Former Zhao: Map & History
The Han-Zhao, or Former Zhao, was a dynastic state of China ruled by the Liu (Luandi) clan of Chuge-Xiongnu ethnicity during the Sixteen Kingdoms period of Chinese history.
Wikipedia Encyclopedic Compendium
Historiographical synthesis & structured realm registry
The Han-Zhao, or Former Zhao, was a dynastic state of China ruled by the Liu (Luandi) clan of Chuge-Xiongnu ethnicity during the Sixteen Kingdoms period of Chinese history. In Chinese historiography, it was given two conditional state titles: the Northern Han, for the state proclaimed in 304 by Liu Yuan; and the Former Zhao, for the state proclaimed in 319 by Liu Yao. The reference to them as separate states can be misleading, given that when Liu Yao changed the name of the state from "Han" to "Zhao" in 319, he treated the state as having been continuous from when Liu Yuan founded it in 304; instead, he de-established his imperial lineage from the Han dynasty and claimed ancestry directly from Modu Chanyu.
Modern Countries Once Part of Former Zhao
At its mapped extent, Former Zhao covered territory in 1 present-day country. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
States and Provinces
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Former Zhao's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Former Zhao in Depth
History
Following the break-up of the Xiongnu Empire in the 1st century, the Southern Xiongnu branch surrendered to the Han dynasty and were resettled in the northern border commanderies. Under their chanyu, the Southern Xiongnu acted as a Han vassal state, providing assistance in defending the frontiers from nomadic forces. They settled down and fully took up agriculture, but kept a few aspects of their former nomadic lifestyle such as horse breeding. Relations with the Han were oftentimes unstable with poor living conditions on the borders and the Chinese court meddling in their politics leading to several rebellions.
Government
When Liu Yuan established the Han, he retained most of the imperial Chinese government offices such as grand marshal, minister of works and minister over the masses. However, he also introduced the Xiongnu-inspired office of the Grand Chanyu. While he initially claimed the title along with the King of Han, Liu Yuan later deferred the Grand Chanyu position to his son, Liu Cong, establishing an independent administrative institution known as the chanyutai (單于台; "Office of the Chanyu"). The role of the Grand Chanyu was primarily to manage the affairs of the tribes, thus separating the administrative systems of the Han Chinese and non-Chinese.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Han-Zhao (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Former Zhao: Key Facts
| Capital | Linfen |
|---|---|
| Founded | 304 CE |
| Dissolved | 329 CE |
Preceded by
- Western Jin dynasty
Succeeded by
Facts from Wikidata Q1574107 (CC0).
Former Zhao Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 647,071 km² in 330 CE.
Former Zhao: Frequently Asked Questions
When did Former Zhao exist?
Former Zhao is dated to 306 CE – 336 CE, in the Classical Antiquity era.
What was the capital of Former Zhao?
The capital of Former Zhao was Lishi (304–305), Liting (305–308), Puzi (308–309), Pingyang (309–318), Chang'an (318–329), Shanggui (329).
How large was Former Zhao at its peak?
At its peak in 330 AD Former Zhao covered about 647,071 km².