[ 摘要 ]

台灣史的研究近年來為學界所重視，其中透過小區域史的研究可對台灣各地歷史發展有更深刻的了解，並能釐清各種區域間差異的問題。清代為台灣史上的關鍵期，關於清代嘉義地區的研究近年屢有斬獲，然其研究區域大多稍嫌過大，本文論述諸羅地區的自然環境與清代社會經濟發展，蒐集清代諸羅城士紳的相關資料，希望能勾勒出清代諸羅城的社會面貌，並為研究區縮小的初步嘗試。

在諸羅地區的自然環境方面，乾雨季分明的氣候型態與多颱風、地震為其特色，乾雨分明使得水利灌溉設施在本區顯得格外重要，而颱風與地震則每每造成本區農作物與建築物的嚴重損失。今嘉義市所在地清代稱諸羅山，為平埔族一大族社諸羅山社的位置，也是清代諸羅縣治與縣城的所在地，其地位於嘉義平原與丘陵的交界處，又有八掌溪與牛稠溪環繞，形勢優越，並有北控台灣中北部、南護府城台南的功能，地理位置十分重要。

諸羅地區歷經漢人社會建立的過程，由平埔族社會演變成為以漢人為主體的社會，城池建立為漢人社會建立的過程之一，而城是清代政治、軍事、商業、文化、宗教的中心，亦為地方人士認同的指標，其中諸羅城即是一例。諸羅城的興築始於清康熙年間，其過程深受清廷治臺心態與地方民變之影響，道光年間才出現了真正的磚石城垣。

士紳為清代諸羅城內的重要地方人士，為地方公務的主要參與者及領導者，包括賴時輝家、陳熙年、嘉義王家等諸羅城內士紳，運用其社會地位、社會資源、財富與個人的能力，參與文教、宗教、社會救濟、公共工程、水利事業等公共事務，並扮演官民溝通、為民代言的角色，更於民變等地方動亂中效忠清廷，組織防衛機制，擔任起守護城池與家園的重任，為諸羅城能在清代歷次重要民變中不失守的重要因素。



[ 英文摘要 ]

ABSTRACT

The study of Taiwanese history, recently, has gain interest in academic field. In particular, by studying the regional history of a small area, one can have better under -standing in the historical progression of various regions in Taiwan, and clarify many questions regarding regional differences. The Ching dynasty is a key era in Taiwanese history. Though the study of Chia-yi region is making progress in recent years, but the area of study is still too large. In this thesis, the study is focused on the Truro area in the Ching dynasty, and the data collected is especially focused on elite in the wall town of Truro. The objective is to outline the social structure of the wall town of Truro in the Ching dynasty, and to serve as the first attempt to the study of smaller area.

In the natural environment of Truro area, the dry and rain seasons are quite distinctive, and the frequent occurence of typhoon and earthquake is the hallmark for this type of weather model. The distinctive dry and rain seasons make the irrigation system very important in this region, and the typhoon and earthquake usually cause great damage to agriculture and buildings in this region. The Trurosan in the Ching dynasty is now at where the Chia-yi city lied. It was both cultural center and county political center in the Ching dynasty. The position is at the converging point of Chia-yi flat and hills and surrounded by two important rivers. Also, this position can control North and middle regions, and protect the regional capital Tai-nan in the South. The geographical features make this region superior.

The progression of the Truro area reflected the processes how original Pin-pu society become mainland-Chinese society. The construction of a city town is a process of mainland-Chinese society development, and the city was the center for political, military, business, cultural and religion activities in the Ching dynasty, and city was also an acknowledged pointer for local people. The construction of the wall town of Truro started during the Con-sea period, and was judged by political policy and rebellion of the Ching dynasty. The real brick walls appeared in the end of the Dow-kwuan period.

The elite took a very important part in the history of the wall town of Truro in the Ching dynasty. They acted as the main participants for local public services and provided leadership. The elite like Lai, Chen, and Wong used their social position, social resources, wealth and personal abilities to participate in literature, religion, social welfare, public construction and public services. Also the elite acted as the bridge between the government and the people, as well as the speaker for the people. In particular, during local rebellion they stayed loyal to the Ching government, and took up the responsibilities to protect the city and their families. This is the main reason why the wall town of Truro never lost in various local rebellions.