Rafe de Crespigny

Provinces and Commandery Units of Later Han

A Biographical Dictionary of later Han to the Three Kingdoms (23-220 AD)

The table below is based on the list of provinces, commanderies, kingdoms and dependent states presented in the Treatise on Administrative Geography 郡國志, HHS 109/19-113/23, taken over from the Xu Han shu of Sima Biao. HHS 109/19.3389 dates the census figures for Henan commandery to the fifth year of the Yonghe 永和 period of Emperor Shun, 140 AD, and this has commonly been taken as the date relevant to all the entries. Much of the information in the Treatise relates to earlier or later years, however, and Sima Biao's text was probably based upon "Notes of the Marquis Fu on Things Ancient and Modern" 伏侯古今注" by Fu Wuji 伏無忌, which dealt with the situation of 144-145, following the death of Emperor Shun. MBeck 90.187-189 discusses Sima Biao's use of the original material and finds fault with his editing.

Despite errors and confusions, however, the Treatise provides a good picture of the situation about the middle of the second century, and I have used it as the base for this table, providing details of name and/or status changes before and after the 140s under each entry. During the years of civil war which followed the death of Emperor Ling in 189, however, many warlords made changes to commandery and provincial units; these were often contradictory and only a few of the rearrangements are cited below, while others are mentioned at appropriate places among the biographies. 1

The term "province" which appears in the Treatise is synonymous with a "region" controlled by an Inspector 剌史, though "region" appears more frequently in Former Han. Provinces headed by Governors [the title is also rendered as Shepherd] were formally maintained under Later Han until 42, and were restored for some regions from 188. The difference is that a Governor had status comparable to that of a Minister and possessed executive authority, while an Inspector ranked below the heads of the commandery units in his division: in normal circumstances he was entitled only to report wrong-doing and could take no direct action.

The general term "commandery units" describes commanderies , kingdoms [or royal states] 王國, and dependent states of commandery rank 屬國. Each entry in the table includes a summary of the changed status of the unit: where a kingdom is created or abolished there is reference to a relevant biography.

The term "counties" includes also marquisates 侯國 of that rank, estates which were the appanages of princesses, and some duchies . The evidence is too slight, and the complications too great, to allow notice of minor transfers of counties from one commandery unit to another, but such changes certainly took place. One complex example is Anping 安平, home territory of the distinguished Cui family. The county was in Zhuo commandery during Former Han and presumably at the beginning of Later Han, but was at some time incorporated into Xindu 信都, which was renamed Lecheng 樂城 in 72. The name of Lecheng was changed to Anping in 122, but from 158 to 220 the county was part of the new establishment of Boling 博陵. 2

Population figures in registered households 户 hu and individual persons kou for each commandery unit are provided by the Treatise, and I total them for each province. A number of corrections have been made by Bielenstein and other commentators. The total for the empire is given by Sima Biao as 9,698,630 households and 49,140,220 persons [HHS 113/23.3533], evidently relating to the early 140s; the figures at the time of the death of Emperor Shun in 145 are given by the commentator Liu Zhao quoting Fu Wuji as 9,946,919 households and 49,735,150 persons [HHS 113/23.3534]: MBeck 90.189.

 Sili 司隸 [the capital province]

  • [HHS 109/19.3385-3408]

    Seven commandery units, 106 counties,

    616,355 households, 3,106,161 persons;

    headquarters at Luoyang 洛陽 in Henan [the imperial capital]  

  • Henan 河南

    [HHS 109/19.3389-95]

    21 counties

    208,486 households

    1,010,827 persons

    established in Former Han  

  • Henei 河内

    [HHS 109/19.3395-97]

    18 counties

    159,770 households

    801,558 persons

    established in Former Han 

  • Hedong 河東

    [HHS 109/19.3397-3401]

    20 counties

    93,543 households

    570,803 persons

    established in Former Han 

  • Hongnong 弘農

    [HHS 109/19.3401-03]

    9 counties

    46,815 households

    199,113 persons

    established in Former Han;

    during the reign of Emperor Ling the name of Hongnong was changed to Hengnong 恆農 to avoid taboo on the ruler's personal name; the variant, however, seldom appears in texts 

  • Jingzhao [yin] 京北尹

    [HHS 109/19.3403-05]

    10 counties 10

    53,299 households

    285,574 persons

    established in Former Han;

    headed by the Intendant of Jingzhao 3

  • Zuopingyi 左馮翊 or Pingyi 4

    [HHS 109/19.3405-06]

    13 counties

    37,090 households

    145,195 persons

    established in Former Han;

    kingdom of Liu Yan from 41 to 54 

  • Youfufeng 右扶風 or Fufeng 5

    [HHS 109/19.3406-08]

    15 counties

    17,352 households

    93,091 persons

    established in Former Han;

    In 189 the western part of Youfufeng was divided off to form Han'an 漢安, later called Hanxing 漢興; the new commandery was ended about 215

    Yu province 豫州 or region

    [HHS 110/20.3421-31]

    Six commandery units, 99 counties,

    1,142,783 households, 6,179,139 persons;

    headquarters at Qiao . In Pei 

  • Yingchuan 潁川

    [HHS 110/20.3421-24]

    17 counties

    263,440 households

    1,436,513 persons

    established in Former Han 

  • Runan 汝南

    [HHS 110/20.3424-26]

