It is believed that after the end of the Han dynasty, he was the only king who brought prosperity to China. He was believed to have had a calmer reign than his ancestors who were known for their ruthlessness. As the founding emperor of the Song Dynasty, Song Taizhu is credited with reuniting Medieval China after it was split into several warring states following the disintegration of the Tang Dynasty. Famous Emperors in Chinese history (Imperial Cultures of China Series)(English Edition) Shangguan Ping Published byChina Intercontinental Press, 2010 ISBN 10: 7508518101ISBN 13: 9787508518107 Seller: Better World Books Ltd, Dunfermline, United Kingdom Contact seller Seller Rating: Book Chongzhen was the 17th and the last emperor of the Ming Dynasty and also, the last Han Chinese to reign as the Emperor of China. The Chinese navy, under the auspice of Chengzu, also sailed throughout Asia, establishing numerous diplomatic relationships and reaching as far as Africa. Empress Wu Zetian was a competent and great leader, and as the only Chinese empress, she can be seen as an image of female empowerment in the ancient world. 1. She a formidable woman and a shrewd strategist, who triumphed in a paternalistic society. The Best Chinese Emperors in History Qin Shihuang () Han Wudi () Han Guangwudi () Tang Taizong () Tang Xuanzong () Song Taizhu () Ming Chengzu () Emperor Kangxi () Emperor Yongzheng () Emperor Qianlong () Qin Shihuang. Han Wudi (156BC87 BC) Han Dynasty. He expanded his empire, making the Mongolian Empire the largest empire in the history of China. Wu Zetian is, of course, most famous for being the only female emperor of China. Qin Shi Huang conquered the other six ducal states and built the first feudal and centralized empire in Chinese history. Below is a list of 10 of the most famous people in ancient China who were not emperors. To begin with, her rule was the Zhou Dynasty. He built the Great Wall of China to defend the countrys boundaries from the attacks of northern invaders. Chinese emperors are referred to in many ways. Actual name (Zhu Di). Reigned 221 BC to 210 BC as Emperor of China (the Qin Dynasty). Most importantly, Song Taizhu wisely curtailed the authorities of military commanders after his ascension, not through bloodshed or murder, but by coercion. Qin Shihuang () Though often infuriated, he continued to respect and honor Wei Zheng till beyond the latters passing. Additionally, Ying Zhengs many military campaigns expanded the Chinese sphere of domination, including into the barbarian areas of Guangdong and Hunan. Genghis Khan might have had a ferocious reputation but he played a major role in bringing Eastern and Western cultures into contact. This famous classic is considered to be the bible . Modern visitors to the Forbidden City would be constantly reminded of this by the curly script that accompanies Chinese characters on official plaques. For this reason, he called himself 'Shihuang', literally meaning 'the first emperor of China'. Ced Yong (author) from Asia on October 18, 2017: Thanks perfect for projects if you're comparing Chinese emperors! His reign marked the peak of feudalism in China. Tang Xuanzong. 8. And some emperors before that! Under his reign, he did not give power to military officials, but instead trusted the civil officials in his administration more. Widely recognized as one of the most enlightened and successful too. Ancient China has always been an intriguing topic, so here are the top 12 most popular Chinese figures of all time. With his many intellectual policies, Emperor Taizong not only reigned over the country but earned the appreciation of the people of his kingdom too. Kangxi Kangxi Emperor Kangxi (1654-1722) was the longest-reigning emperor in the history of China. The Qing dynasty (1644-1912) was the last imperial dynasty of China. These scholars completed the monumental Yongle Encyclopedia during his reign. 