Origins & Early Life

Sima Xiangru (pronounced [sɹ̩́mà ɕjáŋɻǔ], c. 179 – 117 BC), originally named Sima Quanzi (Chinese: 司馬犬子), courtesy name Zhangqing (長卿), was a Chinese musician, poet, and politician of the Western Han dynasty. Sima is a significant figure in the history of Classical Chinese poetry, and is generally regarded as the greatest of all composers of Chinese fu rhapsodies. His poetry includes his invention or at least development of the fu form, applying new metrical rhythms to the lines of poetry, which he mixed with lines of prose, and provided with several of what would in ensuing centuries become among a group of common set topics for this genre.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Sima Xiangru was also versatile enough to write in the Chu ci style, while it was enjoying a renaissance, and he also wrote lyrics in what would become known as the yuefu formal style. Sima Xiangru was born in the commandery of Shu (now Sichuan Province) in the early 2nd century BC. He probably was born in 179 BC, but some sources give it variously as 172, 171, or 169 BC. Most sources agree that he was born in Chengdu, although the 19th-century scholar Wang Peixun proposed he may actually have been from Pengzhou...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Dong Zhongshu — Contemporary (Born in -179) (-179): Prominent Han Dynasty philosopher who championed Confucianism as the state ideology.
• Huo Qubing — Contemporary (Died in -117) (-117): Legendary Western Han general who defeated the Xiongnu confederation.
• Ptolemy XII Auletes — Contemporary (Born in -117) (-117): Ptolemaic King of Egypt, known as Auletes, who ruled during periods of intense Roman influence.
• Empress Lü — Contemporary figure (Died in -180) (-180): Founding Empress of Han China, wielding immense power as regent and paramount authority.
• Hannibal — Contemporary figure (Died in -183) (-183): Brilliant Carthaginian general who led forces against the Roman Republic in the Second Punic War.
• Philopoemen — Contemporary figure (Died in -183) (-183): A prominent Achaean general and statesman from the 4th century BC.
• Plautus — Contemporary figure (Died in -184) (-184): Pioneering Roman comic playwright whose comedies defined early Latin literature.
• Modu Chanyu — Contemporary figure (Died in -174) (-174): Founder of the Xiongnu Empire, ruling from 209 to 174 BCE.
• -179 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from -179
• -117 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from -117