Ancient China · Legendary Ruler

Yao 堯 / 唐

Yáo

Legendary antiquity

Passages: 3
Chapters: 1
Histories: 1

Overview

Yao was a Legendary Ruler.

Life and dates

Attested activity

legendary antiquity
Directly stated · Book of Song 56, passages 82, 201, 210

Events and relationships

His age was invoked as a time when coin could not relieve famine
Historical example · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Song 56, passage 201
Used symbolic punishments
Legal policy example
Directly stated · Book of Song 56, passage 82

References in the histories

Book of Song, Chapter 56Volume 56 Biographies 16: Xie Zhan, Kong Linzhi · 3 passages

玄又議複肉刑，琳之以為：「唐、虞象刑，夏禹立辟，蓋淳薄既異，致化實同，寬猛相濟，惟變所適。 Xuan also proposed restoring corporal mutilation. Linzhi argued: "Tang and Yu used symbolic punishments, while Yu of Xia established capital statutes—because simplicity and decadence differed, yet the goal of transforming society was the same. Leniency and severity complement each other; each must change as circumstances require.

錢雖盈尺，既不療饑於堯年； Though coin might fill a foot measure, it could not relieve famine in the age of Yao;

既而蕩滌圓法，銷鑄勿遺，立制垂統，永傳於後，比屋稱仁，豈伊唐世。 Then wash away round coin, melt and cast until none remain, establish institutions to last forever—every household praising benevolence: would this not surpass even the age of Tang?