12. His Majesty, the Hongwu Emperor, founder of the Ming Dynasty. This was the first time when all the territories of China were governed by one ruler. During a peaceful reign, he expanded his economy and territory, making the Song dynasty a golden period. She was 12 at the time and later would become one of his most trusted advisors. Ming Taizu (private name : Zhu Yuanzhang )was the founder and the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China. To begin with, Chengzu didnt inherit his throne, he wrenched it from his nephew. The most famous victim of this horrific punishment was the historian, Sima Qian. Whether you want to learn the history of a city, or you simply need a recommendation for your next meal, Discover Walks Team offers an ever-growing travel encyclopaedia. He established prefectures and counties ruled directly by the emperor; Unified currency, weights and measures. In other words, the Qing royal family was not Chinese at all. Generally, in the Chinese dynastic cycle, emperors founding a dynasty usually consolidated the empire through absolute rule: examples include Qin Shi Huang of the Qin, Emperor Taizong of the Tang, Kublai Khan of the Yuan, and the Kangxi Emperor of the Qing. He united China under one rule for the first time in 221 BC. Empress Wu Zetian, who lived during the Tang Dynasty, was the only female emperor who ruled China.. She was a very controversial figure because she was initially emperor Taizong's concubine.. This dictionary would go on to become the official reference for all Chinese writing for the next two hundred years. Hirohito (, 29 April 1901 - 7 January 1989) was the 124th Emperor of Japan according to the traditional order of succession. Considered the wisest emperor in Chinese history, Emperor Taizong of Tang, or Tang Taizong, was the second ruler of the Tang dynasty. I will try to come out with more Asian articles. (Image: Zz3701 via Dreamstime) 2. Whats more, Chengzu also officiated the truly inhuman practice of killing concubines upon an emperors death. 13 out of the 16 emperors of the Ming Dynasty were buried in the Ming Tombs near Beijing. Being so large, Yangtze is China's most important waterway, providing water to farmland that gives food to one-third of the population. For Qing Dynasty emperors, the last ones on this list, they tend to be remembered by their era titles. A name often associated with despotism too. Famous emperors include Han Gaozu (first emperor of Han dynasty), Tang Taizong (an emperor who made Tang Dynasty the most powerful and well-known to the world, Zhu Yuanzhang (first emperor of Ming Dynasty), Kangxi (most powerful emperor of the Qing Dynasty), and Puyi (last emperor of China) in the Qing Dynasty. To put it in another way, he accomplished what the Mongolians utterly failed to do during the earlier Yuan Dynasty. Puyi, also famous as Pu Yi, was the last Emperor of China who remained the 12th and last Emperor of the Qing Dynasty. China and India are broken down chronologically by dynasty, empire, or kindgom. Famous Chinese Concubines Throughout History Empress Wu Zetian (), AD 624-705 Also known as Consort Wu, Wu Zetian was an influential consort during her time. From what I could deduce though, their system back then was more of vassal states honouring a leading one. The Painted Veil (2006) A British medical doctor fights a cholera epidemic in a small Chinese village, while being trapped at home in a loveless marriage to an unfaithful wife. Among them the following ten emperors have won the greatest respects from their people for their outstanding achievements in social development. Who was considered the best emperor of China? In older Shaw Brothers movies, he is even accused of brutally assassinating many Ming Dynasty loyalists using a macabre guillotine device. Once on the dragon throne, Tang Taizong benefitted from the support of several legendary statesmen and generals; for example, the strategist Li Jing. In the immediate years that followed his reign, this move was invaluable in freeing China from the age-old threat of internal feuding. He was also known as Hongwu Emperor which means vastly martial. During this, he personally killed his elder and third brother. Famous Emperors of China [Song Lulu] on Amazon.com.au. He reunified most of China after following a period of political instability and fragmentation. Is it just sexism or does she not deserve her place in history? Zhu Dis contribution to education, the military, the economy, and the growth of the Ming dynasty are commendable. Emperor Guangwu (statue, right) has been called the most humane of China's emperors by historians. Li Shimin, Emperor Taizong of Tang, was not only a famous politician and military man, but he was also a calligrapher and poet. Vault 2: the most famous of the three pits, being around 96 meters by 84 meters in size. In addition to that title, rulers from different dynasties used other titles like Lord of Ten Thousand Years, Holy Highness, and Son of Heaven. Who are some famous emperors in Chinese history? Befitting his epithet as the Martial Emperor of Han, Wudi doubled the