Who was/is the GOAT historian? My vote goes to pic related

>>2961303
Second that vote. Sima Qian was a historian with balls, and I say that with utmost respect for him and utmost sympathy for what happened to him.

>>2961303
Third that, the Shiji is phenomenal.

>>2961662
Especially considering that Chinese castration went all the way

File: 1439135838440.png (65KB, 251x258px) Image search: [Google]

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>>2961303
>Got castrated but was so devoted to his craft and to his father that he endured the humiliation to finish one of the grandest works of history every written

"If even the lowest slave and scullion maid can bear to commit suicide, why should not one like myself be able to do what has to be done? But the reason I have not refused to bear these ills and have continued to live, dwelling in vileness and disgrace without taking my leave, is that I grieve that I have things in my heart which I have not been able to express fully, and I am shamed to think that after I am gone my writings will not be known to posterity. Too numerous to record are the men of ancient times who were rich and noble and whose names have yet vanished away. It is only those who were masterful and sure, the truly extraordinary men, who are still remembered. ... I too have ventured not to be modest but have entrusted myself to my useless writings. I have gathered up and brought together the old traditions of the world which were scattered and lost. I have examined the deeds and events of the past and investigated the principles behind their success and failure, their rise and decay, in one hundred and thirty chapters. I wished to examine into all that concerns heaven and man, to penetrate the changes of the past and present, completing all as the work of one family. But before I had finished my rough manuscript, I met with this calamity. It is because I regretted that it had not been completed that I submitted to the extreme penalty without rancor. When I have truly completed this work, I shall deposit it in the Famous Mountain. If it may be handed down to men who will appreciate it, and penetrate to the villages and great cities, then though I should suffer a thousand mutilations, what regret should I have?"

I-I-I'm not crying...

>>2963392
GOAT
O
A
T

How can anyone not see this man as a hero?

>>2963392
...yeah, fuck everyone who says he's "China's Herodotus." Herodotus has nothing on this guy holy shit.