# The Romance of the Three Kingdoms

> one of China's Four Great Classical Novels

**Wikidata**: [Q70806](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q70806)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romance_of_the_Three_Kingdoms)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-romance-of-the-three-kingdoms

## Summary
*The Romance of the Three Kingdoms* is one of China's Four Great Classical Novels, a monumental historical fiction written by Luo Guanzhong during the transition from the Yuan to the Ming dynasty. It is a foundational work of Chinese literature, blending historical events with legendary figures to create a sweeping narrative of political intrigue, war, and heroism.

## Key Facts
- One of China's Four Great Classical Novels, alongside *Journey to the West*, *Water Margin*, and *Investiture of the Gods*.
- Authored by Luo Guanzhong, a 14th-century Chinese writer, under the pen name Huhai Sanren.
- Published around 1350, during the late Yuan dynasty and early Ming dynasty.
- Known by various aliases, including *Heroes of the Three Kingdoms* and *Romance of the Three States*.
- Classified as a war novel and historical fiction, set during the late Eastern Han dynasty (184–220 CE).
- Part of the broader category of literary works, specifically a type of work of art and subclass of written work.
- Associated with the following identifiers: P18 (image), P214 (VIAF ID), P227 (ISBN), P243 (LC Control Number), P244 (LCCN), P269 (BNF ID), P373 (title in Chinese), P409 (NLA ID), P646 (Freebase ID), P648 (Open Library ID), P691 (OCLC), P1036 (Dewey Decimal Classification), P1085 (Library of Congress Classification), P1149 (LCCN), P1417 (topic ID), P1476 (title in other languages), P1617 (Babelio ID), P1922 (opening lines), P2581 (LCCN), P3132 (closing lines), P3417 (Internet Archive ID), P3553 (BNF ID), P4342 (Chinese Library Classification), P4517 (CTP ID), P5732 (Babelio ID), P5909 (UB ID), P6058 (Babelio ID), P6262 (Babelio ID), P6706 (Babelio ID), P6900 (title in Japanese), P7293 (UB ID), P7305 (Babelio ID), P8179 (NCF ID), P8189 (Google Books ID), P8419 (Babelio ID), P8885 (title in Korean), P9545 (Babelio ID), P9984 (UB ID).
- Linked to genres including historical fiction and war novel.
- Part of the broader field of literature and associated with the University of Barcelona authority ID: 981060963149306706.
- Maintained by WikiProject Books and part of the "Category: Literary works."
- Available in multiple languages, including Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.

## FAQs
**What is *The Romance of the Three Kingdoms* and why is it significant?**
*The Romance of the Three Kingdoms* is a foundational work of Chinese literature, blending historical events with legendary figures to create a sweeping narrative of political intrigue, war, and heroism. It is one of China's Four Great Classical Novels and remains a cornerstone of East Asian storytelling, influencing generations of readers and adaptations.

**Who wrote *The Romance of the Three Kingdoms* and when was it published?**
The novel was written by Luo Guanzhong, a 14th-century Chinese writer, under the pen name Huhai Sanren. It was published around 1350, during the transition from the Yuan to the Ming dynasty.

**What are the main themes and genres of *The Romance of the Three Kingdoms*?**
The novel is classified as a war novel and historical fiction, set during the late Eastern Han dynasty (184–220 CE). It explores themes of political intrigue, heroism, and the fall of the Han dynasty, with a focus on the struggles of the Three Kingdoms: Wei, Shu, and Wu.

**What are some of the notable adaptations and influences of *The Romance of the Three Kingdoms*?**
The novel has inspired countless adaptations, including operas, films, and television series, and has been translated into multiple languages. It has also influenced modern literature and media, shaping the historical consciousness of East Asia.

**How does *The Romance of the Three Kingdoms* relate to the Four Great Classical Novels?**
*The Romance of the Three Kingdoms* is one of China's Four Great Classical Novels, alongside *Journey to the West*, *Water Margin*, and *Investiture of the Gods*. These works are regarded as the greatest and most influential pre-modern Chinese fiction, shaping the literary canon of East Asia.

