秦汉时期的乡亭

Xiangting of Qin-Han Period

乡亭起源于先秦,乡亭的最初职能主要表现为军事性。乡亭设置于大道边,大道中间建有亭门,夜间关闭,乡亭内部有一整套安全武装配备。秦统一六国后,乡亭的军事性和社会治安性明显加强。西汉时期,乡亭主要负责乡里社会治安,每亭约四到五人分区域管理辖区内的民事、刑事案件。夜间也为官民提供食宿。从东汉初期开始,乡亭由主要负责乡里社会治安逐渐演变成为和西汉乡部一级一样的基层行政单位,同时,乡里社会治安主要由"循行"负责。

Xiangting originated from the pre- Qin days, and its early function mainly performed the military one. Xiangting was built near the main road, and a Tingmen was built in the middle of the road, which was closed during the night. There was a set of equipment of safety and arms in it. After Qin State unified the other six states, the military affairs and social safety were strengthened evidently. During West- Han period, Xiangting mainly took charge of the social safety of Xiangli. Every Xiangting which consisted of about four or five personels administrated the civil cases and criminal cases in the area under its jurisdiction. It also provided the board and lodging for the officials and common people during the night. From the beginning of East -Han, Xiangting which mainly took charge of the the social safety of Xiangli during West -Han period developed little by little into the grass - roots administrative unit which was the same as the Xiangbu of West- Han period, meanwhile, the public order of Xiangli was taken charge of mainly by ＂Xunxing＂.