size of the Han Chinese empire too, either through diplomatic alliances or the conquest of neighboring states like Nanyue. Notoriously, Wudi executed entire clans in 96 BC, including royal relatives, on suspicion of witchcraft. Genghis Khan is also known as the genocidal ruler due to his brutality towards civilians. love this if theres any more top ten like this id like to read them thanks, Thank you this helped me a lot because Im studying Chinese emperors at school and this helped me a lot. You forgot Sui Wendi! His tragic romance with Consort Yang is immortalized in many Chinese stories and poems. His father then replaced him with Li Zhi instead. Murderous, short-tempered, barbaric as pulp fiction will continue to accuse Yongzheng of, it is undeniable that he contributed to over a century of prosperity in pre-modern China. Everything was well laid out for him. I'm sure one would be spit on if he claims Qin Shihuang is a great emperor during those times. In fact, many historians nowadays acknowledge Qianlongs reign as one of the most glorious periods in imperial Chinese history. And even though he served using a regent, he was forced to abdicate therefore ending the imperial system which had been ruling China for thousands of years, and also bringing to an end the 267 years of the Qing Dynasty rule in China. Wu Zetian (private name: Wu Xu)was the only female emperor in the Chinese feudal dynasties spanning more than 4,000 years. With his efficient governance and political agenda, he reunified a nation which was in decline after the fall of the Western Jin dynasty. To give some indications of Kangxis able administration, his treasury near tripled from 14 million taels at the start of his reign, to 50 million at its peak. Excellent summaries. Thanks for your correction. LOL. Yuan Longping (1930-2021) Name in Chinese: (Yun Lngpng) Famous as: Plant Scientist Yuan Longping was one of the greatest agricultural scientists of our time, a hero who will be forever remembered in China and around the world. (UN)fortunately, or not, a lot of us Chinese take that to be the concrete truth. Anyway giid post and imagery! Actual name (Ying Zheng). China became a great and powerful nation during his imperial reign. Something like the Holy Roman Empire, I think. "Han Wudi" is a posthumous name, while "Tang Xuanzong" is a temple name. The second emperor of the Tang Dynasty did not ascend the throne easily. Great Wall of China, Beijing 2. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. He was believed to have kept more than 1,000 concubines and introduced the barbaric tradition of concubines being killed after the death of their emperor. The second son of the founding emperor, Tang Gaozu, Taizong was a key figure in the bloody uprising that overthrew the previous Sui Dynasty. Emperor Yongzheng. At any given moment, there was always one particular wife of the emperor that was considered the chief wife, i.e. Emperor Taizong of Tang was the second emperor of the Tang dynasty of China. The Overlord of Western Chu, Xiang Yu. Decline always follows a pinnacle. Emperor Qin Shi Huang: Major Accomplishments and Facts, Emperor Qin Shi Huang (259 BC 210 BC), the First Emperor of a unified China, The Boston Massacre: The American Revolution, Confucius- Biography, Philosophy & Teachings, Ancient China: 10 major facts about one of historys greatest civilizations. A renowned name in Chinese history, also known as the First Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang was the founder of the Qin dynasty. Actual name (Liu Xiu). This area is famous because it has the most figures of military units from soldiers to archers to chariots and cavalry soldiers. And while she did contribute to the subsequent golden age of the Tang Dynasty, it's a little farfetched to say she ensured the next 250 years of it. Zhu Yuanzhang made the city of Nanjing in the east, as his capital during his reign. However, Qin Shi Huang is most famous for the tomb he built for himself: a mausoleum containing a terracotta army of over 8,000 statues of warriors and horses. Rather full of himself, Emperor Qianlong styled himself as the "old man of 10 perfections" in his later years. Because of these issues and betrayal of his generals and Li Zicheng, he committed suicide by hanging himself in Meishan, next to his palace. The Terracotta Army was built by Emperor Qin Shi Huang, China's very first emperor. After last constitutional changes, someone calling him new chinese emperor and he is rebuilding superpower