Contentedness and Purpose: A Study of Stylistic Features of A History of States

From the editing perspective, the writing of A History of States was not the simple compilation of historical materials. The compiler had his tenets reflected through his unique compilation styles and methods run through the whole work. This determined the basic orientation. Through the analysis of textual structures, narrative methods and material sources, we can find the compilation conceptions of this classic work: annals made according to separate states chronically, main record with morals attached to stories, construction of orthodox, combination between biography and history.