Xunyu

For Cao Cao's advisor, see Xun Yu.

The Xunyu (Chinese: 獯鬻; Wade–Giles: Hsünyü, pronounced Hünyü) is the name of an ancient nomadic tribe which invaded China during legendary times. They are often identified as the Xiongnu.

Identification

Chinese annals contain a number of references to the Xunyu. The earliest authors were Sima Qian (c. 145 or 135 BC – 86 BC), Ying Shao (AD 140-206), Wei Zhao (204-273), and Jin Zhuo (c. late 3rd or 4th century).[1] Without citing any arguments, they claimed that Xunyu or Xianyun were names that designated nomadic people who during the Han dynasty were called Xiongnu (匈奴). That view was also held by the Tang dynasty commentator Sima Zhen (c. 8th century).[2]

Based on phonetical studies and comparisons of inscriptions on bronze and the structure of the characters, Wang Guowei (1877–1927) came to the conclusion that the tribal names Guifang, Xunyu, Xianyu (鮮虞), Xianyun (獫狁), Rong, Di, and Hu in the old annals designated one and the same people, who later entered Chinese history under the name Xiongnu,[3][4][5] and Eurasian history under the name Huns.

The exact period when the form Xunyu existed as the oldest phonetization of the name "Hun" remains unclear: Sima Qian stated that in the earlier pre-historic period the "Huns" were called Hu and Rong, and in the late pre-historic period Xunyu. In the literate period starting with the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC) they were called Guifang, in the Zhou period (1045–256 BC) they were called Xianyun, and starting from the Qin period (221–206 BC) the Chinese annalists called them Xiongnu.[6][7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Sima Qian, "Shiji", Bo-na, 1958, Ch. 110, p. 1a
  2. ↑ Taskin V.S., "Materials on history of nomadic tribes in China 3rd-5th cc", Issue 3 "Mujuns", "Science", Moscow, 1992, p. 276, ISBN 5-02-016746-0
  3. ↑ Wang Guowei, "Guantang Jilin" (觀堂集林, Wang Guowei collection of works), Ch.2, Ch. 13
  4. ↑ Taskin V.S., "Materials on history of nomadic tribes in China 3rd-5th cc", Issue 3 "Mujuns", p. 276
  5. ↑ Taskin V.S., 1968, "Materials on history of Sünnu", "Science", Moscow, p.10
  6. ↑ Sima Qian, "Shi Chi", Ch. 1, l. 4b, Ch. 110, l. 1a, notes
  7. ↑ in Taskin V.S., "Materials on history of Sünnu", p.10
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