    37 counties

    404,448 households

    2,100,788 persons

    established in Former Han;

    In 82 eight counties were taken for the state of Liu Xian, King of Xiping 西平, but they were returned to Runan in 88 

  • Liang

    [HHS 110/20.3426-27]

    9 counties

    83,300 households

    431,283 persons

    established in Former Han;

    kingdom of Liu Chang and successors from 79 to 220 

  • Pei

    [HHS 110/20.3427-28]

    21 counties

    200,495 households

    1,251,393 persons 6

    established in Former Han;

    kingdom of Liu Fu and successors from 44 to 220 

  • Chen

    [HHS 110/20.3429]

    9 counties

    112,653 households

    547,572 persons

    Huaiyang 淮陽 of Former Han;

    kingdom of Liu Yan from 41 to 73;

    name changed to Chen in 88;

    kingdom of Liu Bing from 79 to 87, of Liu Xian and successors from 88 to 119, and of Liu Chong and successors from 120 to 197 [Liu Chong

  • Lu

    [HHS 110/20.3429-31]

    6 counties

    78,447 households

    411,590 persons

    established in Former Han;

    kingdom of Liu Xing / from 26 to 37 and from 43 to 52;

    Included in the fief of Liu Qiang the King of Donghai from 52, and held by his successors until 220 

  • Ji province 冀州 or region

    [HHS 110/20.3431-37]

    Nine commandery units, 100 counties,

    908,005 households, 5,440,340 persons;

    headquarters at Gaoyi 高邑 in Changshan 

  • Wei

    [HHS 110/20.3431-33]

    15 counties

    129,310 households

    695,606 persons

    established in Former Han;

    centre of the duchy and then kingdom of Cao Cao 曹操 from 213 

  • Julu 鉅鹿

    [HHS 110/20.3433]

    15 counties

    109,517 households

    602,096 persons

    established in Former Han;

    In 37 incorporated the former territory of Guangping 廣平;

    Guangping was the title of the kingdom of Liu Xian from 60 to 82, but it does not appear to have been a commandery-level establishment;

    Julu was the title of the kingdom of Liu Gong from 72 to 78;

    during 93 Julu was divided to form the fief of Liu Wansui, King of Guangzong 廣宗 

  • Changshan 常山

    [HHS 110/20.3433]

    13 counties

    97,500 households

    631,184 persons

    established in Former Han;

    In 37 incorporated the former territory of Zhending 真定, which had been a kingdom under Former Han but was abolished by Wang Mang; Zhending was restored about 23, but ended in 37 [Liu Yang // and Liu De /];

    Changshan was the kingdom of Liu Ze and successors from 90 to 206 

  • Zhongshan 中山

    [HHS 110/20.3434-35]

    13 counties

    97,412 households

    658,195 persons

    established in Former Han;

    kingdom of Liu Mao from 25 to 37;

    kingdom of Liu Fu from 41 to 44;

    kingdom of Liu Yan and successors from 52 to c.174 [Liu Zhi ];

    divided to form Boling 博陵 in 158; Boling was a kingdom from 213 to 220 [Liu Gui

  • Anping 安平

    [HHS 110/20.3435-36]

    13 counties

    91,440 households

    655,118 persons

    Xindu 信都 of Former Han;

    name changed to Lecheng 樂城 in 72;

    kingdom of Liu Dang and successors from 72 to 119 and in 120;

    name changed to Anping in 122;

    kingdom of Liu De / and successors from 122 to 184 [Liu Xu

  • Hejian 河間

    [HHS 110/20.3436]

    11 counties

    93,754 households

    634,421 persons

    kingdom under Former Han, abolished by Wang Mang;

    re-established in 31, but abolished again in 37 [Liu Shao ];

    re-established as a kingdom for Liu Kai and successors from 90 to 200 

  • Qinghe 清河

    [HHS 110/20.3436]

    7 counties

    123,964 households

    760,418 persons

    established in Former Han;

    kingdom of Liu Qing and successors from 82;

    In 107 Qinghe was divided to form the fief of Liu Changbao 常保, King of Guangchuan 廣川; he died in 108 and the territory reverted to Qinghe in 121;

    name changed to Ganling 甘陵 in 148;

    kingdom ended in 206 [Liu Zhong

  • Zhao

    [HHS 110/20.3437]

    5 counties

    32,719 households

    188,381 persons

    established in Former Han;

    kingdom of Liu Liang from 29 to 37 and of his successors from 43 to 213 [Liu Xu / and Liu Gui

  • Bohai 勃海

    [HHS 110/20.3437]

    8 counties

    132,389 households

    1,106,500 persons

    established in Former Han;

    In You province until 94 

  • Yan province 兗州 or region

    [HHS 111/21.3447-51]

    Eight commandery units, 80 counties,

    799,302 households, 3,394,597 persons;

    headquarters at Changyi 昌邑 in Shanyang 

  • Chenliu 陳留

    [HHS 111/21.3447-49]

    17 counties

    177,529 households

    869,433 persons

    established in Former Han 

  • Dong

    [HHS 111/21.3450-51]

    15 counties

    136,088 households

    603,393 persons

    established in Former Han 

  • Dongping 東平

    [HHS 111/21.3451-52]

