Stone inscriptions were also used in China. The most famous example is from the imperial college or university established under the HAN dynasty at luoyang in Henan province. During the reign of the Eastern Han emperor LINGDI in 175 C. E., a group of scholars were charged to write the Confucian classics. These were then carved on 46 stone inscriptions, a task that reputedly occupied the carvers for seven years. The inscriptions were then set up for all to admire and learn. It is recorded that these texts became such an attraction that they caused difficulties with visitors’ transport. The first emperor, qin shi-HUANGDI (259-210 b. c.e.), also set up inscriptions to record his achievements. One of his most famous texts was on Langya Mountain in Shandong province on the occasion of his visit there in 219 b. c.e. sima qian recorded the message, but today only the first two lines remain in a very worn condition, and they list the officials who accompanied the emperor. There follow an edict issued by the second emperor in 209 b. c.e. and a list of his officials. The words recorded by Sima Qian a century after the event describe how the emperor was wise and righteous, giving peace and harmony to the world: “Weights and measures have a single standard, words are written in a uniform way. . . he rectifies diverse customs, crossing rivers, traversing the land.”
The first emperor set up another inscription also in Shandong, at Mount Tai. On his way down the mountain, he sheltered under a tree from the rain and in gratitude for the shelter gave the tree the title of fifth-rank counselor. Sima Qian also recorded the text of this inscription: It begins by stating that the emperor after ascending the throne issued laws that all must obey. He united the world; all submitted to him. This wise and noble ruler produced universal peace, and his influence will last for succeeding generations.
In 215 B. C.E. Qin Shihuangdi traveled to the Gulf of Bohai, where he had an inscription placed on the gate of the city of Jieshi. This text also extolled his virtues, laying stress on how he “demolished walls and fortifications, opened up waterways, cut through embankments, and leveled the steep declivities.” It ends with the statement that the officials sought permission to raise this inscription so that the emperor’s achievements would be known to succeeding generations.
World History
