出土文献视野下的汉代候官探究

An Exploration of the “Hou Guan” in Han Dynasty from the perspective of Unearthed Documents

考古发掘出土的简牍、印章、封泥等文献资料所见的汉代候官,涉及边境和内地,反映了汉王朝对国家安全和政治时局的战略考量,其历史作用常被学界忽视或低估。在汉王朝疆域的北部、南部边境,与匈奴、西南夷、东瓯、闽越、南越等少数民族势力的摩擦、对抗和激烈斗争中,汉王朝在边境地区广置候官以满足其战略需求;河西地区是汉王朝反击匈奴并向西域地区扩充统治力量的战略重地,候官设置尤为集中,可见候官数量多达三十五个;而在内地如茂陵等京畿地区、齐地等地方诸侯势力强大的郡国,亦设置一定数量的候官,候伺地方诸侯势力、豪滑大姓、不法吏民的不轨行为。候官作为为汉廷传警示讯的机构及充任镇压社会动乱的武装力量,为维护汉代的社会稳定发挥了重要作用。

The Han dynasty " Hou Guan",as seen in the archival materials like bamboo slips,seal and lute unearthed from archaeological excavations,were located at the frontiers and the hinterland,and reflected the strategic consideration of the Han Empire over the national security and the current political situation. During the friction,confrontation and fierce fighting between of the empire and the minority forces such as the Huns,the Southwest China,The Eastern Ou,the Fujian and Vietnam,and South Vietnam in the northern and southern borders,the Han empire set up their official institutions to meet their strategic needs. The Hexi Region,as a strategic area where the Han empire counterattacked the Huns and expanded its ruling power over the Western Regions,was equipped with positions of " Hou Guan" which totaled as many as 35. In places such as Maoling near the imperial city and other Qi vassal state where the feudalist was very powerful,the Han empire also set a certain number of such institutions to monitor misconducts of local feudalist,local forces and unscrupulous officials. As a warning agency for Han court and an armed force suppressing the social unrest forces, "Hou Guan" played an important role in safeguarding the social stability in the Han Dynasty.