorded as 羅本, 羅貫中, 貫中, and 湖海散人, while Japanese transliterations include ら かんちゅう.

### Historical Context: The Yuan Dynasty
Luo Guanzhong lived and wrote during the era of the Yuan dynasty, a Mongol-led imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 1271 to 1368. Established by Kublai Khan, the grandson of Genghis Khan, the Yuan dynasty marked the first time China was governed by a non-Han ethnic group. The dynasty succeeded the Southern Song dynasty and the Mongol Empire, with its capital at Khanbaliq (modern-day Beijing).

The period was characterized by significant cultural and scientific achievements, including the flourishing of Yuan drama, advancements in astronomy led by figures like Guo Shoujing, and the development of blue-and-white porcelain. The dynasty implemented administrative innovations such as a province-based system and the use of paper money (Chao). However, the era eventually faced decline due to internal strife, economic instability, and ethnic tensions. The Red Turban Rebellion, which began in 1351, ultimately led to the overthrow of the Yuan in 1368 and the establishment of the Ming dynasty. This turbulent yet culturally rich environment provided the backdrop for Luo Guanzhong's literary activities.

### Literary Career and Works
As a writer, Luo Guanzhong is most notably associated with *The Romance of the Three Kingdoms*. This work is distinguished as one of China's Four Great Classical Novels. While specific details regarding his other employers, education, or specific publication dates are not available in the provided sources, his association with this monumental work places him among the most important figures in Chinese literary history. The novel itself is a product of the storytelling traditions that thrived during the Yuan dynasty, alongside the dramatic works of playwrights like Guan Hanqing.

### Timeline and Life Span
Luo Guanzhong's life spanned the 14th century. Historical records and academic sources suggest he was born around the year 1330, with some sources specifying a birth date of March 30, 1334. He lived through the transition of power from the Yuan dynasty to the Ming dynasty in 1368. Luo Guanzhong died around the year 1400, closing a life that witnessed the end of Mongol rule in China and the restoration of Han governance under the Ming.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. BnF authorities
4. China Biographical Database
5. International Standard Name Identifier
6. Japan Search
7. CiNii Research
8. Babelio
9. Korean Authority File
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. Open Library
12. CONOR.SI
13. CERL Thesaurus
14. LIBRIS. 2012
15. Media Arts Database
16. Cinemathèque québécoise Linked Open Data
17. Catalogo of the National Library of India