This study presents an overview and analysis of the characteristics of pre-modern Chinese cultural sensibilities to war violence as portrayed in ancient poetry. Full poems and excerpts of poems are presented as examples of the themes of empathy and lament, as well as the ways time, location and voice are descriptively used to convey the tragedy of violent conflict on individuals, families and society. The poems were written by a variety of people, both men and women, from soldiers, to generals and regional magistrates to common witnesses. The paper illustrates and offers commentary on a sociological poetic focus of long continuity spanning centuries of literary endeavor and preservation.
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