List Of Emperors Of The Han Dynasty
The Han Dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD) was the second imperial dynasty of China following the Qin Dynasty (221–206 BC) and preceding the Three Kingdoms (220–265 AD). It is conventionally divided between the Western Han (202 BC – 9 AD) and Eastern Han (25–220 AD) periods and briefly interrupted by the Xin Dynasty (9–23 AD) of the former regent Wang Mang. Below is a complete list of emperors of the Han Dynasty, including their personal, posthumous, and era names. Excluded from the list are de facto rulers such as regents and empress dowagers.
The Han Dynasty was founded by the peasant rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gao (r. 202 –195 BC) or Gaodi. The longest reigning emperor of the dynasty was Emperor Wu (r. 141–87 BC), or Wudi, who reigned for 54 years. After Wang Mang was overthrown, Liu Xiu reestablished the Han Dynasty and is known posthumously as Emperor Guangwu (r. 25–57 AD), or Guangwu Di. The last Han emperor, Emperor Xian (r. 189–220 AD), was more or less a puppet monarch of Chancellor Cao Cao (155–220 AD), who dominated the court and was made King of Wei. In 220 AD, Cao's son Pi usurped the throne as Emperor Wen of Wei (r. 220–226 AD) and ended the Han Dynasty.
The emperor was the supreme head of government. He appointed all of the highest-ranking officials in central, provincial, commandery, and county-level administrations. He also functioned as a lawgiver, the highest court judge, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and high priest of the state-sponsored religious cults.
Read more about List Of Emperors Of The Han Dynasty: Naming Conventions, Regents and Empress Dowagers, Emperors
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