秦朝最高统治者称号问题试探

Exploration into the Title of the Highest Ruler of the Qin Dynasty

秦朝建立后,秦始皇在官方正式场合使用"皇帝"称号。而"天子"称号在史料中没有任何迹象表明其与"皇帝"称号并行使用。这种现象的出现固然与"皇帝"制度是巩固中央集权措施有关,但其背后复杂的历史文化因素亦不能忽视。从先秦"天命"思想演变,秦文化与制度变迁等方面揭示其"皇帝"称号背后深刻的历史文化内涵,是非常必要的。

After the Qin Dynasty was founded, Qin Shihuang used the title of 'Emperor' on normal official occasions. There was not any record in historical data showing that the title 'Tianzi' was used equally with 'Emperor'. The appearance of this phenomenon was related with the fact that the centralization of power needed to be consolidated by the emperor system, but we should not neglect the factors of complex historical and cultural background. This article attempts to reveal the profound and cultural connotation behind the title of 'Emperor' through studying the development of the 'Providence' thought before the Qin Dynasty, changes of the Qin culture and system, and some other factors.