从刺字看宋代军制

On the Song Military System:a Case from Tattoo

刺字是古代肉刑之一,在宋代成为军人和罪犯共有的体貌特征。军人和罪犯在刺字内容和部位上虽有差异,却都被社会主流群体视为贱民。军人的身份与罪犯颇为接近。军人低下的社会地位,不足以吸引平民入伍,募兵制施行的程度值得怀疑。出于兵源补充的需要,宋代强化对军人的身份控制,形成了后世军户的雏形。

To tattoo was one of the ancient corporal punishments. It became the physical characteristic of soldiers and criminals in Song dynasty. Soldiers and criminals, although tattooed in different physical positions and with different contents, were similar in their low social status, and regarded as the lowpriced member of a nationality by the social major colony. Soldiers＇ low social status was not enough to attract common people to be enlisted in the armed forces, and to what extent the mercenary system was implemented was unclear. Out of the need to supply manpower in the army, Song rulers strengthened the control of the soldiers, which formed the embryonic form of hereditary soldiers in later ages.