Wusun: Map & History
The Wusun were an ancient semi-nomadic steppe people mentioned in Chinese records from the 2nd century BC to the 5th century AD.
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The Wusun were an ancient semi-nomadic steppe people mentioned in Chinese records from the 2nd century BC to the 5th century AD.
Modern Countries Once Part of Wusun
At its mapped extent, Wusun covered territory in 2 present-day countries. 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 Wusun'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.
Wusun in Depth
History
The Wusun were first mentioned by Chinese sources as living together with the Yuezhi between the Qilian Mountains and Dunhuang (Gansu). although different locations have been suggested for these toponyms.
Around 210–200 BC, prince Modu Chanyu, a former hostage of the Yuezhi and prince of the Xiongnu, who were also vassals of the Yuezhi, became leader of the Xiongnu and conquered the Mongolian Plain, subjugating several peoples. Around 176 BC Modu Chanyu launched a fierce raid against the Yuezhi. Around 173 BC, the Yuezhi subsequently attacked the Wusun, at that time a small nation, killing their king Nandoumi.
According to legend Nandoumi's infant son Liejiaomi was left in the wild. He was miraculously saved from hunger being suckled by a she-wolf, and fed meat by ravens.
Economy
According to the Shiji (c. 123) and the Book of Han (c. 96), Liu Xijun, a daughter of the Han prince Liu Jian, was sent to the ruler (kunmi or kunmo) of the Wusun between 110 BC and 105 BC. She describes them as nomads who lived in felt tents, ate raw meat and drank fermented mare's milk. Some early Chinese descriptions of the people were pejorative, describing them as "bad, greedy and unreliable, and much given to robbery", but their state was also described as very strong. However, the Wusun were also noted for their harmony towards their neighbours, even though they were constantly raided by the Xiongnu and Kangju.
The principal activity of the Wusun was cattle-raising, but they also practiced agriculture.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Wusun (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Wusun Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Wusun appears, with the other states of the time.
Wusun Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 205,697 km² in 58 BCE.
Wusun: Frequently Asked Questions
When did Wusun exist?
Wusun is dated to 170 BCE – 450 CE, in the Classical Antiquity era.
How large was Wusun at its peak?
At its peak in 58 BC Wusun covered about 205,697 km².
How did the map of Wusun change over time?
Wusun appears on 5 dated world maps in the atlas, from 1 CE to 400 CE. Each shows its borders in that year next to the other states of the time.