position of China which dimnished since collapse of corrupted and weak Qing dynasty. His accomplishments secured the peaceful reign of his son Yongzheng. Thank you. 2. Ced Yong (author) from Asia on September 07, 2017: Wu Zetian was a capable administrator, absolutely brilliant compared to many other Chinese emperors. His grandson, Qianlong, also greatly benefitted. Emperor Wen Di of the Western Han Dynasty, Liu Heng. He could also take innumerable number of concubines to serve him in his massive palace. They are of course Sun Tzu and Confucius. His reign lasted from 1260 AD to 1294 AD during which he ruled over a vast province that stretched from China to present-day Korea. Quite likely, it would have stayed the messy collection of bickering states it was before Qin Shihuangs rule. He re-established another (and primary) capital in Beijing. It is similar in many ways as a monarchy. Many monarchies ruled during this time, but only the greatest ones have left their mark. He is best known for expanding Chinas territories. Ming Taizu (1328 1398) Ming Dynasty. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); World History Edu 2022. Emperor Taizong of Tang (598 AD649 AD), The 10 Oldest Ancient Civilizations That Have Ever Existed, Top 10 Most Worshiped Ancient Egyptian Gods and Goddesses, Top 10 Inventions and Discoveries of Ancient Greece, Top 11 Inventions and Discoveries of Mesopotamia, Top 10 Most Important Events in Ancient China, Top 18 Ancient Chinese Inventions and Discoveries, Top 12 Greatest Leaders in Ancient Mesopotamia, Top 7 Most Important Events in Ancient Persia, Top 11 Most Important Events in Ancient Babylonia, Top 23 Fascinating Facts about the Ancient Persian Empire. Famous Emperors of China (Chinese Edition) [Song Lulu] on Amazon.com. He only had to manage his vast empire well. 5. After him, the powerful clan preserved the unified Chinese empire and all different kingdoms. Reigned AD 1735 to AD 1796. Her achievements are greater than some of the listed rulers here. Actual name (Zhao Kuangyin). Famous Emperors of China (Chinese Edition) Through his ideology and effective governance, he unified the nation in real terms. He was the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty. Austrian Empire Ferdinand (I) (1835-48) Charles (I) (1916-18) Aztec empire Montezuma II (1502-20) Cuauhtmoc (1520-22) Empire of Brazil (1822-89) Pedro I (1822-31) Had the Lis not successfully removed her and restore Tang rule, the Tang Dynasty could have ended there and then. Rather, they benefitted from the labors of forefathers. The first great khan of the empire, he reigned from 1206 AD to 1227 AD and the empire flourished for years after his death. It is the largest imperial mausoleum complex in China and also in the world. Emperor Shi Huang of the Qin Dynasty, Ying Zheng. Check out my hub on Chinese myths. She was a cruel and merciless woman, who would reach her goals by fair means or foul. He is known as having been a charismatic leader, who took care of the poor, fought corruption and brought major developments to the nation. A dynasty was a series of leaders usually from the same family or ancestral lineage. I would keep it as that and not ponder how she would fare as a man. Gloria Siess from Wrightwood, California on October 28, 2016: Excellent hub! Yet, centuries later, China continues to benefit from his decisions. Guangwudi of Eastern Han. The Ming dynasty was a dynasty of China that existed from 1368 to 1644, succeeding the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty and falling amidst much political turmoil to the short-lived Shun dynasty.Sixteen emperors ruled over the whole of China proper spanning 276 years. I did visit and commented a while ago. For that matter, he succeeded where no other conqueror of China, in history, ever did. sorry but i think the private name for Song Taizu (6) is not correct..should be (zhao kuangyin). Mulan II (2004 Video) G | 79 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy 5.6 Rate this While preparing for their wedding, Shang and Mulan are suddenly sent off on a secret mission. Answer (1 of 7): Among all those Chinese emperors, four of them are most famous: * Qin Shi Huang (, The First Emperor of Qin, Ying Zheng, Reign 220 BC - 210 BC as the emperor, 247 BC - 221 BC as the king of Qin): He became the king of the Qin, one of warring states, in 247 BC. While Qianlong didnt suffer a dramatic reversal of fate like Tang Xuanzong, the Qing Dynasty went into decline during his later