망각과 재창출 : 『史記』 「匈奴列傳」에 기술된 戰國 燕의 영토확장과 東胡

Abstract

Sima Qian 司馬遷 described the expansion of Yan"s 燕 territory in the late Warring States period in the “Xiongnu liezhuan” 匈奴列傳 and the “Chaoxian liezhuan” 朝鮮列傳, dividing its targets into Donghu 東胡 and Joseon* 朝鮮. His arrangement is untenable however, since historical records dealing with the expansion of Yan"s territory were not conveyed at the time of writing the Shiji 史記. Even anecdotes about major events and historical information of the Warring States period failed to deliver the specific information. This study analyses the way of describing the establishment of Peripheral Commandery 邊郡 of Qin 秦, Zhao 趙, and Yan 燕 during the Warring States period in the “Xiongnuliezhuan,” and explains why the enlargement of Yan"s territory was divided into the “Xiongnu liezhuan” and the “Chaoxian liezhuan,” respectively. At the time of composing the Shiji there were few historical texts remained, because the First Emperor of the Qin 秦 Dynasty destroyed most historical records regarding other feudal states. Sima Qian 司馬遷 describes Donghu 東胡 as the only enemy against Yan’s expansion. But there must have been many other different groups forgotten by the Han period in the region. The reason Sima Qian mentions Donghu as the sole object of Yan’s conquest is that the anecdote about King Wuring of Zhao 趙武靈王 depicted Donghu and Yan as threats in the vicinity of Zhao 趙. Another important reason is the fact that Donghu is depicted as a thriving power in the northern area of Five Commanderies during the Qin-Han transition period. The later recognition of Donghu as one of the strongest counterparts of China Proper caused Sima Qian to narrate its history anachronistically. It is almost impossible to find the exact location of Donghu during the Warring States period. Many scholars’ search for the archaeological remains of the group seems to be useless as well.