Đại Việt sử lược
Encyclopedia
The Đại Việt sử lược or Việt sử lược (越史略, Abbreviated History of Viet) is an historical text that was compiled during the Trần Dynasty. The 3-volume book was finished around 1377 and covered the history of Vietnam
from the reign of Triệu Đà to the collapse of the Lý Dynasty
. During the Fourth Chinese domination of Vietnam
, the book, together with almost all official records of the Trần Dynasty, was taken away to China
and subsequently collected in the Siku Quanshu
. Đại Việt sử lược is considered the earliest chronicles about the history of Vietnam that remains today.
, the compilation was likely finished around 1377. The author of the book was unknown as well but there are several sources who claim it was the historian Sử Hy Nhan who took charge of the compilation. Ranked first in the 1363 imperial examination
, Sử Hy Nhan was so famous for his knowledge of history that the Trần emperor decided to changed his family name from Trần to Sử (which means "history" in Vietnamese
). Another source reckoned that Đại Việt sử lược was a condensed version of the Đại Việt sử ký
which was written by Lê Văn Hưu
in 1272, or only the book Việt chí (Annals of Viet) by Trần Phổ with the supplements of Trần Dynasty's era names, but they could not verify these two hypotheses because of the lack of historical evidences.
During the Fourth Chinese domination, many valuable books of Đại Việt were taken away by the Ming Dynasty
, including the Đại Việt sử ký, and subsequently were lost. Although being transferred to China, Đại Việt sử lược was still preserved in its original form and was published in the Siku Quanshu
of the Qing Dynasty
under the name Việt sử lược, the first character Đại (大, means Great) was left out to suit the Chinese notion of propriety and historical tradition. Therefore the book is considered the earliest annals about history of Vietnam
that remains today and the most important book which was brought back to Vietnam from China. In 1978, Đại Việt sử lược became the first historical book of Vietnam that was translated directly from Hán tự to Russian
.
(1225) with a supplemental list of era names of Trần emperors from Trần Thái Tông
to Trần Phế Đế
. The contents of Đại Việt sử lược were divided into three volumes (quyển), the first called Quốc sơ diên cách corresponded with the period from the foundation of Văn Lang
, the first nation of Vietnam in the 7th century BCE to the 12 Lords Rebellion
(10th century), the second and third books were named Nguyễn kỷ (Period of the Nguyễn) and narrated the reign of the Lý Dynasty
with the royal family name Lý was changed to Nguyễn by the Trần Dynasty in order to avoid the given name
of Trần Lý, grandfather of the emperor Trần Thái Tông, and make people forget the former dynasty. The quality of compilation of Đại Việt sử lược was not coherent, there were periods which were recorded in details but also some very brief sections. The author of Đại Việt sử lược appeared to attach special importance to the reign of the Lý Dynasty with extensive records while the compilation of the period up to the middle of the 10th century was mainly based on Chinese sources.
History of Vietnam
The history of Vietnam covers a period of more than 2,700 years. By far Vietnam's most important historical international relationship has been with China. Vietnam's prehistory includes a legend about a kingdom known as Van Lang that included what is now China's Guangxi Autonomous Region and...
from the reign of Triệu Đà to the collapse of the Lý Dynasty
Lý Dynasty
The Lý Dynasty , sometimes known as the Later Lý Dynasty , was a Vietnamese dynasty that began in 1009 when Lý Thái Tổ overthrew the Prior Lê Dynasty and ended in 1225 when the queen Lý Chiêu Hoàng was forced to abdicate the throne in favor of her husband, Trần Cảnh. They ruled Vietnam for a...
. During the Fourth Chinese domination of Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
, the book, together with almost all official records of the Trần Dynasty, was taken away to China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and subsequently collected in the Siku Quanshu
Siku Quanshu
The Siku Quanshu, variously translated as the Imperial Collection of Four, Emperor's Four Treasuries, Complete Library in Four Branches of Literature, or Complete Library of the Four Treasuries, is the largest collection of books in Chinese history and probably the most ambitious editorial...
. Đại Việt sử lược is considered the earliest chronicles about the history of Vietnam that remains today.
History of compilation
The exact date of the compilation of Đại Việt sử lược was unknown but due to the last record of the book, which was the era name of Trần Phế ĐếTrần Phế Đế
Trần Phế Đế , given name Trần Hiện , was the tenth emperor of the Trần Dynasty who reigned Đại Việt from 1377 to 1388. After his father's death in Battle of Đồ Bàn in January 1377, Phế Đế was enthroned as Đại Việt Emperor by the Retired Emperor Trần Nghệ Tông who acted as Phế Đế's regent during his...
, the compilation was likely finished around 1377. The author of the book was unknown as well but there are several sources who claim it was the historian Sử Hy Nhan who took charge of the compilation. Ranked first in the 1363 imperial examination
Imperial examination
The Imperial examination was an examination system in Imperial China designed to select the best administrative officials for the state's bureaucracy. This system had a huge influence on both society and culture in Imperial China and was directly responsible for the creation of a class of...
, Sử Hy Nhan was so famous for his knowledge of history that the Trần emperor decided to changed his family name from Trần to Sử (which means "history" in Vietnamese
Vietnamese language
Vietnamese is the national and official language of Vietnam. It is the mother tongue of 86% of Vietnam's population, and of about three million overseas Vietnamese. It is also spoken as a second language by many ethnic minorities of Vietnam...
