“科举”含义与科举制的起始年份

On the Meaning of Imperial Examination and Its Time of Origination

"科举"是一个含义丰富复杂、具有动态特征的词语。广义的科举指分科举人或设科取士,约略类同于贡举,起始于汉代;狭义的科举指进士科举,起始于隋代。科举制的诸多特征是经历漫长的过程才逐渐形成的,但要定下一个起始年代,必有标志性的创制,而真正具有标志性意义且与历史上"科举"一词相符合的,只有隋炀帝创立进士科这一历史事件。从隋炀帝大业元年(605年)进士科的创设,到清光绪三十一年(1905年)废科举兴学堂,科举制在中国历史上整整存在了1300年之久。

＂Imperial examination （IE）＂ is a word that contains rich and complex meanings and is characterized by its dynamic property. In a broad sense, IE refers to the system of selecting talented people from different disciplines, which is similar to the tributary examination originated in the Han Dynasty. In a narrow sense, it refers to the Jiushikeju, a system of selecting talents through the highest imperial examination and conferring governmental official tides on them, which was started in the Sui Dynasty. Many characteristics of IE had evolved over a very long period of time and to determine the time of origination of IE researchers must identify an event that can be called a milestone. It is argued that such an event was the fact that Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty first started the system of Jiushikeju which can be called a milestone and is consistent historically with the term of IE. From Daye 1st Year in the reign of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty （605 AD） when IE was established to the Year of Guangxu 31th in the Qing Dynasty （1905） when IE was abolished, IE had existed for 1,300 years in Chinese history.