Liu Yuan
A Xiongnu noble and founder of Han-Zhao, the earliest regime established among the Sixteen Kingdoms.
Life
Hostage
Liu Yuan was the grandson of the Southern Xiongnu chanyu Yufuluo and the son of Liu Bao, Worthy Prince of the Left; the family took the surname "Liu" because the Han dynasty had once made marriage alliances with the Xiongnu. As a youth he lived as a hostage in Luoyang, where he read the classics and histories closely and befriended noted scholars.
Rose in revolt
During the War of the Eight Princes of the Western Jin, in 304 CE he rose in revolt at Zuoguo City (present-day Lishi, Shanxi), rallying followers to restore the Han dynasty. He proclaimed himself King of Han, declared himself emperor in 308 CE, and made Pingyang his capital.
Proclaimed Emperor
He died in 310 CE and was succeeded by his son Liu Cong. In 311 CE Han-Zhao forces stormed Luoyang and captured Emperor Huai of Jin, an event known as the "Disaster of Yongjia."
Legacy
The Han-Zhao founded by Liu Yuan ushered in the era of the Sixteen Kingdoms, and was also an important regime established by the Xiongnu in Chinese history.
Did you know? When he rose in revolt he proclaimed himself a nephew of the Han dynasty and posthumously honored Liu Shan, the last ruler of Shu Han, as Emperor Xiaohuai.
Key dates
- 290Grand Commander of the Five Xiongnu Divisions (approx.)
- 304Rises in revolt and proclaims himself King of Han
- 308Proclaimed Emperor
- 310Died