reign. Much death and hardship for commoners would have also resulted. Chinese history has witnessed many rulers that are not even mentioned in this list who helped the country to become the dominant power that it is today. He is known to have encouraged his father Li Yuan to rebel against the Sui Dynasty in 617 and is therefore credited as being the co-founder of the Tang Dynasty. Kangxi is the longest-reigning emperor in Chinese history. Without a doubt, Han Wudi then ruled over one of the largest and strongest empires in antiquity. Peace was all the commonplace, and the government was righteous. The prominent achievements made in economy, technology, and culture placed China in the forefront of the world. Here is a list of the top 10 greatest emperors of ancient China. His reign lasted from 960 AD to 976 AD. Thanks for commenting. In these, Yongzheng is often portrayed as a power-hungry monster who first murdered his father (Kangxi) for the throne, then massacred most of his brothers to secure his rule. Management-wise, he was largely successful in improving the efficiency of the bureaucracy, weeding out corruption, and enhancing fiscal policies. Considering how absolute their powers were in most cases, many ancient rulers of China often descended into a very autocratic and obnoxious rule, inflicting unimaginable horrors upon millions and millions of people. Glad you like this writeup. Movies about China & Chinese. Tang Taizong. Needless to say, this would have badly crippled the development of the Middle Kingdom as a major civilization. Sign in Sign up for FREE Prices and download plans Because of this, subsequent Chinese dynasties and emperors all regarded Taizongs reign as an age of enlightenment. Emperor Taizu encouraged freedom of thought and stimulated growth in the fields of science, art, and literature. Personally, I've long concluded the CCP is but another dynasty albeit one using different titles. He is regarded as one of the best monarchs that China has seen; and as a matter of fact, other monarchs works were judged against that of Emperor Taizong. In traditional Chinese political theory, the emperor was considered the Son of Heaven and the autocrat of all under Heaven.Under the Han dynasty, Confucianism replaced Legalism as the official political . Dont mean offensive, or do not want sound like troll, or initiate flamewar, but what about Xi Jinping? Most importantly, Xuanzongs diplomacy and military direction survived endless bickering with neighboring empires. A rationalist by nature, Taizong furthermore improved imperial examination systems, scorned superstitions, and tolerated criticism. No list of the greatest Chinese emperors is thus fair, or complete, without his name on it. It was during his short rule that he moved the Chinese capital center from Nanjing to Beijing, therefore, centralizing power and money, and greatly expanded the Forbidden City; a city that became home to about 22 emperors after him. After his death, the emperor, whose original at birth at the name was La Shimin, his son Li Zhi took the throne. The strength and power of the Tang dynasty was very closely related to Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin. So it was said, during the uprising, Guangwudi never needed a strategist. However, like the Terracotta Army and the Forbidden Palace, they ultimately bequeathed China with a trove of relics and sites. Powered by - Designed with theHueman theme. His other feats include the vast territorial expansion and his promotion of Confucian doctrines. Your email address will not be published. Emperor Wen is thought to be the only king in the history of Chinese civilization to have only two concubines, unlike emperors in the Ming dynasty who were thought to have kept over 9,000. Ced Yong (author) from Asia on August 07, 2018: Hi Jerry, thanks for commenting. He had appointed his eldest son Li Cheng Qian as his successor and crown prince at the time but the young man thought his father would change his mind and replace him with his younger brother Li Tai and tried a coup, which failed. Talk of falling from grace to grass!! Some Chinese historians consider him the greatest Chinese ruler of all time. The empire improved a great deal during his rule. Two of them are so popular that we decided to dedicate separate pages for them and their achievements. Reigned AD 626 to AD 649. He began many economic and political reforms throughout China. Ced Yong (author) from Asia on November 06, 2017: Yang: Oh gosh, there's like, more