《漢書》 〈西域傳〉에 보이는 西域의 공간 의미

Abstract

This paper examined how the Han Dynasty recognized and recorded the geographical space of the western region[西域] by using Hanshu Xiyuzhuan which organized the space of the west region into independent chapters for the first time as a true history. First, in Hanshu Xiyuzhuan the western region was recognized as outside the central region[中原] and the land of the western barbarians[西戎]. As an extension of the geographical idea of Jiuzhoushuo[九州說] and Wufushuo[五服說], the western region was still the land of Huangfu[荒服], and the center was in the central region. However, the space of the western region was not completely occupied, under the influence of the Huns[匈奴]. Second, Hanshu Xiyuzhuan recorded the space of the western region as a land of conflict and dispute. The Han Dynasty continued to be threatened by the Huns in the northwest and was in a conflict relationship. In relation to this political conflict with the Huns, the Han Dynasty tried to weaken the power of the Huns by establishing close diplomatic relations with western countries. For the Han Dynasty, the western region was a space where various countermeasures such as conciliation, persuasion, bystander, and armed conquest coexisted. Third, the western region’s space in Hanshu Xiyuzhuan was an important channel connecting the East and West. In order to envoys from the Han Dynasty to successfully complete their meandering, they had to receive food and safe accommodation from western countries. Friendly relations with western countries were quite important for the Han Dynasty. Fourth, the western region was a space with special products and mysterious cultures, including jade and horses. However, some nomadic western countries were considered tribes of barbarians by the Han Dynasty. From the perspective of the Han Dynasty, the western space was recognized as a non-uniform space where civilization and barbarism intersect.