E.H. Gombrich 'A Little History of the World' 14. An Enemy of History

Summary

In Chapter 14 of 'A Little History of the World,' Emperor Qin Shi Huang emerges as an adversary of history, ordering the burning of historical texts in 213 BC to erase past knowledge and forge a new China. Despite his efforts to create a legacy through monumental projects like the Great Wall, his reign was short-lived. The Han dynasty, which succeeded him, embraced history, valuing ancient writings and establishing a meritocratic system where scholars could rise to officialdom through examinations. The chapter concludes with a warning against the suppression of history, emphasizing its importance for innovation.

Takeaways

• 📚 Shu Hong, the first emperor of a united China, was an enemy of history, ordering the burning of historical texts in 213 BC.
• 🔥 Shu Hong's destruction of books was an attempt to erase historical knowledge and create a new China from scratch.
• 🏰 Shu Hong was a great warrior who built the Great Wall of China to protect against the warlike tribes of Inner Asia.
• 🛣️ The Great Wall is a massive construction that stretches for thousands of miles, symbolizing China's strength and unity.
• 👑 Shu Hong's reign was short, and after his death, the Han dynasty ascended to the throne, valuing history and Confucian teachings.
• 📈 The Han dynasty continued Shu Hong's work, maintaining China's strength and unity while embracing historical knowledge.
• 📖 Despite Shu Hong's efforts, many ancient writings were preserved by courageous individuals who hid them from destruction.
• 🎓 The Han dynasty established a meritocratic system where scholars, regardless of background, could become officials through examinations.
• 📝 To become a government official, one had to master a vast number of ancient texts and Confucian teachings.
• 🚫 Shu Hong's attempt to erase history was ultimately futile, as history is essential for learning from the past and informing the future.

Q & A

Who was the emperor of China that ordered the burning of history books?

The emperor who ordered the burning of history books was Shi Huang Ti, also known as Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of a unified China.

Why did Shi Huang Ti hate history?

Shi Huang Ti hated history because he wanted to wipe out every trace of how things had been done before, so he could build an entirely new China from scratch.

What was the significance of the Great Wall of China built by Shi Huang Ti?

The Great Wall of China was built to protect China's peasants and townspeople from the wild tribes of the steppes whose warlike horsemen roamed the vast plains of inner Asia.

What was the primary reason for Shi Huang Ti's destruction of books?

The primary reason for the destruction of books was to eliminate knowledge of past practices and to establish a new order without historical influences.

What type of books did Shi Huang Ti allow to remain?

Shi Huang Ti permitted only books on agriculture and other useful subjects, considering everything else to be useless rubbish.

What was the consequence for those found in possession of banned books during Shi Huang Ti's reign?

Anyone found in possession of banned books was to be put to death.

How did the Han dynasty's attitude towards history differ from Shi Huang Ti's?

The Han dynasty did not share Shi Huang Ti's animosity towards history. Instead, they valued ancient writings and Confucian teachings, collecting and treasuring them.

What was the significance of the Han dynasty's rule in terms of historical preservation?

The Han dynasty's rule marked a period where historical records were not only preserved but also highly valued, leading to a society where scholars played a significant role in governance.

How did the Han dynasty's approach to governance differ from previous dynasties?

The Han dynasty was unique in that it was ruled by scholars rather than nobility, soldiers, or the priesthood. This was based on a meritocratic system where officials were chosen through exams.

What was the requirement for becoming a government official in China under the Han dynasty?

To become a government official, one had to gain high marks in exams, which required knowledge of thousands of characters and mastery of ancient books and Confucian teachings.

What lesson does the script imply about the importance of historical knowledge?

The script suggests that historical knowledge is crucial for innovation and progress. It warns against the idea of preventing people from knowing their history, as it is essential to learn from past attempts.