中國史學重視鑑戒的功能，因而強調歷史人物評價的重要性。歷史人物的評價始於春秋時代，《論語》有全面評價人物的例子，《左傳》則從人物的某一行為提出評價，此皆建立起歷史人物評價的傳統。至兩漢時代，《史記》開創以人物為中心的「紀傳體」與「太史公曰」的評價方法。《漢書》承襲《史記》的體例，並以〈古今人表〉特殊的分等方法評價人物。兩漢時代的史學著作全面地豐富了歷史人物的形象，更在歷史人物評價的體例上增添新意。本文從《論語》、《左傳》、《史記》、《漢書》之人物評價，探討中國人物評價方法的創新，以及兩漢時代已經確立起中國歷史人物評價的特色，且對後世影響深遠。

Chinese Historiography emphasizes the importance of evaluating the historical figures because it respects lesson learning from the past failures. Evaluating the historical figures dates from the Spring and Autumn Period. Lunyu evaluates figures from all aspects and Zuozhuan evaluates figure’s particular behaviors; both of them establish the tradition of evaluating the historical figures. Shiji, in the Han Dynasty, pioneers ＂jizhuanti (annals-biography)＂ and ＂Taishigongyu (the Grand Historian commented)＂ which focus on evaluating the figures. Hanshu follows the Shiji's style and innovates the Table of the Ancient and Contemporary Figures. The works in the Han Dynasty enrich the images of the historical figures and establish an innovative style for the following works. This article analyzes the innovative methods of evaluating the historical figures from Lunyu, Zuozhuan, Shiji, and Hanshu and concludes the figure-evaluation style influences later generations immeasurably.