). Another source reckoned that Đại Việt sử lược was a condensed version of the Đại Việt sử ký
Đại Việt sử ký
The Đại Việt sử ký is the official historical text of the Trần Dynasty, that was compiled by the royal historian Lê Văn Hưu and was finished in 1272...
which was written by Lê Văn Hưu
Lê Văn Hưu
Lê Văn Hưu was an historian of the Trần Dynasty. He is best known for his work the Đại Việt sử ký, the first comprehensive historical record of the history of Vietnam...
in 1272, or only the book Việt chí (Annals of Viet) by Trần Phổ with the supplements of Trần Dynasty's era names, but they could not verify these two hypotheses because of the lack of historical evidences.
During the Fourth Chinese domination, many valuable books of Đại Việt were taken away by the Ming Dynasty
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
, including the Đại Việt sử ký, and subsequently were lost. Although being transferred to China, Đại Việt sử lược was still preserved in its original form and was published in the Siku Quanshu
Siku Quanshu
The Siku Quanshu, variously translated as the Imperial Collection of Four, Emperor's Four Treasuries, Complete Library in Four Branches of Literature, or Complete Library of the Four Treasuries, is the largest collection of books in Chinese history and probably the most ambitious editorial...
of the Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
under the name Việt sử lược, the first character Đại (大, means Great) was left out to suit the Chinese notion of propriety and historical tradition. Therefore the book is considered the earliest annals about history of Vietnam
History of Vietnam
The history of Vietnam covers a period of more than 2,700 years. By far Vietnam's most important historical international relationship has been with China. Vietnam's prehistory includes a legend about a kingdom known as Van Lang that included what is now China's Guangxi Autonomous Region and...
that remains today and the most important book which was brought back to Vietnam from China. In 1978, Đại Việt sử lược became the first historical book of Vietnam that was translated directly from Hán tự to Russian
Russian language
Russian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
.
Contents
The Đại Việt sử lược was written in Hán tự and covered the history of Vietnam from the reign of Triệu Đà (2nd century BCE) to the collapse of the Lý DynastyLý Dynasty
The Lý Dynasty , sometimes known as the Later Lý Dynasty , was a Vietnamese dynasty that began in 1009 when Lý Thái Tổ overthrew the Prior Lê Dynasty and ended in 1225 when the queen Lý Chiêu Hoàng was forced to abdicate the throne in favor of her husband, Trần Cảnh. They ruled Vietnam for a...
(1225) with a supplemental list of era names of Trần emperors from Trần Thái Tông
Trần Thái Tông
Trần Thái Tông, born name: Trần Cảnh , July 17, 1218-May 4, 1277) was the first emperor of the Trần Dynasty, seated on the throne for 33 years , being Grand Emperor for 19 years.-Biography:...
to Trần Phế Đế
Trần Phế Đế
Trần Phế Đế , given name Trần Hiện , was the tenth emperor of the Trần Dynasty who reigned Đại Việt from 1377 to 1388. After his father's death in Battle of Đồ Bàn in January 1377, Phế Đế was enthroned as Đại Việt Emperor by the Retired Emperor Trần Nghệ Tông who acted as Phế Đế's regent during his...
. The contents of Đại Việt sử lược were divided into three volumes (quyển), the first called Quốc sơ diên cách corresponded with the period from the foundation of Văn Lang
Van Lang
Văn Lang was, according to tradition, the first nation of the ancient Vietnamese people, founded in 2879 BC and existing until 258 BC. It was ruled by the Hùng Kings of the Hồng Bàng Dynasty. There is, however, little reliable historical information available...
, the first nation of Vietnam in the 7th century BCE to the 12 Lords Rebellion
The 12 Lords Rebellion
The 12 Lords Rebellion was a period of chaos and civil war in the history of Vietnam, from 966 to 968 AD during the Ngô Dynasty, due to a conflict of succession after the death of King Ngô Quyền.-History:...
(10th century), the second and third books were named Nguyễn kỷ (Period of the Nguyễn) and narrated the reign of the Lý Dynasty
Lý Dynasty
The Lý Dynasty , sometimes known as the Later Lý Dynasty , was a Vietnamese dynasty that began in 1009 when Lý Thái Tổ overthrew the Prior Lê Dynasty and ended in 1225 when the queen Lý Chiêu Hoàng was forced to abdicate the throne in favor of her husband, Trần Cảnh. They ruled Vietnam for a...
with the royal family name Lý was changed to Nguyễn by the Trần Dynasty in order to avoid the given name
Naming taboo
Naming taboo is a cultural taboo against speaking or writing the given names of exalted persons in China and neighboring nations in the ancient Chinese cultural sphere.-Kinds of naming taboo:...
of Trần Lý, grandfather of the emperor Trần Thái Tông, and make people forget the former dynasty. The quality of compilation of Đại Việt sử lược was not coherent, there were periods which were recorded in details but also some very brief sections. The author of Đại Việt sử lược appeared to attach special importance to the reign of the Lý Dynasty with extensive records while the compilation of the period up to the middle of the 10th century was mainly based on Chinese sources.