than half a dynasty between the two. This led to some write-ups hailing the Song Dynasty as a Chinese era of liberalism. We may all come from different walks of life but we have one common passion - learning through travel. Over time, these states could have eventually developed starkly different cultures and identities. In summary, without Guangwudis accomplishments, Ancient China could have reverted to being a collection of warring states, never recovering from the wounds inflicted by Wang Mangs coup. The fifth khagan of the Mongol Empire, Kublai Setsen Khan, who was also known as Emperor Shizu of Yuan, was the grandson of Genghis Khan. Note: Chinese pop entertainment depictions of Xuanzong inevitably focus on his disastrous love for Consort Yang. As for Sui Wendi, he was indeed one of the best Chinese emperors. Generally, historians consider leaders the to be kings, not emperors. During his early years of reign, he saw the continuity of an era of prosperity. 1. The Emperor did, however, somewhat redeemed himself with the famous Repenting Edict of Luntai (| Luntai Huizhao), which took place after Wudis crown prince rebelled against him. Guang Wudi (5 BC 57) Eastern Han. I acknowledge this is very much my personal opinion, and that I am affected by how short the Sui dynasty is. During his peaceful reign, the Qing Dynasty was also at the height of its power, fueled by a thriving economy and doubling in size. Having defeated all the six other warring states by 221 BC, he crowned himself the first emperor of China (Shi Huang). 1. Tragically, however, Xianzongs latter year obsession with legendary beauty Consort Yang (, Yang Guifei) contributed to the Anshi Rebellion, which in turn kick-started the decline of the Tang Dynasty. Top 10 Things to do Around the Eiffel Tower, 10 Things to Do in Paris on Christmas Day (2022), 10 Things to Do in Luxembourg Gardens in Paris. All in all, imperial China witnessed more than five hundred emperors spread across a dozen or so dynasties, including famous ones like the Qin dynasty, the Western Han, the Eastern Han, the Sui dynasty, the Tang dynasty, the Ming dynasty, and the Qing dynasty. Who were the most famous Emperors of China . Fascinating artwork, I enjoyed this. I have no idea and I doubt anyone would ever. Wu Zetian adopted some liberal and advanced political systems, including selecting talent on a large scale, conducting economic development and responding positively to expostulation.The stable society and booming economy during her reign laid a foundation for the Kaiyuan Flourishing Age later in the Tang Dynasty. Emperor Hui of Han, widely known as Liu Ying, was the man who 'sealed the deal' for the dominance of the Han Dynasty. He reformed China by invading nations such as Vietnam and Mongolia and is known to have sent a ship to the Indian Ocean and Africa. After WWII, he was arrested and taken back to China and tried as a war criminal but was pardoned. Temple of Heaven, Beijing 5. Liu Ying was the emperor who made sure that great veneration was guarded around his father's name in the entire land of China. Meet the man who moved the Chinese capital to Beijing and is credited for building The Forbidden City! Dynasties in China are credited to have developed or destroyed China in different ways; the Sui Dynasty, for example, was known to have extended the Great Wall of China and built the Grand Canal, while leadership under the Ming Dynasty was known to have completed by the Great Wall, changed the Chinese capital to Beijing and built the Forbidden City! It was a very common phenomenon for a Chinese emperor to have as many wives as his heart desires. Ced Yong (author) from Asia on June 07, 2019: this helped me so much im doing an assesmant on qin. Many things could be written about Qin Shihuang, the so-called first Emperor of China. Yongle was not supposed to be emperor, his father died in 1398 and his elder brothers son was named as a crown prince but three years into his rule, the empire had been marred by so much war are downfall such that Yongle decided to drive him out of power and focused on improving the economic, military and general state of the empire, which he did very well. The Song Dynasty is known for its economic and cultural prosperity. Born Xuanye, the Kangxi Emperor was the Qing dynastys fourth emperor. The Tang Dynastys progress into its golden age was unhindered. Taizong (birth name, Li-Shimin, l. 598-649 CE, r. 626-649 CE) was the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty