Overview
This lecture traces the fate of the Xiongnu Empire after their wars with the Han Dynasty, explaining how their remnants may have migrated west to become the Huns that later threatened Rome.
The Xiongnu and Early Chinese Dynasties
- The Xiongnu were a confederacy of nomadic tribes north of early China.
- Qin Shi Huang's unification of China pushed the Xiongnu northward.
- Under Modu Chanyu, the Xiongnu became a dominant power in the steppes.
- Han Dynasty was forced into the Heqing Treaty, paying tributes and marrying princesses to the Xiongnu.
Rise and Fall of the Xiongnu Empire
- The Xiongnu, funded by Han tributes, expanded and absorbed other tribes, becoming the world’s largest empire at the time.
- The Xiongnu were a loose confederacy, which made controlling all raids into Han territory difficult.
- Han Wudi stopped the Heqing Treaty and launched successful campaigns, weakening the Xiongnu.
- Succession crises led to the Xiongnu splitting into Northern and Southern factions.
Southern and Northern Xiongnu: Divergent Fates
- Southern Xiongnu allied with Han and other tribes to defeat the Northern Xiongnu.
- After defeat, Southern Xiongnu were resettled within China's frontiers and gradually assimilated.
- During China’s instability, Xiongnu groups established their own short-lived kingdoms, notably Han Zhao.
- Ultimately, the Southern Xiongnu were conquered by the Xianbei’s Toba tribe and lost their distinct identity.
Northern Xiongnu Migration Westward
- The fate of the Northern Xiongnu is less clear, but evidence suggests westward migration.
- Name similarities and archaeological finds (e.g., bronze cauldrons) support a link to later groups like the Huns.
- Some Northern Xiongnu became the Yueban in Central Asia; others became Iranian Huns or European Huns.
The European Huns
- The European Huns migrated west, overwhelming other tribes like the Alans and Goths in the 370s CE.
- The Huns conquered Scythia and Germania before confronting the Roman Empire.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Xiongnu — A confederation of nomadic tribes in northern China and Central Asia.
- Heqing Treaty — An agreement requiring Han China to pay tribute and offer princesses to the Xiongnu.
- Chanyu — Title of the supreme leader of the Xiongnu.
- Han Zhao — A kingdom founded by a branch of the Southern Xiongnu, also known as Former Zhao.
- Xianbei — Another major nomadic confederacy that eventually absorbed the Xiongnu.
- European Huns — Nomadic group believed to have descended from westward-migrating Northern Xiongnu.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Prepare for the next lecture on the Sui Dynasty, precursor to the Tang Dynasty.