    7 counties

    79,012 households

    448,270 persons

    established in Former Han;

    kingdom of Liu Cang and successors from 41 to 200;

    divided to form Rencheng in 84 

  • Rencheng 任城

    [HHS 111/21.3452]

    3 counties

    36,442 households

    194,196 persons

    divided from Dongping in 84;

    kingdom of Liu Shang , son of Liu Cang , and successors from 84 to 220 

  • Taishan 太山

    [HHS 111/21.3453-54]

    12 counties

    80,929 households 7

    437,317 persons

    established in Former Han;

    divided to form Jibei in 90 

  • Jibei 濟北

    [HHS 111/21.3454-55]

    5 counties

    45,689 households

    235,897 persons

    divided from Taishan in 90;

    kingdom of Liu Shou and successors from 90 to 220 

  • Shanyang 山陽

    [HHS 111/21.3455-56]

    10 counties

    109,898 households

    606,091 persons

    established in Former Han;

    kingdom of Liu Jing from 41 to 58 

  • Jiyin 濟陰

    [HHS 111/21.3456-57]

    11 counties

    133,715 households

    657,554 persons

    established in Former Han;

    from 90 to 94 Jiyin was divided to form the fief of Liu Shu, King of Chengyang 城陽

  • Xu province 徐州 or region

    [HHS 111/21.3458-62]

    Five commandery units, 62 counties,

    576,054 households, 2,791,683 persons;

    headquarters at Tan in Donghai 

  • Donghai 東海

    [HHS 111/21.3458-59]

    13 counties

    148,784 households

    706,416 persons

    established in Former Han;

    kingdom of Liu Yang/Zhuang / from 41 to 43;

    kingdom of Liu Qiang and successors from 43 to 220

    [Though Donghai was a kingdom throughout the Later Han period, from 52 onwards the fief included the territory of neighbouring Lu, and the capital was in the city of that name: see sub Liu Qiang. For most of the dynasty, therefore, Donghai was described as a commandery, but its chief official was styled as a Chancellor.] 

  • Langye/Langya 琅邪.

    [HHS 111/21.3459-60]

    13 counties

    120,804 households 8

    570,967 persons

    established in Former Han;

    In 37 incorporated the former territory of Chengyang 城陽 which had been the kingdom of Liu Zhi/Zhong / from 26 to 35;

    Langye was the kingdom of Liu Jing and successors from 41 to 220 

  • Pengcheng 彭城

    [HHS 111/21.3460-61]

    8 counties

    86,170 households 9

    493,027 persons

    Chu of Former Han;

    kingdom of Liu Ying from 41 to 71;

    name changed to Pengcheng in 88;

    kingdom of Liu Gong and successors from 88 to 220 

  • Guangling 廣陵

    [HHS 111/21.3461]

    11 counties

    83,907 households

    410,190 persons

    established in Former Han;

    In 37 incorporated the former territory of Sishui 泗水, which had been the kingdom of Liu Xi from 26 to 34;

    Guangling was the kingdom of Liu Jing from 58 to 67 

  • Xiapi 下邳

    [HHS 111/21.3461-62]

    17 counties

    136,389 households

    611,083 persons

    Linhuai 臨淮 of Former Han;

    name changed to Xiapi in 72;

    kingdom of Liu Yan and successors from 72 to 185 or 206 [Liu Yi

  • Qing province 靑州 or region

    [HHS 112/22.3471-76]

    Six commandery units, 65 counties,

    636,185 households, 3,709,793 persons;

    headquarters at Linzi 臨淄. In Qi 

  • Ji'nan 濟南

    [HHS 112/22.3471-72]

    10 counties

    78,544 households

    453,308 persons

    established in Former Han;

    kingdom of Liu Kang and successors from 41 to 153 [Liu Guang ]

    kingdom of Liu Yu and successors from 174 to 220 

  • Pingyuan 平原

    [HHS 112/22.3472]

    10 counties

    155,588 households

    1,002,658 persons

    established in Former Han

    kingdom of Liu Sheng from 105/106 to 113, then of Liu De and finally of Liu Yi , ended about 121

    kingdom of Liu Shi //Gu and successors from 148 to 206 

  • Le'an 樂安

    [HHS 112/22.3472-73]

    9 counties

    74,700 households

    424,075 persons

    Qiansheng 千乘 of Former Han;

    kingdom from 60 to 61 [Liu Jian ];

    kingdom from 79 [Liu Kang ] to 145 [Liu Hong ];

    name changed to Le'an in 95 

  • Beihai 北海

    [HHS 112/22.3473-74]

    18 counties

    158,641 households

    853,604 persons

    established in Former Han;

    In 37 incorporated the former territories of Zichuan /淄川, Jiaodong 膠東 and Gaomi 高密;

    Zichuan had been the kingdom of Liu Zhong from 26 to 34;

    Jiaodong had been a kingdom in Former Han and may have been restored by Guangwu, but the fief was certainly ended in 37;

    Gaomi had been a kingdom in Former Han and may have been restored by Guangwu, but the fief was certainly ended in 37;

    Beihai was a kingdom from 52 [Liu Xing ] to 87 [Liu Ji ], from 90 to 96 [Liu Wei ], from 107 [Liu Pu ] I to 206 [Liu Yi ] and from 212 to 220 [Liu Dun

  • Donglai 東來

    [HHS 112/22.3474-75]