and is considered one of the greatest rulers in Chinese history for his reforms of the government and the laws, his religious tolerance, and the prosperity China enjoyed under his reign.. Taizong set the standard for rulers of the Tang Dynasty, regarded as the Golden Age of Chinese history . He is remembered for being the founder of the Qin Dynasty. Here are some of the most famous emperors of China. He suppressed the Revolt of the Three Feudatories, bringing the island of Taiwan under Qing Dynasty, blocked Tzarist Russia on the Amur River and expanded the empire in the northwest. We Chinese will never move away from the dynastic mindset. Tang Taizong (599 - 649) - Tang Dynasty Tang Taizong (private name: Li Shimin) is typically considered as one of the greatest emperors in Chinese history. To give some indication of this famous emperors territorial/military accomplishments, at the peak of Wudis reign, Han China extended from the Korean peninsula to Eurasia. China Whisper 2022. Portraits in this article are from the collection, One Hundred Portraits of Chinese Emperors () by Lu Yan Guang. His ideas about government, education, and morality are still studied and respected today. largest and the strongest nation in the world, Top 10 Online English Shopping Websites From China. 3. He later compiled a dictionary of Chinese characters and named it the Kangxi Dictionary. The Most Famous Emperors; Name Birthday Nationality Bio; Sundiata Keita: August 20, 1217: Central African: Sundiata Keita was the founder of the Mali Empire in West Africa: Ashoka: 304 BC: . 1. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Song Taizu (private name: Zhao Kuangyin)was the founder of the Song Dynasty. . Hanging Temple, Datong, Shanxi Province 7. After defeating the Song dynasty, he created a unified China, upgraded the countrys infrastructure and rebuilt the Grand Canal. He is usually compared to Peter the Great; while he was an ambitious leader who valued political and diplomatic alliances, he was also a brutal man who not only killed his enemies but executed the families and friends. Before Wudi's reign, the Han Dynasty grew strong and stable under the capable leadership of Emperors Wen and Jing. Like his grandfather, he also commissioned a great literary project the Siku Quanshu () was an encyclopedia meant to rival the Yongle Encyclopaedia (see above). This content is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional. Song Taizong as the actual one who laid the foundation for the prosperity of the dynasty. Personal name, courtesy name, temple name, posthumous name, and sometimes just the era + emperor. His subsequent reforms and military successes then paved the way for another golden age in China. He reigned as the Emperor of the Empire of Japan () from 25 December 1926 until 1947 and of the state of Japan () from 1947 until his death on 7 January 1989. Han Wudi was quite fond of punishing courtiers with castration, known as Gong Xing in Chinese. History, on the other hand, records Yongzheng as a hardworking emperor, not too unlike his long-reigning father. :). Chongzhen is known to have tried to revive the failing Ming Dynasty. According to legend, Chinese martial arts or Wushu, were invented over 4,000 years ago by the legendary Yellow Emperor. Li Ka-shing's foundation has donated more than $3.3 billion; over 80% has gone to Greater China. It is also, of course, an important milestone in the preservation of Chinese culture. The most notorious of these were book burnings and the live burials of scholars ( | fenshu kengru). Here is a list of the top 10 greatest emperors of ancient China. Ced earned a bachelor's degree in communication studies in 1999. Also known as the Yongle Emperor ( | Yongle Dadi), Ming Chengzu is the contentious one on this list of greatest Chinese emperors. Very informative and concise to trigger my desire for more. Zhao Kuangyin or Emperor Taizu of Song is the father of the Song dynasty, also the first Song emperor of China. Born in A.D. 599, he marched with his father Li . Li Shimin, Emperor Taizong of Tang. Despite being known for his brutality, Genghis Khan made many positive developments during his reign. Try write another asian article! 