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Wang Mang

Wang Mang
Emperor of the Xin Dynasty
Reign 9–23
Predecessor none, Ruzi Ying as Emperor of Western Han Dynasty
Successor dynasty abolished, Emperor Gengshi as Emperor of Xuan Han Dynasty
Born 45 BC
Died 6 October 23 (aged 68)
Spouse Empress Wang
Empress Shi
Zhenzhi, concubine
Huaineng, concubine
Kaiming, concubine
Issue Wang Yu (王宇)
Wang Hue (王獲)
Wang An, Prince of Xinqian (王安)
Wang Lin, Prince of Tongyiyang (王臨)
Wang Xing, Duke of Gongxiu (王興)
Wang Kuang, Duke of Gongjian (王匡)
Lady Wang, Empress Xiaoping of Han ()
Wang Jie, Lady of Mudai (王捷)
Lady Wang, Lady of Muxiu
Era dates
Shi-jian-guo 始建國 (9–13)
Tian-feng 天鳳 (14–19)
Di-huang 地皇 (20–23)
Posthumous name
none
Temple name
none
Dynasty Xin Dynasty
Father Wang Man ()
Mother Qu (渠)
Era dates
Shi-jian-guo 始建國 (9–13)
Tian-feng 天鳳 (14–19)
Di-huang 地皇 (20–23)
Posthumous name
none
Temple name
none
Wang Mang
Chinese 王莽

Wang Mang (Chinese: 王莽, c. 45 BC – 6 October 23 AD), courtesy name Jujun (巨君), was a Han Dynasty official who seized the throne from the Liu family and founded the Xin (or Hsin, meaning "renewed") Dynasty (新朝), ruling 9–23 AD. The Han dynasty was restored after his overthrow, and his rule marks the separation between the Western Han Dynasty (before Xin) and Eastern Han Dynasty (after Xin). Some historians have traditionally viewed Wang as a usurper, while others have portrayed him as a visionary and selfless social reformer. Though a learned Confucian scholar who sought to implement the harmonious society he saw in the classics, his efforts ended in chaos.

In October 23 AD, the capital Chang'an was attacked and the imperial palace ransacked. Wang Mang died in the battle.

The Han dynasty was reestablished in 25 AD when Liu Xiu (Emperor Guangwu) took the throne.

Wang Mang was the son of Wang Man (王曼), the younger brother of Empress Wang Zhengjun, and his wife Qu (渠, family name unknown), born in 45 BC. Wang Man died early, while Wang Mang was young, before Emperor Cheng took the throne and his mother Empress Wang became empress dowager. Unlike most of his brothers, Wang Man did not have the opportunity to become a marquess. Empress Wang took pity on his family, and after she herself was widowed, had Qu moved to the imperial palace to live with her.

While Wang Mang was obviously well-connected to the imperial family, he did not have nearly the luxuries that his cousins enjoyed. Indeed, unlike his relatives who lived expensively and competed with each other on how they could spend more, Wang Mang was praised for his humility, thriftiness, and desire to study. He wore not the clothes of young nobles but those of a young Confucian scholar. He was also praised on how filial he was to his mother and how caring he was to his deceased brother Wang Yong (王永)'s wife and son Wang Guang (王光). Wang Mang befriended many capable people and served his uncles carefully.


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