Han Emperors and Their Male Favorites: The “Ningxing” Chapters of Shiji and Hanshu

Abstract

Abstract A close reading of the “Ningxing” (Male favorites) chapters of the Shiji (Archivist’s records) and Hanshu (History of the Han) reveals numerous important differences between the visions of male favoritism advanced by Sima Qian (ca. 145-86 BCE) and Ban Gu (32-92 CE), as well as certain similarities. The present essay thus seeks tentative answers to the following questions: What did Sima Qian and Ban Gu mean by the terms ning and ningxing? What might have moved them to compile these chapters, and what strategies were used to convey their message? What is the role of same-sex desire and patron-client relationships in these sources, and how is this related to the negotiation of political power? While both historians sought to deliver warnings to rulers and favorites about the disastrous consequences that could result from engaging in certain kinds of inappropriate relationships with other men, neither Sima Qian nor Ban Gu criticized same-sex romance or even ‘favoritism’ (chong, xing) per se. Instead, the focus was on favoritism that was “excessive” (shen) or overly “ardent” (du). However, Sima Qian and Ban Gu also came to different conclusions on other issues. Sima Qian’s chapter is an almost sympathetic account of opportunistic and misguided men who suffered personal misfortune as a result of their poor judgment, while Ban Gu portrayed male favorites as scheming villains who threatened the very survival of the dynasty.