6. The compendium is still the largest paper-based encyclopedia in history too. Chinese Emperors have a very loosely defined status of personal wealth, which differs from Western understanding. Historical portraits all tend to depict the emperors as rather stately. Top 10 Terrible Chinese EmperorsThe worst emperors of China range from the dissolute to the indifferent, to the downright psychotic. Gan De Gan De was an astrologer and astronomer. He was the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty from 1402 to 1424. Happy travels! Regardless of the veracity of these theories, Song Taizhu did bring an end to one of Chinas most tumultuous eras. The Han Chinese are an East Asian ethnic group- from China, who make up 18% of the worlds population. She was actually the first female Emperor in the history of China. He had however helped the family rule the empire even though he overthrew his father, and taking his throne. The images themselves have been reproduced on popular tourist souvenirs such as playing cards. Rank the following in order from most influential to least, give a reason for each: Wu Di, Confucius, Qin Shi-Huangdi, and Liu Bang. Qianlong was a grandson of the Emperor Kangxi and the fourth Emperor of the Qing Dynasty. Outside of political management, the insightful emperor commissioned the extensive Kangxi Dictionary, which upon completion, contained over 47,000 characters. Historical study of him was even made compulsory education for young princes. He was soon to realize that his grandfather, father, and brother had left him a disaster of a kingdom. Lord Xiao Gong of Qin, Ying Quliang. Cheeky Kid from Milky Way on October 29, 2016: All this time, I thought the first ever emperor was an emperor named "Yu"--Emperor Yu. The Grand Canal linked the Yellow River and the Yangtze River and opened up a major trading route and led to an improved economy. The most renowned project accomplished under his reign was the construction of the Grand Canal. During Taizongs reign, Tang was the largest and the strongest nation in the world. It is the site for an important rite, held at the winter solstice, in which the emperor reports on the state of the nation to the heaven and pays it homage. The autobiography From Emperor to Citizen was published after Puyi was reduced to a worker in a repair shop. Before Qin Shihuang, China had the Zhou, Shang, and supposedly Xia dynasties. He enjoys powers equivalent to that of a typical Chinese emperor, but whether that would benefit or harm China in the long run remains to be seen. His reign as First Emperor lasted from 220 BC to 210 BC under which he unified all seven of the warring states in China. Ced Yong (author) from Asia on October 30, 2016: Hey Garnet! 1 Alexander the Great (King of Macedonia from 336 BC to 323 BC) 200 122 Birthdate: 0356 Sun Sign: Cancer Birthplace: Pella, Greece Died: May 31, 0323 Counted amongst the greatest military commanders of all times, Alexander the Great successfully created one of the largest empiresfrom Macedonia to Persia and Indiaof the ancient world. Actual name (Aixin Jueluo Hongli). Ced Yong (author) from Asia on January 10, 2019: That's an interesting question! That Taizong once described Wei Zheng as a mirror, one which he could use to check his wrongdoings, is the ultimate testimonial of this great rulers humility and rationality. 6. Secondly, he was an exceptionally suspicious, cruel, and ruthless man, notorious for his harsh treatment of defeated enemies. Sakyamuni Pagoda Fogong Temple, Shanxi Province 8. The reign of Ming Chengzu left history with the Yongle Encyclopedia which is the largest paper-based encyclopedia. Tiananmen Square 6. He strengthened the central administration and weakened the power of local warlords. Share. The empire greatly benefitted from his economic, educational, and military reforms. He repaired and reopened the Grand Canal and, between 1406 and 1420, directed the construction of the Forbidden City. That, however, was not the end of his troubles. The capital was also a cosmopolitan metropolis thriving on trade from the Silk Route, the heart of Chinas most prosperous golden age. He married Zhangsun Sheng, the daughter of the Sui dynasty general, at the age of 14. Tang Taizong (599 649) Tang Dynasty, Tang Taizong (private name: Li Shimin)is typically considered as one of the greatest emperors in Chinese history. Qin Shi Huang, also called Shihuangdi, Wade-Giles romanization Shih-huang-ti, personal name (xingming) Zhao Zheng or Ying Zheng, (born c. 259 bce, Qin state, northwestern Chinadied 210 bce, Hebei), emperor (reigned 221-210 bce) of the Qin dynasty (221-207 bce) and creator of the first unified Chinese empire (which collapsed, however, less than four years after his death). 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