Yang Xiong (揚雄) | 24 Histories

Overview

Yang Xiong was a scholar and Writer.

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Personal name	Yang Ziyun	杨子云	Yang Ziyun
Courtesy name	Ziyun	子雲	Ziyun
Alternate name	Yangzi	揚子	Yángzǐ

Life and dates

Death

AD 18 天鳳五年卒
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 211

Age

40
BC 24 to BC 10 雄年四十餘，自蜀來至游京師 · Reckoning Sui · Statement over forty when he came from Shu
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 183
71
AD 18 年七十一，天鳳五年卒 · Reckoning Sui
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 211

Attested activity

BC 53 to BC 18 Western Han / Xin transition
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 89, passage 22
BC 33 to BC 7 其三月
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 98, passages 134, 136
BC 33 to BC 7 其十二月
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 98, passage 166
AD 9 to AD 18 及莽篡位
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 186
BC 7 to BC 1 哀帝時
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passages 50-51
BC 7 to AD 5 哀平之際
Dated from the passage context · Book of Later Han 31, passage 5

Show 23 more source-backed claims

AD 18 天鳳五年卒
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 211
BC 53 to AD 18 子雲
Strongly inferred · Book of Chen 16, passage 46
BC 33 to BC 7 孝成帝時
Directly stated · Book of Han 98, passages 57-58, 134, 166
BC 33 to BC 7 成帝時
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 104, passage 198
BC 10 to AD 18 扬雄覃思，法言、大玄
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 117, passage 261
BC 33 to AD 18 揚、班、張、蔡之疇
Strongly inferred · Records of the Three Kingdoms 65, passage 301
BC 53 to AD 18 揚子
Strongly inferred · Book of Song 62, passage 188
BC 20 to AD 18 揚子以為
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 59, passages 279-280
BC 53 to AD 18 揚子寂漠
Directly stated · Book of Song 89, passage 24
BC 53 to AD 18 揚雄（兩漢之際）
Strongly inferred · Book of Northern Qi 18, passages 204-205
BC 53 to AD 18 揚雄以為靡麗之賦
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 67, passage 263
BC 53 to AD 18 揚雄自諭
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 117, passage 225
BC 11 明年…秋…長楊
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 99, passages 2, 5
BC 53 to AD 18 杨子云
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 89, passage 22
AD 9 杨雄曰
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 94, passage 16
BC 33 to BC 7 正月
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 98, passage 58
BC 53 to AD 18 漢之西京
Strongly inferred · Book of Wei 91, passage 6
BC 33 to AD 5 父黨揚子雲以下
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 117, passage 80
AD 9 王莽時…校書天祿閣
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 99, passages 196, 198
BC 33 to AD 5 當成、哀、平間
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 185
BC 7 to AD 18 西漢楊雄
Strongly inferred · History of Song 436, passage 254
c. AD 18 量交
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 14, passage 242
BC 24 to BC 21 陽朔
Directly stated · Book of Han 98, passage 28

Family

Descendant of Yang Ji (揚季)
from Ji to Xiong 自季至雄 · paternal line · 5 generations
Directly stated · Book of Han 98, passage 10
Descendant of Bo Qiao (伯僑)
ancestor 先 · paternal line
Directly stated · Book of Han 98, passage 3
Descendant of Marquis of Yang (揚侯)
paternal line
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 98, passages 3, 10

five generations each transmitted one son
Kinship Role male-heirs-per-generation · Count 1
Directly stated · Book of Han 98, passage 10

Key source chapters

Origins and identity

Yang clan of Shu 揚氏
Directly stated · Book of Han 98, passages 3, 10

Career and standing

gate clerk 門下史
BC 24 to BC 10 召以為門下史 · Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 183
gentleman serving at the Yellow Gate 郎，給事黃門
BC 22 to BC 10 奏《羽獵賦》，除為郎，給事黃門 · Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 183
expectant official 待詔
BC 24 to BC 10 薦雄待詔 · Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 183
expectant scholar at Chengming 待詔承明之庭
Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Han 98, passage 57
Palace Attendant 黃門郎
Held
Directly stated · Book of Han 104, passage 198
grandee 大夫
AD 10 雄以病免，復召爲大夫 · Recalled
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 204

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grandee 大夫
AD 9 to AD 18 以耆老久次轉為大夫 · Transferred
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 186
Entered
AD 10 雄以病免 · Illness dismissal
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 204
not to be questioned 勿問
AD 9 有詔勿問 · Pardoned · Authority Wang Mang (王莽)
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passages 199, 201

