Liu Bang (Emperor Gaozu of Han)
256–195 BCE · Chinese (Pei County) · Qin-Han Transition, Ancient China
Known for: Founded the Han Dynasty—from peasant rebel to emperor of China's longest-lasting dynasty
Liu Bang was a minor government official and troublemaker who became one of history's most successful peasant-to-emperor stories. After the Qin Dynasty collapsed following Qin Shi Huang's death, Liu Bang defeated his rival Xiang Yu in a bitter civil war and founded the Han Dynasty—which lasted over 400 years.
He was uneducated, crude, and drank heavily, but possessed extraordinary ability to attract talented advisors and generals. His dynasty gave its name to the ethnic majority of China ('Han Chinese').
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