The mirror metaphor works perfectly here. What youve shown is how court historians could critique power without directly confronting it - describing an idealized Rome becomes a way to highlight Liu-Song failings without getting your head chopped off. That detail about the thin, lead-heavy coins really drives it home - physical evidence of the financial strain that made those references to full treasuries and honest prices sting. The careful dance between preservation and commentary in these official histories is fascinating, especially when you realize posterity was part of the intended audience too.
Thank you so much! I always love sources that actually are talking to 'us' in some way but, as you say, it also adds fascinating dimensions to understanding the author when you try to imagine them imagining what posterity might think of it all...
The mirror metaphor works perfectly here. What youve shown is how court historians could critique power without directly confronting it - describing an idealized Rome becomes a way to highlight Liu-Song failings without getting your head chopped off. That detail about the thin, lead-heavy coins really drives it home - physical evidence of the financial strain that made those references to full treasuries and honest prices sting. The careful dance between preservation and commentary in these official histories is fascinating, especially when you realize posterity was part of the intended audience too.
Thank you so much! I always love sources that actually are talking to 'us' in some way but, as you say, it also adds fascinating dimensions to understanding the author when you try to imagine them imagining what posterity might think of it all...