Oghuz Khaqan
| Maodun/Modun/Modu | |
|---|---|
| Hunnu Chanyu | |
| Chanyu of the Xiongnu Empire | |
| Reign | 209–174 BC |
| Predecessor | Touman |
| Successor | Laoshang |
| Born |
c. 234 BC Modern-day Mongolia |
| Died | 174 BC |
| Dynasty | Maodun |
| Father | Touman |
Modu, Modun, or Maodun (simplified Chinese: 冒顿单于; traditional Chinese: 冒頓單于; pinyin: Mòdú Chányú; Mongolian: Модунь, Modun; Баатар, Baatar; c. 234 – c. 174 BC) was the fourth known Xiongnu ruler and the founder of the Xiongnu Empire. He became the Xiongnu ruler after he ordered the execution of his father Touman in 209 BC.
Modu ruled from 209 BC to 174 BC. He was a military leader under his father Touman, and later the Chanyu and king of the Xiongnu, centred in modern-day Mongolia. He secured the throne and established a powerful Xiongnu Empire by successfully unifying the tribes of the Mongolian steppes in response to the crisis of the loss of Xiongnu pasture lands to invading Chinese Qin Dynasty forces commanded by Meng Tian in 215 BC. While Modu rode and then furthered the wave of militarization and effectively centralized Xiongnu power, the Qin quickly fell into disarray with the death of the first emperor in 210, leaving Modu a free hand to expand his Xiongnu Empire into one of the largest of his time. The eastern border stretched as far as the Liao River, the western borders of the empire reached the Pamir Mountains, whilst the northern border reached Lake Baikal.
He was succeeded by his son Laoshang Chanyu.
Several scholars have suggested the reconstructed Middle Chinese pronunciation of Mòdùn (冒頓) is IPA: [mək-twən]. His name is also written as Motun in some sources. Ultimately, the Old Chinese pronunciation might have represented the pronunciation of the foreign word *baγtur, a relative of the later attested Central Eurasian culture word baγatur ‘hero’. The etymology of this word is uncertain, although the first syllable is very likely the Iranian word *baγ ‘god, lord’, which is an element in the titles of many later Central Eurasian people. Clauson claims the word to be an original Xiongnu name/title.
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