Dong (Eastern) Han

Question 1

Dong (Eastern) Han

Answer 1

• The Han house was restored by Liu Xiu, better known as Guangwudi, who reigned from 25 to 57 ce.
• Guangwudi established his capital at Luoyang.
• The palace once more promoted the cause of scholarship.
• Under Mingdi (57–75) and Zhangdi (75–88), China was once more strong enough to adopt a positive foreign policy and set Chinese armies on the march against the Xiongnu.
• Chinese prestige reached its zenith around 90 and fell markedly after 125.
• Dynastic decline can be dated from the reign of Hedi (88–105/106), when the court once more came under the influence of consorts’ families and eunuchs.
• The weakness of the throne can be judged from the fact that, of the 14 emperors of Dong Han, no less than 8 took the throne as boys aged between 100 days and 15 years.
• During the last 50 years of Dong Han, northern China became subject to invasion from different sides, and, as was observed by several philosopher-statesmen, the administration became corrupt and ineffective.
• Soldiers of fortune and contestants for power were putting troops in the field in their attempts to establish themselves as emperors of a single united China.