Emperor Zhao of Han

Emperor Zhao of Han
漢昭帝
Depiction of Emperor Zhao by Yan Liben, Tang dynasty
Emperor of the Han dynasty
Reign30 March 87 BC[1] – 5 June 74 BC
PredecessorEmperor Wu
SuccessorLiu He
BornLiu Fuling (劉弗陵)
94 BC
Chang'an, Han dynasty
Died5 June 74 BC (aged 20)
Chang'an, Han dynasty
Burial
Ping Mausoleum (平陵)
SpouseEmpress Xiaozhao
Names
Liu Fuling (劉弗陵)
Era dates
Shĭyúan 始元 (86–80 BC)
Yúanfèng 元鳳 (80–75 BC)
Yúanpíng 元平 (74 BC)
Posthumous name
Short: Emperor Zhao (Chinese: 昭帝; pinyin: Zhāo Dì)
Full: Emperor Xiaozhao (Chinese: 孝昭皇帝; pinyin: Xiàozhāo Huángdì)
Temple name
Zhongzong (Chinese: 中宗; pinyin: Zhōngzōng)
HouseLiu
DynastyHan (Western Han)
FatherEmperor Wu
MotherLady Zhao

Emperor Zhao of Han (Chinese: 漢昭帝; 94 – 5 June 74 BC),[2] born Liu Fuling (劉弗陵), was the eighth emperor of the Han dynasty from 87 to 74 BC. Emperor Zhao was the youngest son of Emperor Wu.

By the time he was born, Emperor Wu was already 62. Prince Fuling ascended the throne after the death of Emperor Wu in 87 BC. He was only eight years old (by East Asian reckoning). Huo Guang served as regent.

Emperor Wu's long reign left the Han Dynasty greatly expanded; however constant warfare had depleted the empire's coffers. Emperor Zhao, under the tutelage of Huo, took the initiative and lowered taxes as well as reducing government spending. As a result, citizens prospered and the Han Dynasty enjoyed an era of peace. Emperor Zhao died after reigning for 13 years, at the age of 20. He was succeeded by Liu He, Prince of Changyi.

  1. ^ wuchen day of the 2nd month of the 2nd year of the Hou'yuan era, per Emperor Zhao's biography in Book of Han
  2. ^ guiwei day of the 4th month of the 1st year of the Yuan'ping era, per Emperor Zhao's biography in Book of Han

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