What Happened This Year 181

Born in 181

Emperor Xian of Han

Emperor of Han dynasty during turmoil
Born
April 2nd, 181 1844 years ago
Died
April 21st, 234 1791 years ago — 53 years old

Ruled as the last emperor of the Eastern Han dynasty, succeeding his adoptive father, Emperor Ling. Ascended the throne at a young age amid political instability. His reign saw the decline of central authority and the rise of powerful eunuchs and warlords. The power struggle led to the eventual dissolution of the Han dynasty. In 189, a coalition of warlords sought to reduce eunuch control, leading to significant internal conflict. In 220, the Han dynasty was effectively ended when Liu Bei declared himself emperor in the southwest, marking the beginning of the Three Kingdoms period. Despite the turbulent times, the reign illustrated the complexities of governance in ancient China.

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