Ma Yuan (Han dynasty)

Ma Yuan
Ma Yuan's statue on Mount Fubo, Guilin
General of Eastern Han Dynasty
Born	14 BC
Died	49 AD (age 63)
Names
Traditional Chinese	馬援
Simplified Chinese	马援
Pinyin	Ma Yuan
Wade–Giles	Ba Yuan

Ma Yuan (Chinese: ; pinyin: Mǎ Yuán) (14 BC – 49 AD), known by his official title Fubo Jiangjun (伏波将军; "General who Calms the Waves"), was an ancient Chinese general of the Eastern Han dynasty. He was descended from the Warring States general Zhao She.

Ma Yuan was a native of what is now Xingping, Shaanxi province. His family was descended from the State of Zhao. His military and political achievements included helping Emperor Guangwu unite the empire and putting down rebellions of the Trung Sisters (in Jiaozhi, modern Vietnam) and the Wulin tribes (in modern eastern Guizhou and northwestern Hunan). He fell ill during an expedition to modern Hunan in 49 AD, and died soon afterwards. Prior to that, Ma Yuan contributed to Emperor Guangwu's defeat of the warlord Wei Xiao (隗囂), who controlled the modern eastern Gansu region.

He is considered one of the more famous generals in Chinese history, not only because of his military achievements, but also because he demonstrated perseverance and respect to his friends and subordinates. In addition to his military skills, his exhortations on personal discipline were also highly regarded. His daughter became Empress Ma of Emperor Ming of Han and was also highly respected.

One of his greatest achievements was the subjugation of the territory of the Nanman regions. It was for this he earned his title "Queller of the Deep." He was reportedly revered in that area (as was often the case of great warriors of that period), and his temple was established somewhere there . The territory he subjugated corresponds roughly with North Vietnam.