    13 counties

    104,297 households

    484,383 persons

    established in Former Han 

  • Qi

    [HHS 112/22.3475-76]

    6 counties

    64,415 households

    491,765 persons

    established in Former Han;

    kingdom of Liu Zhang from 35 to 37

    and of Liu Zhang and his successors from 43 to 206 [Liu Cheng

  • Jing province 荆州 or region

    [HHS 112/22.3476-85]

    Seven commandery units, 117 counties,

    1,399,394 households, 6,265,952 persons;

    headquarters at Hanshou 漢壽 in Wuling 

  • Nanyang 南陽

    [HHS 112/22.3476-79]

    37 counties

    528,551 households

    2,439,618 persons

    established in Former Han 

  • Nan

    [HHS 112/22.3479-82]

    17 counties

    162,570 households

    747,604 persons

    established in Former Han;

    kingdom of Liu Gong 劉恭, under the title of Jiangling 江陵, from 78 to 85 

  • Jiangxia 江夏

    [HHS 112/22.3482]

    14 counties

    58,434 households

    265,464 persons

    established in Former Han 

  • Lingling 零陵

    [HHS 112/22.3482-83]

    13 counties

    212,284 households

    1,001,578 persons

    established in Former Han 

  • Guiyang 桂陽

    [HHS 112/22.3483-84]

    11 counties

    135,029 households

    501,403 persons

    established in Former Han 

  • Wuling 武陵

    [HHS 112/22.3484]

    12 counties

    46,672 households

    250,913 persons

    established in Former Han 

  • Changsha 長沙

    [HHS 112/22.3485]

    13 counties

    255,854 households

    1,059,372 persons

    established in Former Han

    kingdom of Liu Xing from 24 to 37 

  • Yang province 揚州 or region

    [HHS 112/22.3485-92]

    Six commandery units, 92 counties,

    1,021,096 households, 4,278,538 persons;

    headquarters at Liyang 歷陽 in Jiujiang 

  • Jiujiang 九江

    [HHS 112/22.3485-86]

    14 counties

    89,436 households

    432,426 persons

    established in Former Han 

  • Danyang 丹陽

    [HHS 112/22.3486-87]

    16 counties

    136,518 households

    630,545 persons

    established in Former Han 

  • Lujiang 廬江

    [HHS 112/22.3487-88]

    14 counties

    101,392 households

    424,683 persons

    established in Former Han;

    In 37 incorporated the territory of Liu'an 六安, a kingdom of Former Han;

    from 85 to 88 this territory was the fief of Liu Gong , King of Liu'an 

  • Kuaiji 會稽

    [HHS 112/22.3488-89]

    14 counties

    123,090 households

    481,196 persons

    established in Former Han;

    divided to form Wu in 129 

  • Wu

    [HHS 112/22.3489-91]

    13 counties

    164,164 households

    700,782 persons

    established in 129 from the northern part of Kuaiji

  • Yuzhang 豫章

    [HHS 112/22.3491-92]

    21 counties

    406,496 households

    1,608,906 persons

    established in Former Han;

    divided to form Poyang 鄱陽 commandery in the early 190s;

    divided to form Luling 廬陵 commandery in the early 190s

    Yi province 益州 or region

  • [HHS 113/23.3506-16]

    Twelve commandery units, 118 counties,

    1,525,247 households, 7,242,028 persons; 11

    headquarters at Luo in Guanghan 

  • Hanzhong 漢中

    [HHS 113/23.3506]

    9 counties

    57,334 households

    267,402 persons

    established in Former Han;

    kingdom of Liu Jia from 24 to 27;

    kingdom of Liu Bei from 219;

    from about 200 to 215 this territory was controlled by Zhang Lu, who called it Hanning 漢寧 

  • Ba

    [HHS 113/23.3507-08]

    14 counties

    310,691 households

    1,086,049 persons,

    established in Former Han;

    divided at the end of Han into Ba , Baxi 巴西 and Badong 巴東 12

  • Guanghan 廣漢

    [HHS 113/23.3508]

    11 counties

    139,865 households

    509,438 persons

    established in Former Han

    divided in 108 to form a separate Dependent State 

  • Shu

    [HHS 113/23.3508-09]

    11 counties

    300,452 households

    1,350,476 persons

    established in Former Han

    divided in 123 to form a separate Dependent State 

  • Jianwei 犍爲

    [HHS 113/23.3509-10]

    9 counties

    137,713 households

    411,378 persons

    established in Former Han

    divided in 107 to form a separate Dependent State

    divided at the end of Han to form the commandery of Jiangyang 江陽 

  • Zangke 牂牁.

    [HHS 113/23.3510-11]

    16 counties

    31,523 households

    267,253 persons

    established in Former Han 

  • Yuexi 越嶲.

