Liu Xiu

Liu Xiu
Portrait of Emperor Guangwu from Sancai Tuhui
Emperor of China
Reign	5 August 25 – 29 March 57
Predecessor	none, Emperor Gengshi as Emperor of Yuan Han
Successor	Emperor Ming
Born	13 January 5 BC
Died	29 March 57 (aged 62)
Empress Consort	Guo Shengtong Yin Lihua Consort Xu
Issue	Liu Jiang, Prince Gong of Donghai Liu Zhuang, Crown Prince Liu Fu, Prince Xian of Pei Liu Kang, Prince An of Zinan Liu Yán, Prince Zhi of Fulin Liu Yǎn, Prince Jian of Zhongshan Liu Ying, Prince of Chu Liu Cang, Prince Xian of Dongping Liu Jing, Prince Si of Guanglin Liu Heng, Duke Huai of Lin Liu Jing, Prince Xiao of Langye Liu Yiwang (劉義王), Princess Wuyang Liu Zhongli (劉中禮), Princess Nieyang Liu Hongfu (劉紅夫), Princess Guantao Liu Liliu (劉禮劉), Princess Yuyang Liu Shou (劉綬), Princess Liyi
Full name Family name: Liu (劉) Given name: Xiu (秀) Courtesy name: Wenshu (文叔) Era dates Jianwu (建武): 25–56 Jianwuzhongyuan (建武中元): 56–58 Posthumous name Short: Emperor Guangwu (光武帝) Full: Emperor Guangwu (光武皇帝) "continuator and martial" Temple name Shizu (世祖)
Dynasty	Eastern Han
Father	Liu Qin (劉欽)
Mother	Lady Fan

Emperor Guangwu (born Liu Xiu; 13 January 5 BC – 29 March AD 57),courtesy name Wenshu, was an emperor of the Chinese Han dynasty, restorer of the dynasty in AD 25 and thus founder of the Later Han or Eastern Han (the restored Han Dynasty). He ruled over parts of China at first, and through suppression and conquest of regional warlords, the whole of China was consolidated by the time of his death in 57.

Liu Xiu was one of the many descendants of the Han imperial family. Following the usurpation of the Han throne by Wang Mang and the ensuing civil war during the disintegration of Wang's short-lived Xin Dynasty, he emerged as one of several descendants of the fallen dynasty claiming the imperial throne. After assembling forces and proclaiming himself emperor in the face of competitors, he was able to defeat his rivals, destroy the peasant army of the Chimei, known for their disorganization and marauding, and finally reunify the whole of China in AD 36.

He established his capital in Luoyang, 335 kilometers (208 mi) east of the former capital Chang'an, ushering in the Later/Eastern Han Dynasty. He implemented some reforms (notably land reform, albeit not very successfully) aimed at correcting some of the structural imbalances responsible for the downfall of the Former/Western Han. His reforms gave a new 200-year lease on life to the Han Dynasty.

Emperor Guangwu's campaigns featured many able generals, but curiously, he lacked major strategists. That may very well be because he himself appeared to be a brilliant strategist; he often instructed his generals as to strategy from afar, and his predictions generally would be accurate. This was often emulated by later emperors who fancied themselves great strategists but who actually lacked Emperor Guangwu's brilliance—usually to great disastrous results.

Also unique among emperors in Chinese history was Emperor Guangwu's combination of decisiveness and mercy. He often sought out peaceful means rather than bellicose means of putting areas under his control. He was, in particular, one of the rare examples of a founding emperor of a dynasty who did not kill, out of jealousy or paranoia, any of the generals or officials who contributed to his victories after his rule was secure.

Liu Xiu was the sixth generation descendant of Emperor Jing of the Former (or Western) Han. He was the son of Liu Qin (劉欽), magistrate (i.e., head official) of Nandun county (南頓令). Liu Qin was the son of Liu Hui (劉回), vice governor in charge of military affairs for Julu commandery (鉅鹿都尉). Liu Hui was the son of Liu Wai (劉外), governor of Yulin commandery (鬱林太守). Liu Wai was the son of Liu Mai (劉買), known posthumously as Marquess Jie of Chongling (舂陵節侯). Liu Mai was the son of Liu Fa (劉發), known posthumously as Prince Ding of Changsha (長沙定王). The prince of Changsha was a brother of Emperor Wu, a famous emperor of the Former Han, and he was the son of Emperor Jing. (This made Liu Xiu third cousin to Emperor Gengshi, who was also descended from Liu Fa.)