Today is the birthday of Song Dynasty über-historian Sima Guang,* born November 17, 1019, compiler and author of voluminous works including the Zizhi Tongjian (“Comprehensive Mirror on the Government”), a historical tour de force with 294 volumes and 3 million characters chronicling over a millennium of history.
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* Same surname, but not to be confused with the Han Dynasty Grand Historian Sima “You want to cut what off, now?” Qian.
Sounds like Sima of the Han Dynasty had a tricky time of it. My internet connection is rubbish and is stumbling over the link but I will be back as I’m intrigued.