    [HHS 113/23.3511-12]

    14 counties

    130,120 households

    623,418 persons

    established in Former Han 

  • Yizhou 益州 13

    [HHS 113/23.3512-13]

    17 counties

    29,036 households

    110,802 persons

    established in Former Han 

  • Yongchang 永昌

    [HHS 113/23.3513-14]

    8 counties

    231,897 households

    1,897,344 persons 14

    established in 69 [see sub Liumiao 柳貌/

  • Dependent State of Guanghan 廣漢屬國

    [HHS 113/23.3514-15]

    3 counties

    37,110 households

    205,652 persons

    divided from Guanghan to form a separate administration in 108 

  • Dependent State of Shu commandery 蜀郡屬國

    [HHS 113/23.3515]

    4 counties

    111,568 households

    475,629 persons

    divided from Shu to form a separate administration in 123 15

  • Dependent State of Jianwei 犍爲屬國

    [HHS 113/23.3515]

    2 counties

    7,938 households

    37,187 persons

    divided from Jianwei to form a separate administration in 107 

Liang province 涼州 or region 16

[HHS 113/23.3516-22]

Twelve commandery units, 98 counties,

138,702 households, about 600,000 persons; 17

headquarters at Long . In Hanyang 

  • Longxi 隴西

    [HHS 113/23.3516-17]

    11 counties

    5,628 households

    29,637 persons

    established in Former Han;

    from 36 to 37 this commandery included the territory of Jincheng 

  • Hanyang 漢陽

    [HHS 113/23.3517-18]

    9 counties

    57,334 households

    267,402 persons

    Tianshui 天水 in Former Han;

    name changed to Hanyang in 72;

    name changed to Tianshui at the end of Han;

    In 188 the north-western part of Hanyang was divided off to form Nan'an 南安 

  • Wudu 武都

    [HHS 113/23.3518]

    7 counties

    20,102 households

    81,728 persons

    established in Former Han 

  • Jincheng 金城

    [HHS 113/23.3518-19]

    10 counties

    3,858 households

    18,947 persons

    established in Former Han;

    from 36 to 37 this commandery was combined into Longxi;

    In 101 the court ordered the restoration of Xihai 西海 commandery to the west of Jincheng near the Koko Nor/Lake Qinghai: this territory had been claimed by Wang Mang but was later abandoned; on this occasion too it does not appear that the unit was maintained for long;

    In 110 the commandery administration was withdrawn into Longxi;

    it was returned about 118 

  • Anding 安定

    [HHS 113/23.3519]

    8 counties

    6,094 households

    29,060 persons

    established in Former Han;

    In 111 the commandery administration was withdrawn into Youfufeng;

    it was returned in 129, but was finally withdrawn in 141 

  • Beidi 北地

    [HHS 113/23.3519-20]

    6 counties

    3,122 households

    18,637 persons

    established in Former Han;

    In 111 the commandery administration was withdrawn into Zuopingyi;

    it was returned in 129, but was finally withdrawn in 141 

  • Wuwei 武威

    [HHS 113/23.3519-20]

    14 counties

    10,042 households

    34,226 persons

    established in Former Han 

  • Zhangye 張掖.

    [HHS 113/23.3520]

    8 counties

    6,552 households

    26,040 persons

    established in Former Han

    divided c. 110-120 to form the two separate Dependent States of Zhangye and of Juyan in Zhangye 

  • Jiuquan 酒泉

    [HHS 113/23.3521]

    9 counties

    12,706 households

    about 50,000 persons 18

    established in Former Han 

  • Dunhuang 敦煌.

    [HHS 113/23.3521]

    6 counties

    7,048 households 19

    29,170 persons

    established in Former Han 

  • Dependent State of Zhangye 張掖屬國

    [HHS 113/23.3521]

    5 counties

    4,656 households

    16,952 persons

    divided from Zhangye to form a separate administration c. 110-120 

  • Dependent State of Juyan in Zhangye 張掖居延屬國

    [HHS 113/23.3521]

    1 county

    1,560 households

    4,733 persons

    divided from Zhangye to form a separate administration c. 110-120 

  • Bing province 并州 or region

    [HHS 113/23.3522-26]

    Twelve commandery units, 98 counties,

    114,991 households, 696,765 persons;

    headquarters at Jinyang 晉陽 in Taiyuan 

  • Shangdang 上黨

    [HHS 113/23.3522-23]

    13 counties

    26,222 households

    127,403 persons

    established in Former Han 

  • Taiyuan 太厡

    16 counties

    30,902 households

    200,124 persons

    established in Former Han;

    kingdom of Liu Zhang from 26 to 35 

  • Shang

    [HHS 113/23.3524]

    10 counties

    5,169 households

    28,599 persons

    established in Former Han;

    In 111 the commandery administration was withdrawn into Zuopingyi;

    it was returned in 129, but was finally withdrawn in 140 

  • Xihe 西河

    [HHS 113/23.3524]

    13 counties

    5,698 households

    20,838 persons

    established in Former Han 

  • Wuyuan 五厡

    [HHS 113/23.3524-25]

    10 counties

    4,667 households

    22,957 persons

    established in Former Han;

    from the late 30s to the early 50s this territory was largely abandoned to the Xiongnu, but it was recovered after the accession of the Southern Shanyu;

    reduced to nominal county level under Xinxing 新興 commandery in 215 

  • Yunzhong 雲中

    [HHS 113/23.3525]

    11 counties

    5,351 households

    26,430 persons

    established in Former Han;

    reduced to nominal county level under Xinxing 新興 commandery in 215 

  • Dingxiang 定襄

    [HHS 113/23.3525]

    5 counties

    3,153 households

    13,571 persons

    established in Former Han

    from the late 30s to the early 50s this territory was largely abandoned to the Xiongnu, but it was recovered after the accession of the Southern Shanyu;

    reduced to nominal county level under Xinxing 新興 commandery in 215 

  • Yanmen 鴈門

    [HHS 113/23.3525-26]

