Emperor Taizu of Later Zhou
Encyclopedia
Emperor Taizu of the Later Zhou Dynasty 後周太祖 (904–954) was born as Guo Wei 郭威. He was a well-educated Chinese who served the Later Han Dynasty
as Assistant Military Commissioner. He founded the Later Zhou Dynasty
in 951.
was founded by a Shatuo Turk by the name of Liu Zhiyuan, posthumously known as Gaozu of Later Han
. Guo Wei was already familiar with life under the Shatuo Turks as he had lived under their rule since he was nineteen years old. He served as the Assistant Military Commissioner to the founder of the Later Han
. However, when a teenager assumed the throne in 948, court intrigue enabled Guo to usurp the throne in a coup and declare himself the founding Emperor of the Later Zhou Dynasty
on New Year’s Day in 951.
Emperor in northern China
since 923. His rule was able and he passed reforms that attempted to relieve pressures on China
’s massive peasantry. However, he died from an illness three years into his reign in 954.
Later Han Dynasty (Five Dynasties)
The Later Han Dynasty was founded in 947. It was the fourth of the Five Dynasties and the third consecutive Shatuo Turk dynasty...
as Assistant Military Commissioner. He founded the Later Zhou Dynasty
Later Zhou Dynasty
The Later Zhou Dynasty was the last a succession of five dynasties that controlled most of northern China during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, which lasted from 907 to 960 and bridged the gap between the Tang Dynasty and the Song Dynasty.-Founding of the Dynasty:Guo Wei, a Han...
in 951.
Service under the Later Han
The Later Han DynastyLater Han Dynasty (Five Dynasties)
The Later Han Dynasty was founded in 947. It was the fourth of the Five Dynasties and the third consecutive Shatuo Turk dynasty...
was founded by a Shatuo Turk by the name of Liu Zhiyuan, posthumously known as Gaozu of Later Han
Gaozu of Later Han
Gaozu of Later Han was the Shatuo Turk founder of the Later Han Dynasty, the fourth of the Five Dynasties in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period of Chinese history. It was also one of the shortest-lived kingdoms in Chinese history, lasting only three years...
. Guo Wei was already familiar with life under the Shatuo Turks as he had lived under their rule since he was nineteen years old. He served as the Assistant Military Commissioner to the founder of the Later Han
Later Han Dynasty (Five Dynasties)
The Later Han Dynasty was founded in 947. It was the fourth of the Five Dynasties and the third consecutive Shatuo Turk dynasty...
. However, when a teenager assumed the throne in 948, court intrigue enabled Guo to usurp the throne in a coup and declare himself the founding Emperor of the Later Zhou Dynasty
Zhou Dynasty
The Zhou Dynasty was a Chinese dynasty that followed the Shang Dynasty and preceded the Qin Dynasty. Although the Zhou Dynasty lasted longer than any other dynasty in Chinese history, the actual political and military control of China by the Ji family lasted only until 771 BC, a period known as...
on New Year’s Day in 951.
Reign
He was the first Han ChineseHan Chinese
Han Chinese are an ethnic group native to China and are the largest single ethnic group in the world.Han Chinese constitute about 92% of the population of the People's Republic of China , 98% of the population of the Republic of China , 78% of the population of Singapore, and about 20% of the...
Emperor in northern China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
since 923. His rule was able and he passed reforms that attempted to relieve pressures on China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
’s massive peasantry. However, he died from an illness three years into his reign in 954.