## Why It Matters
*The Romance of the Three Kingdoms* is a monumental work of Chinese literature that has had a profound and enduring impact on East Asian culture. As one of China's Four Great Classical Novels, it is a foundational text that blends historical events with legendary figures to create a sweeping narrative of political intrigue, war, and heroism. The novel's themes of heroism, political maneuvering, and the fall of the Han dynasty continue to resonate with readers, influencing generations of adaptations and interpretations. Its significance lies in its role as a cornerstone of Chinese literature, shaping the historical consciousness of East Asia and inspiring countless works of fiction and media. The novel's enduring legacy ensures its place as a defining text of world literature.

## Notable For
- Being one of China's Four Great Classical Novels, alongside *Journey to the West*, *Water Margin*, and *Investiture of the Gods*.
- Blending historical events with legendary figures to create a sweeping narrative of political intrigue, war, and heroism.
- Inspiring countless adaptations, including operas, films, and television series, and being translated into multiple languages.
- Shaping the historical consciousness of East Asia and influencing modern literature and media.
- Being a cornerstone of Chinese literature, with a profound and enduring impact on East Asian culture.

## Body

### Definition and Nature
*The Romance of the Three Kingdoms* is a monumental historical fiction novel written by Luo Guanzhong during the transition from the Yuan to the Ming dynasty. It is classified as a war novel and historical fiction, set during the late Eastern Han dynasty (184–220 CE). The novel is a foundational work of Chinese literature, blending historical events with legendary figures to create a sweeping narrative of political intrigue, war, and heroism.

### Classification and Relationships
*The Romance of the Three Kingdoms* is part of the broader category of literary works, specifically a type of work of art and subclass of written work. It is one of China's Four Great Classical Novels, alongside *Journey to the West*, *Water Margin*, and *Investiture of the Gods*. The novel is associated with the following identifiers and classifications:
- P18: Sanguo2.PNG, 新刊校正古本大字音释三国志通俗演义 明万历十九年书林周曰校刊本 002.jpg
- P214: 308671431
- P227: 4246675-1
- P243: 1020312496
- P244: n82011710
- P269: 131256289
- P373: Romance of the Three Kingdoms
- P409: 36609390, 40943686
- P646: /m/014sfd
- P648: OL8065661W
- P691: aun2008448123
- P1036: 895.1346
- P1085: 43421
- P1149: PL2690.S33
- P1417: topic/Romance-of-the-Three-Kingdoms
- P1476: 三國演義, Dzieje Trzech Królestw
- P1617: 450e5f2b-fb41-46be-b3dd-93a53579c40e
- P1922: 詞曰：滾滾長江東逝水，浪花淘盡英雄。是非成敗轉頭空：青山依舊在，幾度夕陽紅。白髮漁樵江渚上，慣看秋月春風。一壺濁酒喜相逢：古今多少事，都付笑談中。話說天下大勢，分久必合，合久必分：周末七國分爭，并入於秦。及秦滅之後，楚、漢分爭，又并入於漢。漢朝自高祖斬白蛇而起義，一統天下。後來光武中興，傳至獻帝，遂分為三國。推其致亂之由，殆始於桓、靈二帝。桓帝禁錮善類，崇信宦官。及桓帝崩，靈帝即位，大將軍竇武、太傅陳蕃，共相輔佐。時有宦官曹節等弄權，竇武、陳蕃謀誅之，作事不密，反為所害。中涓自此愈橫。
- P2581: 00806422n
- P3132: 鼎足三分已成夢，後人憑弔空牢騷。
- P3417: Romance-of-the-Three-Kingdoms-book
- P3553: 19583486
- P4342: Sanguo_yanyi
- P4517: ctp:sanguo-yanyi
- P5732: 123217
- P5909: 9811105419403406
- P6058: oeuvre/Roman_des_Trois_Royaumes/141398
- P6262: threekingdoms:Romance_of_the_Three_Kingdoms
- P6706: Romanzo+dei+Tre+Régni,+Il-
- P6900: 三国志演義
- P7293: 9813661967505606
- P7305: 3972037
- P8179: ncf10703130
- P8189: 987007324400605171
- P8419: San Guo Yan Yi | Romance of the Three Kingdoms - All Media Types
- P8885: 삼국지연의
- P9545: 227689, 227693
- P9984: 981060963149306706
- genre: Q908667, Q1196408
- P10565: 675613
- P11196: 三国演义
- P11408: 三国志演義
- aliases: Heroes of the Three Kingdoms, Three Kingdoms, The Heroes of the Three Kingdoms, The Three Kingdoms, Romance of the Three States, Romance of the Three Kingdoms
- part_of: Q753883, Q21007332
- instance_of: Q7725634
- sitelink_count: 71
- wikipedia_title: Romance of the Three Kingdoms
- publication_date: +1350-00-00T00:00:00Z
- country_of_origin: Q7313, Q9903
- wikidata_description: one of China's Four Great Classical Novels

