Book of Law
Encyclopedia
The Canon of Laws or Classic of Law is a lost legal code that has been attributed to Lǐ Kuǐ , a Legalist
scholar and minister who lived in the State of Wei
during the Warring States Period of Chinese history (475-220 BCE). This code has traditionally been dated to the early fourth century BCE, but scholars now widely consider it to be a forgery from the fifth or sixth century CE.
According to the traditional account, which first appeared in the monograph on law (Xingfa zhi 刑法志) of the Book of Jin
, the Canon of Laws was the earliest legal canon of ancient China and became the basis for all later legal works. It is said that Legalist reformer Shāng Yǎng
took it to the State of Qin
where it became the basis of the law of the State of Qin and later the law of the Qin Dynasty
.
Although the original text has been lost, according to later records the Canon of Laws comprised six chapters:
Legalism (Chinese philosophy)
In Chinese history, Legalism was one of the main philosophic currents during the Warring States Period, although the term itself was invented in the Han Dynasty and thus does not refer to an organized 'school' of thought....
scholar and minister who lived in the State of Wei
Wei (state)
The State of Wei was a Zhou Dynasty vassal state during the Warring States Period of Chinese history. Its territory lay between the states of Qin and Qi and included parts of modern day Henan, Hebei, Shanxi and Shandong...
during the Warring States Period of Chinese history (475-220 BCE). This code has traditionally been dated to the early fourth century BCE, but scholars now widely consider it to be a forgery from the fifth or sixth century CE.
According to the traditional account, which first appeared in the monograph on law (Xingfa zhi 刑法志) of the Book of Jin
Book of Jin
The Book of Jin is one of the official Chinese historical works. It covers the history of Jin Dynasty from 265 to 420, which written by a number of officials commissioned by the court of Tang Dynasty, with the lead editor being the Prime Minister Fang Xuanling, drawing mostly from the official...
, the Canon of Laws was the earliest legal canon of ancient China and became the basis for all later legal works. It is said that Legalist reformer Shāng Yǎng
Shang Yang
Shang Yang was an important statesman of the State of Qin during the Warring States Period of Chinese history. Born Wei Yang in the State of Wei, with the support of Duke Xiao of Qin Yang enacted numerous reforms in Qin...
took it to the State of Qin
Qin (state)
The State of Qin was a Chinese feudal state that existed during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods of Chinese history...
where it became the basis of the law of the State of Qin and later the law of the Qin Dynasty
Qin Dynasty
The Qin Dynasty was the first imperial dynasty of China, lasting from 221 to 207 BC. The Qin state derived its name from its heartland of Qin, in modern-day Shaanxi. The strength of the Qin state was greatly increased by the legalist reforms of Shang Yang in the 4th century BC, during the Warring...
.
Although the original text has been lost, according to later records the Canon of Laws comprised six chapters:
- Theft and robbery law
- Treason law
- Prisoner or extent of justice law
- Law of arrest
- Miscellaneous law
- Law of possession
Other references
- “History of the Chinese Legal System”, Pu Jian, Central Radio & TV University Press October 2006 ISBN 7-304-02441-0/D•209, Chapter four, second section.