Places and affiliations

Western Han 漢
Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Han 98, passage 57
Polity Han 汉 · Relation Served
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 117, passage 261
Polity Han 漢 · Relation Associated with
Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 65, passages 299, 301
Polity Han 漢 · Relation Served
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 117, passage 225
Polity Western Han 漢 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passages 183, 185
Polity Western Han 西漢 · Relation Lived under
Strongly inferred · Book of Northern Qi 18, passage 204

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Polity Western Han 西漢 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Han 104, passage 198
Polity Western Han 西漢 · Relation Served
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 117, passage 80; History of Song 436, passage 254
Polity Xin 新 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passages 186, 196
At Chengdu 成都 · Relation Native of
Directly stated · Book of Han 98, passage 2
At Shu 蜀 · Relation Came from
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 183
At capital 京師 · Relation Traveled to
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 183
At Pi south of Mount Min 岷山之陽曰郫 · Relation Resided at
Directly stated · Book of Han 98, passages 9-10
At Shu commandery 蜀郡 · Relation Native of
Directly stated · Book of Han 98, passage 2
At Tianlu Pavilion 天祿閣 · Relation Posted to
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 198

Learning and skills

Skill fu poetry / rhapsody 辭賦 · Level practiced
Directly stated · Book of Han 98, passage 16

Works and attributed material

Rhapsody on the Capital of Shu 蜀都賦
Relation Author
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 18, passage 204
Wine Admonition 酒箴
Relation Author
Directly stated · Book of Han 104, passage 198
Model Sayings and Great Mystery 法言、大玄
Directly stated · Book of Han 117, passage 261
Broadening Sao 廣騷
Relation Author
Directly stated · Book of Han 98, passage 21
Contrary Lisao 反離騷
Relation Author
Directly stated · Book of Han 98, passage 20
Dispelling Difficulty 解難
Relation Author
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 124

Show 29 more source-backed claims

Dispelling Mockery 解嘲
Relation Author
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 52
Exemplary Sayings 法言
Relation Author
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passages 154, 188
fu-rhapsodies 辞赋
Relation Author
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 89, passage 22
Great Mystery 大玄
Relation Author
Directly stated · Book of Han 117, passage 261
Great Mystery 太玄
Relation Author
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passages 51, 187
Hedong Rhapsody 河東賦
Relation Author
Directly stated · Book of Han 98, passage 136
Model Sayings 法言
Relation Author
Directly stated · Book of Han 117, passage 261
Provincial Admonitions 州箴
Relation Author
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 190
Rhapsody on Changyang 長楊賦
Relation Author
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 5
Rhapsody on the Capital of Shu 蜀都賦
Relation Author
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 18, passage 204
Rhapsody on the Imperial Hunt 羽獵賦
Relation Author
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 183
School Hunt Rhapsody 校獵賦
Relation Author
Directly stated · Book of Han 98, passage 177
Sorrow in Captivity 畔牢愁
Relation Author
Directly stated · Book of Han 98, passage 22
Sweet Springs Rhapsody 甘泉賦
Relation Author
Directly stated · Book of Han 98, passage 58
Training Compendium 訓纂
Relation Author
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 189
Wine Admonition 酒箴
Relation Author
Directly stated · Book of Han 104, passage 198
Comment · Author · Paraphrased · About Person Ids Emperor Wen of Han (漢文帝), Zhou Yafu (周亞夫), Lian Po (廉頗), Li Mu (李牧)
Directly stated · Book of Han 59, passages 279-280
Wine Admonition remonstrating Emperor Cheng
Essay · Author · With Emperor Cheng (成帝)
Directly stated · Book of Han 104, passages 198-205
Dispelling Difficulty 解難
Essay · Author
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passages 124-126, 129
Dispelling Mockery 解嘲
Essay · Author
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passages 52-54, 60
Judgment · Speaker
Directly stated · Book of Han 67, passage 263
Quotation · Author · Direct quotation · Mode quotation Speaker Yang Xiong (揚雄)
Directly stated · History of Song 80, passage 309
Quotation · Speaker · Quote true
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 94, passage 16
Contrary Lisao 反離騷
Rhapsody · Author
Directly stated · Book of Han 98, passages 23-56
Hedong Rhapsody 河東賦
Rhapsody · Author
Directly stated · Book of Han 98, passages 136-165
Rhapsody on Changyang 長楊賦
Rhapsody · Author
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passages 5-7
School Hunt Rhapsody 校獵賦
Rhapsody · Author
Directly stated · Book of Han 98, passages 177-248
Sweet Springs Rhapsody 甘泉賦
Rhapsody · Author
Directly stated · Book of Han 98, passages 58-126
excused obscurity by missing the age of Su Qin, Zhang Yi, Fan Ju, and Cai Ze
Self explication · Author · Mode hearsay Witness Person Id Ban Gu (班固)
Directly stated · Book of Han 117, passage 225

