Princes
The princes of the royal dynasty (同姓王, tóngxìng wáng) were members of the House of Liu, sons or descendants of the Han emperors. The tradition of creating royal sons as princes continued until the Qing dynasty, during which sons of emperors could also be created as lower nobles. The Han emperors initially felt that creating these principalities would strengthen the house, particularly against the other kings. However, these princes became even more dangerous, as they were eligible to succeed the throne.
Several rebellions were attempted by these powerful princes during the reigns of the emperors Jing and Wu. After the Rebellion of the Seven Princes, Emperor Wu reformed the principalities, reducing them to single prefectures and granting superior authority to prime ministers appointed by the central government. The institution continued until the very end of the dynasty, however.
Read more about this topic: Kings Of The Han Dynasty
Famous quotes containing the word princes:
“This quarry cries on havoc. O proud Death,
What feast is toward in thine eternal cell,
That thou so many princes at a shot
So bloodily hast struck?”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“They say princes learn no art truly, but the art of horsemanship. The reason is, the brave beast is no flatterer. He will throw a prince as soon as his groom.”
—Ben Jonson (c. 1572–1637)
“I regard almost all quarrels of princes on the same footing, and I see nothing that marks man’s unreason so positively as war. Indeed, what folly to kill one another for interests often imaginary, and always for the pleasure of persons who do not think themselves even obliged to those who sacrifice themselves for them!”
—Mary Wortley, Lady Montagu (1689–1762)