Posthumous Song dynasty depiction of Emperor Wen, detail from the hanging scroll, Refusing the Seat
Emperor of the Han dynasty
Reign
14 November 180 – 6 July 157 BC
Predecessor
Emperor Houshao (Under Empress Lü's regency)
Successor
Emperor Jing
Born
Liu Heng (劉恆) 203/02 BC Chang'an, Han dynasty
Died
6 July 157 BC (aged 46) Chang'an, Han dynasty
Burial
Ba Mausoleum [zh] (霸陵)
Consorts
Lady Lü
Empress Xiaowen
Consort Shen
Issue
Emperor Jing of Han
Liu Wu, Prince Xiao of Liang
Liu Can, Prince Xiao of Dai
Liu Yi, Prince Huai of Liang
four unnamed sons
Eldest Princess Guantao
Princess Changping
Era dates
Qíanyuán (前元) 179–164 BC
Hòuyuán (後元) 163–156 BC
Posthumous name
Short: Emperor Wen (文帝) 'Illustrious Emperor'[1]
Full: Emperor Xiaowen (孝文皇帝)
Temple name
Taizong (太宗)[2]
House
Liu
Dynasty
Han (Western Han)
Father
Emperor Gaozu
Mother
Empress Gao
Emperor Wen of Han (Chinese: 漢文帝; 203/02 – 6 July 157 BC), personal name Liu Heng (劉恆), was the fifth emperor of the Han dynasty from 180 until his death in 157 BC. The son of Emperor Gao and Consort Bo, his reign provided a much needed stability within the ruling Liu clan after the unstable and violent regency of Empress Lü, who went after numerous members of the clan. The prosperous reigns of Emperor Wen and his son Emperor Jing are highly regarded by historians,[1] being referred to as the Rule of Wen and Jing.
When Emperor Gaozu suppressed the rebellion of Dai (代), he made Liu Heng Prince of Dai. Since Emperor Gaozu's death, power had been in the hands of his wife, Empress Lü, the empress dowager. After Empress Lü's death, the officials eliminated the powerful Lü clan, and deliberately chose the Prince of Dai as the emperor, since his mother, Consort Bo, had no powerful relatives, and her family was known for its humility and thoughtfulness.
Emperor Wen's reign brought a much needed political stability that laid the groundwork for prosperity under his grandson Emperor Wu. According to historians, Emperor Wen trusted and consulted with ministers on state affairs; under the influence of his Taoist wife, Empress Dou, the emperor also sought to avoid wasteful expenditures. Historians note that the tax rates were at a ratio of "1 out of 30" and "1 out of 60", corresponding to 3.33% and 1.67%, respectively. (These rates are not for income taxes, but property taxes, as the only ancient Chinese attempt to levy an income tax would come in the time of Wang Mang.) Warehouses were so full of grain that some of it was left to decay.
^ abPaludan 1998, p. 33.
^Britannica 2016.
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