Huhanye Chanyu
The Xiongnu chanyu who submitted to the Han dynasty and married Wang Zhaojun.
Life
Five chanyus vie for the throne
From the mid-Western Han onward, the Xiongnu split apart through natural disasters and internal strife, at one point with five rival chanyu. Huhanye Chanyu, named Jihoushan, was defeated in this struggle by his elder brother Zhizhi Chanyu.
Paying homage at the Han court
In 51 BCE he went in person to Chang'an to pay homage to Emperor Xuan of Han, accepting Han investiture and aid, and led his people south to the vicinity of the Great Wall; from then on the Southern Xiongnu were at peace with the Han.
Marriage alliance (heqin)
In 33 BCE he came to court for the third time and requested a marriage alliance, and Emperor Yuan of Han gave him the palace lady Wang Zhaojun as his yanzhi. He died in 31 BCE.
Legacy
Huhanye Chanyu's submission brought a long peace between the Han and the Xiongnu, so that "border towns kept their gates open late, and cattle and horses covered the fields."
Did you know? His son with Wang Zhaojun, Yituzhiyashi, was later made the Right Rizhu King of the Xiongnu.
Key dates
- 58 BCEEnthroned as chanyu (approx.)
- 51 BCEPays homage to Emperor Xuan of Han
- 33 BCEMarries Wang Zhaojun
- 31 BCEDied