List of Emperors of The Han Dynasty - Naming Conventions

Naming Conventions

Further information: Chinese nobility and Government of the Han Dynasty emperor

In ancient China, the rulers of the Shang (c. 1600 BC – c. 1050 BC) and Zhou (c. 1050 BC – 256 BC) dynasties were referred to as kings (王 wang). By the time of the Zhou Dynasty, they were also referred to as Sons of Heaven (天子 Tianzi). By 221 BC, the King of Qin, Ying Zheng, conquered and united all the Warring States of ancient China. To elevate himself above the Shang and Zhou kings of old, he accepted the new title of emperor (皇帝 huangdi) and is known to posterity as the First Emperor of Qin (Qin Shi Huang). The new title of emperor was created by combining the titles for the Three Sovereigns (Sanhuang) and Five Emperors (Wudi) from Chinese mythology. This title was used by each successive ruler of China until the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1911.

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