Events and relationships

Accompanied feather hunt
BC 33 to BC 7 十二月 · Hunt · Attendant
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 98, passage 166
Accompanied to Sweet Springs
BC 33 to BC 7 正月 · Ritual tour · Attendant
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 98, passage 58
Leapt from pavilion
AD 9 雄校書天祿閣上…自投下 · Political · Victim · At Tianlu Pavilion 天祿閣 · Outcome Nearly died; later pardoned
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passages 198, 201
Presented Sweet Springs rhapsody as remonstrance
Literary · Author
Directly stated · Book of Han 98, passages 58, 133
Presented
BC 11 雄從至射熊館，還，上《長楊賦》 · Literary · Author · At Changyang Bear-Shooting Lodge 長楊射熊館
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 5
Summoned to await edicts
Court · Summoned writer · With Emperor Cheng of Han (漢成帝)
Directly stated · Book of Han 98, passage 57

Show 13 more source-backed claims

Visited Ban household
Social · Visitor
Directly stated · Book of Han 117, passage 80
Relation Served alongside · Person Wang Mang (王莽)
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 183
Relation Literary model of · Person Sima Xiangru (司馬相如)
Directly stated · Book of Han 98, passage 17
Relation Honored by · Person Liu Xin (劉歆)
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 195
Relation Served alongside · Person Liu Xin (劉歆)
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 183
Relation Served alongside · Person Dong Xian (董賢)
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 184
Relation Associate of father of · Person Ban Biao (班彪)
Directly stated · Book of Han 117, passage 80
Relation Honored by · Person Fan Qun (范逡)
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 195
Relation Debated with · Person Huan Tan (桓譚)
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 31, passage 5
Relation Praised by · Person Huan Tan (桓譚)
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passages 195, 212
Relation Recommended by · Person Wang Yin (王音)
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 183
Relation Teacher of · Person Liu Fen (劉棻)
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 200
Relation Teacher of · Person Hou Ba (侯芭)
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 206

Assessments and attributes

Assessment emperor marvelled at the rhapsody · Mode narrative
Directly stated · Book of Han 98, passage 133
Assessment failed to refute opportunism with the correct Way or clarify what the gentleman guards · Mode named-person-judgment Speaker Ban Gu (班固)
Directly stated · Book of Han 117, passage 225
Assessment Han-era literary exemplar Hua He should surpass · Assessor Person Id Sun Hao (皓) · Mode named-source-report Speaker Sun Hao (皓)
Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 65, passage 301
Assessment indifferent to power and profit · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 186
Assessment leading literary name of Western Han capital · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Wei 91, passage 6
Assessment opulent fu exhort a hundred and remonstrate one, like Zheng and Wei music ending in a scrap of elegance—mere play · Mode commentator-judgment Speaker Yang Xiong (揚雄)
Directly stated · Book of Han 67, passage 263

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Assessment peerless · Mode named-person-judgment Source Person Id Huan Tan (桓譚)
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 195
Assessment reached the ruler's gates, fathomed the sages' inner rooms, and left texts that blaze for later men—next after the highest · Mode speaker-judgment Speaker Host (主人)
Directly stated · Book of Han 117, passage 261
Assessment virtuous talent treated as dust when powerless · Mode quoted-source Speaker Liu Jun (劉峻)
Directly stated · Book of Liang 14, passages 242-243
easygoing, quiet, few desires, not eager for wealth or rank
Character
Directly stated · Book of Han 98, passage 12
loved wine; household always poor; few visitors
Habit
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 205
stammered; could not talk rapidly
Speech
Directly stated · Book of Han 98, passage 12
AD 18 侯芭為起墳
Item tomb 墳 · Relation Burial · With Hou Ba (侯芭)
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 211
Item estate under ten jin of gold 家產不過十金 · Relation Possessed
Directly stated · Book of Han 98, passage 13

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 18, passage 204; Book of Han 117, passage 80; Book of Wei 91, passage 14
feared one misstep would destroy his whole clan
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 60
Wrote that before full moon the moon's spirit is borne in the west and after full moon ends in the east, asking whether it follows the sun
Directly stated · History of Song 80, passage 309