Han dynasty biography

Emperor Gaozu and the Start of the Han Empire

Following a mass revolt in the Qin Empire in 210 B.C. and brief control by warlord Xiang Yu, Liu Bang seized the title of emperor of the Han Dynasty in 202 B.C.

He established the Han capital of Chang’an along the Wei River in one of the few surviving palaces of the Qin Dynasty and took the name Emperor Gaozu.

The period of time where Chang’an served as the capital of the empire is known as the Western Han. It would last until around 23 A.D.

Gaozu immediately recognized a number of kingdoms in Ancient China but systematically replaced many of the kings with members of his own Liu family before his death in 195 B.C.

The idea was to prevent rebellions, but the Liu family kings often tested the stamina of the empire in favor of their own ambitions.

Empress Lu Zhi

Following Gaozu’s death, the Empress Lu Zhi made an attempt to take control by murdering a few of Gaozu’s sons.

Lu Zhi also personally mutilated and murdered her mother and Ga