History of the Later Han

The Book of the Later Han, or Hou Hanshu (HHS), is an official Chinese history work compiled by Fan Ye in the 5th century. It is one of the works used by Professor Rafe in his books about the later Han.

Fan Ye used a number of earlier histories, including those accounts by Sima Qian and Ban Gu, and many others. It is one of the Twenty-four Histories.

The work covers the history of the Eastern Han (25-220 A.D).

Structure
Fan Ye implemented a collective imperial biography for empresses, adding this to Ban Gu's collection of the biographies of the emperors' consorts in a biography for consorts and their clans. Other important biographies include those of political factions, Regular Attendants, literati, magicians, etc.

Usage
Professor Rafe de Crespigny used the Book of the Later Han, as well as many other history works, for several of his novels, such as Generals of the South and To Establish Peace.