### Cultural and Academic Context
*The Romance of the Three Kingdoms* is a foundational text of Chinese literature, with a profound and enduring impact on East Asian culture. It is part of the broader field of literature and associated with the University of Barcelona authority ID: 981060963149306706. The novel is maintained by WikiProject Books and part of the "Category: Literary works." It is available in multiple languages, including Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.

### Maintenance and Curation
*The Romance of the Three Kingdoms* is maintained by WikiProject Books, which ensures its accurate documentation and categorization. It is also part of the "Category: Literary works" and associated with the "Template: Infobox literary work" for structured representation.

### Distinction from Other Concepts
*The Romance of the Three Kingdoms* is distinct from other literary works by its classification as a war novel and historical fiction, set during the late Eastern Han dynasty. It is also different from general written works, which may include non-literary texts like manuals or reports.

### Role in Digital and Cultural Archives
*The Romance of the Three Kingdoms* is cataloged and preserved in digital and cultural archives using specific identifiers and classification systems, ensuring its long-term accessibility and scholarly engagement.

### Historical Context
*The Romance of the Three Kingdoms* is set during the late Eastern Han dynasty (184–220 CE), a period marked by political intrigue, war, and the fall of the Han dynasty. The novel blends historical events with legendary figures to create a sweeping narrative of heroism and political maneuvering.

### Literary Themes and Influences
The novel explores themes of heroism, political intrigue, and the fall of the Han dynasty, with a focus on the struggles of the Three Kingdoms: Wei, Shu, and Wu. It has inspired countless adaptations, including operas, films, and television series, and has been translated into multiple languages.

### Notable Figures
The novel features a cast of legendary figures, including Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan, who lead the Three Kingdoms. It also includes historical figures such as Emperor Xian of Han and the Three Kingdoms' leaders, who shape the course of the narrative.

### Related Entities
*The Romance of the Three Kingdoms* is related to the following entities:
- Four Great Classical Novels: *Journey to the West*, *Water Margin*, *Investiture of the Gods*
- Yuan dynasty: The period during which Luo Guanzhong wrote the novel
- Ming dynasty: The dynasty that succeeded the Yuan dynasty and was in power during the novel's publication
- Historical fiction: The genre to which the novel belongs
- War novel: The genre to which the novel belongs
- Literary work: The broader category to which the novel belongs

### Legacy and Influence
*The Romance of the Three Kingdoms* has had a profound and enduring impact on East Asian culture, inspiring countless adaptations and interpretations. It remains a cornerstone of Chinese literature, shaping the historical consciousness of East Asia and influencing modern literature and media. The novel's legacy ensures its place as a defining text of world literature.

## References

1. Source
2. [Source](https://search.worldcat.org/title/1020312496)
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. Q136534809
6. BBC Things
7. BabelNet