    14 counties

    31,842 households

    249,000 persons

    established in Former Han

    from the late 30s to the early 50s this territory was largely abandoned to the Xiongnu, but it was recovered after the accession of the Southern Shanyu 

  • Shuofang 鴈門

    [HHS 113/23.3526]

    6 counties

    1,987 households

    7,843 persons

    established in Former Han; 20

    from the late 30s to the early 50s this territory was largely abandoned to the Xiongnu, but it was recovered after the accession of the Southern Shanyu;

    In 140 the commandery administration was withdrawn into Wuyuan;

    reduced to nominal county level under Xinxing 新興 commandery in 215 

  • You province 幽州 or region

    [HHS 113/23.3526-30]

    Eleven commandery units, 90 counties,

    >405,263 households, >2,212,888 persons; 21

    headquarters at Ji in Guangyang 

  • Zhuo

    [HHS 113/23.3526-27]

    7 counties

    102,218 households

    633,754 persons

    established in Former Han 

  • Guangyang 廣陽

    [HHS 113/23.3527]

    5 counties

    44,550 households

    280,600 persons

    established in Former Han;

    kingdom of Liu Liang from 26 to 29;

    abolished and territory taken over by Shanggu in 37;

    restored as a commandery unit in 96 

  • Dai

    [HHS 113/23.3527-28]

    11 counties

    20,123 households

    126,188 persons

    established in Former Han

    from the late 30s to the early 50s this territory was largely abandoned to the Xiongnu, but it was recovered after the accession of the Southern Shanyu 

  • Shanggu 上谷

    [HHS 113/23.3528]

    8 counties

    10,352 households

    51,204 persons

    established in Former Han

    from the late 30s to the early 50s this territory was largely abandoned to the Xiongnu, but it was recovered after the accession of the Southern Shanyu 

  • Yuyang 漁陽

    [HHS 113/23.3528]

    9 counties

    68,456 households

    435,740 persons

    established in Former Han 

  • Youbeiping 右北平

    [HHS 113/23.3528]

    4 counties

    9,170 households

    53,475 persons

    established in Former Han 

  • Liaoxi 遼西

    [HHS 113/23.3528-29]

    5 counties

    14,150 households

    81,714 persons

    established in Former Han

    divided in 107 to form the Dependent State of Liaodong 22

  • Liaodong 遼東

    [HHS 113/23.3529]

    11 counties

    64,158 households

    about 250,000 persons 23

    established in Former Han 

  • Xuantu 玄菟.

    [HHS 113/23.3529]

    6 counties

    10,594 households 24

    43,163 persons

    established in Former Han 

  • Lelang 樂浪

    [HHS 113/23.3529-30]

    18 counties

    61,492 households

    257,050 persons

    established in Former Han 

  • Dependent State of Liaodong 遼東屬國

    [HHS 113/23.3530]

    6 counties

    figures for households missing

    figures for persons missing

    divided from Liaodong to form a separate administration c. 110-120 

  • Jiaozhi region 交趾[] or Jiao province 交州 25

    [HHS 113/23.3530-33]

    Seven commandery units, 56 counties;

    census figures are incomplete;

    headquarters at Guangxin 廣信 in Cangwu 

  • Nanhai 南海

    [HHS 113/23.3530]

    7 counties

    71,477 households

    250,282 persons

    established in Former Han 

  • Cangwu 蒼梧

    [HHS 113/23.3530-31]

    11 counties

    111,395 households

    466,975 persons

    established in Former Han;

    about 170 a new commandery of Gaoxing 高興, soon afterwards renamed Gaoliang 高涼 [or 高梁], was established on the coast south of Cangwu; it was abandoned about 180 26

  • Yulin 鬱林

    [HHS 113/23.3531]

    11 counties

    figures for households missing

    figures for persons missing

    established in Former Han 

  • Hepu 合浦

    [HHS 113/23.3531]

    5 counties

    23,121 households

    86,617 persons

    established in Former Han 

  • Jiaozhi 交趾

    [HHS 113/23.3531-32]

    12 counties

    figures for households missing

    figures for persons missing

    established in Former Han 

  • Jiuzhen 九眞.

    [HHS 113/23.3532]

    5 counties

    46,513 households

    209,894 persons

    established in Former Han 

  • Rinan 日南

    [HHS 113/23.3532]

    5 counties

    18,263 households

    100,676 persons

    established in Former Han

 

