明代洪武永乐时期殿试制策之背景因素初探

Exploration into the Background of Final Imperial Examination in Hong Wu and Yong Le Period in Ming Dynasty

殿试是科举考试的最高层次。明代的殿试始于洪武四年,初期多是由皇帝亲制策问,后来多由翰林院的翰林们拟题,然后送交皇帝裁定。明代洪武永乐两朝总共进行了16次科考,相应的就有16道殿试制策题目。这些制策的主题都是围绕着如何治理天下国家而问,历史学在这些制策中扮演着重要的角色,同时每一篇制策都要从时政的角度提出问题,鲜明地反映出时务策的特征。在殿试考试中能够脱颖而出,说明应试者确实具有很高的知识水平和运用知识的能力。

Final imperial examination is the highest level in the imperial competitive examination.In Ming Dynasty it begins in the fourth year of Hong Wu reign（1371） and usually it is the emperor who will supervise the examination by himself.Later the examination is made by the member of the imperial academy and determined by the emperor.Altogether there are 16 times of the imperial competitive examinations and there are correspondingly 16 subjects for the final imperial examination.These subjects are about how to rule a country and history plays an important role in it.At the same time,each subject should also be related to contemporary politics and shows characteristics in this aspect.The winner in the final imperial examination must have high level of knowledge and application of it.