Liu Bang, << lyoh bahng >>, also spelled Liu Pang (248?-195 B.C.), was a Chinese emperor who founded the Han dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D. 220). He is also known as Han Gaozu (Han Kao-tsu). Liu was the first commoner to become emperor. He reigned as king of the Han from 206 to 202 B.C., and as emperor from 202 to 195 B.C. Liu revived feudalism in China by setting up regional kingdoms, with the rulers controlled by the central government. He was a skillful politician and made peace with tribes that were invading China from Mongolia. Liu was often cruel and ruthless, but he eliminated many harsh laws. He was uneducated and scorned scholars. But by the end of his reign, he allowed a few scholars to hold minor government positions.
Liu, a farmer’s son, was born near Xuzhou (Hsu-chou) in Jiangsu province. He became one of the generals who led revolutionary forces against the Qin (Ch’in) dynasty from 209 to 206 B.C. The name Han Gaozu identifies Liu as “great ancestor” of the Han dynasty.
See also Han dynasty.