INDEX TO COMMANDERY UNITS

Anding 安定 commandery 71
Anping 安平 commandery/kingdom 18
Ba 巴 commandery 56
Badong 巴東 commandery 56
Baxi 巴西 commandery 56
Beidi 北地 commandery 72
Beihai 北海 commandery/kingdom 39
Bohai 勃海 commandery 22
Boling 博陵 commandery/kingdom 17
Cangwu 蒼梧 commandery 100
Changsha 長沙 commandery/kingdom 48
Changshan 常山 commandery/kingdom 16
Chen 陳 commandery/kingdom 12
Chenliu 陳留 commandery 23
Chengyang 城陽 commandery/kingdom 30, 32
Chu 楚 commandery/kingdom 33
Dai 代 commandery 90
Danyang 丹陽 commandery 50
Dingxiang 定襄 commandery 85
Dong 東 commandery 24
Donghai 東海 commandery/kingdom 31
Donglai 東來 commandery 40
Dongping 東平 commandery/kingdom 25
Dunhuang 敦煌 commandery 76
Fufeng 扶風 see Youfufeng 7
Ganling 甘陵 commandery/kingdom 20
Gaoliang 高涼/高梁 commandery 100
Gaomi 高密 commandery/kingdom 39
Gaoxing 高興 commandery 100
Guangchuan 廣川 kingdom 20
Guanghan 廣漢 commandery 57
Guanghan Dependent State 廣漢屬國 64
Guangling 廣陵 commandery/kingdom 34
Guangping 廣平 commandery 15
Guangping 廣平 kingdom 15
Guangyang 廣陽 commandery/kingdom 89
Guangzong 廣宗 kingdom 15
Guiyang 桂陽 commandery 46
Han'an 漢安 commandery 7
Hanning 漢寧 commandery 55
Hanxing 漢興 commandery 7
Hanyang 漢陽 commandery 68
Hanzhong 漢中 commandery/kingdom 55
Hedong 河東 commandery 3
Hejian 河間 commandery/kingdom 19
Henan 河南 commandery 1
Henei 河内 commandery 2
Hengnong 恆農 commandery 4
Hepu 合浦 commandery 102
Hongnong 弘農 commandery 4
Huaiyang 淮陽 commandery/kingdom 12
Jiangling 江陵 kingdom 43
Jiangxia 江夏 commandery 44
Jiangyang 江陽 59
Jianwei 犍爲 commandery 59
Jianwei Dependent State 犍爲屬國 66
Jiaodong 膠東 commandery/kingdom 39
Jiaozhi 交趾 commandery 103
Jibei 濟北 kingdom 28
Ji'nan 濟南 commandery/kingdom 36
Jincheng 金城 commandery 70
Jingzhao [yin] 京兆尹 commandery 5
Jiujiang 九江 commandery 49
Jiuquan 酉泉 commandery 75
Jiuzhen 九眞 commandery 104
Jiyin 濟陰 commandery/kingdom 30
Julu 鉅鹿 commandery/kingdom 15
Juyan in Zhangye DS 張掖居延屬國 78
Kuaiji 曾稽 commandery 52
Langye 琅邪 commandery/kingdom 32
Le'an 樂安 commandery/kingdom 38
Lecheng 樂城 commandery/kingdom 18
Lelang 樂浪 commandery 97
Liang 梁 commandery/kingdom 10
Liaodong 遼東 commandery 95
Liaodong Dependent State 遼東屬國 98
Liaoxi 遼西 commandery 94
Lingling 零陵 commandery 45
Linhuai 臨淮 commandery 35
Liu'an 六安 commandery 51
Longxi 隴西 commandery 67
Lu 魯 commandery/kingdom 13
Lujiang 廬江 commandery/kingdom 51
Luling 廬陵 commandery 54
Nan 南 commandery/kingdom 43
Nan'an 南安 commandery 68
Nanhai 南海 commandery 99
Nanyang 南陽 commandery 42
Pei 沛 commandery/kingdom 11
Pengcheng 彭城 kingdom 33
Pingyi 馮翊 see Zuopingyi 6
Pingyuan 平原 commandery/kingdom 37
Poyang 鄱陽 commandery 54
Qi 齊 commandery/kingdom 41
Qiansheng 千乘 commandery/kingdom 38
Qinghe 清河 commandery/kingdom 20
Rencheng 任城 commandery/kingdom 26
Rinan 日南 commandery 105
Runan 汝南 commandery 9
Shang 上 commandery 81
Shangdang 上黨 commandery 79
Shanggu 上谷 commandery 91
Shanyang 山陽 commandery/kingdom 29
Shu commandery 蜀郡 58
Shu Dependent State 蜀郡屬國 65
Shuofang 鴈門 commandery 87
Shuofang 鴈門 province 87
Sishui 四水 commandery/kingdom 34
Taishan 太山 commandery 27
Taiyuan 太厡 commandery 80
Tianshui 天水 commandery 68
Wei 魏 commandery 14
Wu 吳 commandery 53
Wudu 武都 commandery 69
Wuling 武陵 commandery 47
Wuwei 武威 commandery 73
Wuyuan 五厡 commandery 83
Xiapi 下邳 commandery/kingdom 35
Xihai 西海 commandery 70
Xihe 西河 commandery 82
Xindu 信都 commandery 18
Xinxing 新興 commandery 83, 84, 85, 87
Xiping 西平 kingdom 9
Xuantu 玄菟 commandery 96
Yanmen 鴈門 commandery 86
Yingchuan 潁川 commandery 8
Yizhou 益州 commandery 62
Yongchang 永昌 commandery 63
Youbeiping 右北平 commandery 93
Youfufeng 右扶風 commandery 7
Yuexi 越嶲 commandery 61
Yulin 鬱林 commandery 101
Yunzhong 雲中 commandery 84
Yuyang 漁陽 commandery 92
Yuzhang 豫章 commandery 54
Zangke 牂牁 commandery 60
Zhangye 張掖 commandery 74
Zhangye Dependent State 張掖屬國 77
Zhao 趙 commandery/kingdom 21
Zhending 真定 commandery/kingdom 16
Zhongshan 中山 commandery/kingdom 17
Zhuo 诼 commandery 88
Zichuan 葘川 commandery/kingdom 39
Zuopingyi 左馮翊 commandery/kingdom 6

