Rebel leader Liu Bang declared himself Emperor Gaozu of Han after overthrowing the Qin dynasty, the first imperial dynasty of China.

Emperor Gaozu of Han

Emperor of the Han dynasty from 202 to 195 BC

Emperor Gaozu of Han, also known by his given name Liu Bang, was the founder and first emperor of the Han dynasty, reigning from 202 to 195 BC.

Qin dynasty

First imperial dynasty in China (230–202 BC)

The Qin dynasty was the first imperial dynasty of China. It is named for its progenitor state of Qin, a fief of the confederal Zhou dynasty. Beginning in 230 BC, the Qin under King Ying Zheng engaged in a series of wars conquering each of the rival states that had previously…

Dynasties of China

For most of its history, China was organized into various dynastic states under the rule of hereditary monarchs. Beginning with the establishment of dynastic rule by Yu the Great c. 2070 BC, and ending with the abdication of the Xuantong Emperor in AD 1912, Chinese…