 

1 The changes from the time of Emperor Ling are tabulated and discussed in detail by Wu Zengjin 吳增僅 and Yang Shoujing 楊守敬, Sanguo junxian biao fu kaozheng 三國郡縣表附考證, in ESWSBB III. In 213, shortly before Cao Cao made himself Duke of Wei, he carried out a vast re-organisation of the provinces under his control. The main effect was to enlarge Ji province, which became the base of his fief, to incorporate You and Bing, but he also restored the classical name of Yong for the region of Liang in the northwest. The old capital region of Sili, moreover, was abolished: Hongnong and the commanderies about Chang'an were added to Yong, Henan was incorporated into an extended Yu province, and Hedong and Henei were included in Ji province. See Wu Zengjin op.cit. 2828; deC 96.445-447 and Map 20. In 220, however, a new Liang province was separated from Yong, to control the present-day Gansu corridor in the far west: see sub Su Ze and, for further details of the confusing changes in this region, deC 84.498-499.

2 In her important discussion of the history of the long-lasting Cui lineage, Ebrey 78 gives their place of origin as Boling 博陵. The home county of the family was Anping 安平, which was in Zhuo commandery under Former Han, was later transferred to Xindu/Lecheng/Anping, and 158 formed part of Boling, a new commandery which was itself abolished towards the end of the dynasty [see items 18 and 19 below and sub Cui Zhuan].

3 Jingzhao yin, Zuopingyi and Youfufeng, controlling the old capital district about Chang'an, were collectively known as the Three Adjuncts [sanfu 三輔], and the names of the commanderies were also applied to the officials who administered them. In the body of the text I render the title Jingzhao yin as Intendant of Jingzhao, but identify the officials Zuopingyi and Youfufeng [Dubs/Bielenstein: Eastern Supporter and Western Sustainer] simply as Administrators of their respective commanderies.

4 See note 3 above.

5 See note 3 above.

6 Bn 47.159 argues that the figure of a million has been misplaced by the text from Pei to Chen immediately below. I follow his correction.

7 Bn 47.159 corrects the figure of 8,000 to 80,000.

8 Bn 47.159 corrects the figure of 8,000 to 80,000.

9 Bn 47.159 corrects the figure of 8,000 to 80,000.

10 Qian Daxin corrects the reading from 9 to 10.

11 These totals are doubtful, for they include the exaggerated figures for Yongchang: see note below.

12 The areas and nomenclature of these new commanderies varied: see deC 90.364-366 and deC 96.466 Map 21.

13 Note that the name of this commandery is the same as the title of its province: cf. the region/province of Jiaozhi below.

14 The population of Yongchang appears quite disproportionate to that of its neighbours. The figures probably represent a nominal, and exaggerated, count of the Ailao people who acceded to Han and justified the establishment of the commandery in 69. Not only are these numbers questionable, but they cast doubt on the total for the province as a whole: see note 11 above.

15 HHS 86/76.2857 says that this territory was renamed Hanjia 漢嘉 commandery during the reign of Emperor Ling. JS 4.439, however, dates the name change to 221, in the time of Liu Bei.

16 Liang province of Former Han had been renamed Yong by Wang Mang. The name was restored at the beginning of Later Han. See also note 1 above.

17 See the note on Jiuquan and below.

18 The Treatise has no figures for individuals in Jiuquan, but Bn 47.159 suggests multiplying by the average [4] of members per household in neighbouring commanderies.

19 Bn 47.159 corrects the reading from 700 to 7,000.

20 For a period until 35 Shuofang was a separate provincial unit with a Governor [HHS 1B.58].

21 The total figures for You province are uncertain, as there are figures missing for both Liaodong and its Dependent State qqv.

22 In deC 84:460-465 I have argued that the Dependent State of Liaodong was not, as Zhongguo lishi ditu ji II:62 has it, on the shore of the present-day Gulf of Liaodong, but in the hill country of the Daling River 大淩河. Though the name would indicate that it was separated from Liaodong commandery, the bulk of its territory in fact came from Liaoxi.

23 The Treatise has the same number of individuals for Liaodong as for Liaoxi. Bn 47.159 disregards both the household and the person, but, as in his dealing with Jiuquan above, I have multiplied by the average [4] of members per household in neighbouring commanderies.

24 Bn 47.159 corrects the reading from 1,000 to 10,000.

25 Though the Treatise refers to this territory as Jiao province, it appears that for most of Later Han it was known as Jiaozhi, and was subject to an Inspector 刺史. Its status was changed and a Governor was appointed in 203: e.g. JS 15.464-65; deC 90.31-32. This means, of course, that the province had the same name as one of its constituent commanderies: the same situation applied to Yizhou commandery in Yi province [item 62]: HHS 113/23.3531.

26 JS 15.464; deC 90.36. In 220 Sun Quan established a commandery centred on Gaoliang 高梁 county in the west of Hepu: HHS 113/23.3531. This was the same region as the earlier Gaoxing/Gaoliang, and no doubt represents a restoration of the earlier foundation.

Rafe de Crespigny