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The Han Dynasty

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The Han Dynasty The Han Dynasty The Han dynasty was the second imperial dynasty of China (206 BCE–220 CE), preceded by the Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE) and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms period (220–280 CE). Spanning over four centuries, the Han period is considered a golden age in Chinese history. It was founded by the rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu of Han, and briefly interrupted by the Xin dynasty (9–23 AD) of the former regent Wang Mang. This interregnum separates the Han dynasty into two periods: the Western Han or Former Han (206 BCE – 9 CE) and the Eastern Han or Later Han (25–220 CE). The emperor was at the pinnacle of Han society. He presided over the Han government but shared power with both the nobility and appointed ministers who came largely from the scholarly gentry class. The Han Empire was divided into areas directly controlled by the central government using an innovation inherited from the Qin known as commanderies, and a number of semi-autonomous kingdoms. These kingdoms gradually lost all vestiges of their independence, particularly following the Rebellion of the Seven States. The Han dynasty was an age of economic prosperity and saw a significant growth of the money economy first established during the Zhou dynasty(c. 1050–256 BCE). The coinage issued by the central government mint in 119 BC remained the standard coinage of China until the Tang dynasty(618–907 CE). The Xiongnu, a nomadic steppe confederation, defeated the Han in 200 BCE and forced the Han to submit as a de facto inferior partner, but continued their raids on the Han borders. Emperor Wu of Han (r. 141–87 BCE) launched several military campaigns against them. The ultimate Han victory in these wars eventually forced the Xiongnu to accept vassal status as Han tributaries. These campaigns expanded Han sovereignty into the Tarim Basin of Central Asia, divided the Xiongnu into two separate confederations, and helped establish the vast trade network known as the Silk Road, which reached as far as the Mediterranean world. The territories north of Han's borders were quickly overrun by the nomadic Xianbei confederation. Emperor Wu also launched successful military expeditions in the south, annexing Nanyue in 111 BCE and Dian in 109 BCE, and in the Korean Peninsula where the Xuantu and Lelang Commanderies were established in 108 BCE. After 92 CE, the palace eunuchs increasingly involved themselves in court politics, engaging in violent power struggles between the various consort clans of the empresses and empresses dowager, causing the Han's ultimate downfall. Imperial authority was also seriously challenged by large Daoist religious societies which instigated the Yellow Turban Rebellion and the Five Pecks of Rice Rebellion. Following the death of Emperor Ling (r. 168–189 CE), the palace eunuchs suffered wholesale massacre by military officers, allowing members of the aristocracy and military governors to become warlords and divide the empire. When Cao Pi, King of Wei, usurped the throne from Emperor Xian, the Han dynasty ceased to exist. At the beginning of the Han dynasty, every male commoner aged twenty-three was liable for conscription into the military. The minimum age for the military draft was reduced to twenty after Emperor Zhao's (87–74 BCE) reign. Conscripted soldiers underwent one year of training and one year of service as non-professional soldiers. The year of training was served in one of three branches of the armed forces: infantry, cavalry or navy.[198] The year of active service was served either on the frontier, in a king's court or under the Minister of the Guards in the capital. A small professional (paid) standing army was stationed near the capital. During the Eastern Han, conscription could be avoided if one paid a commutable tax. The Eastern Han court favored the recruitment of a volunteer army.The volunteer army comprised the Southern Army (Nanjun 南軍), while the standing army stationed in and near the capital was the Northern Army (Beijun 北軍). Led by Colonels, the Northern Army consisted of five regiments, each composed of several thousand soldiers. When central authority collapsed after 189 AD, wealthy landowners, members of the aristocracy/nobility, and regional military-governors relied upon their retainers to act as their own personal troops During times of war, the volunteer army was increased, and a much larger militia was raised across the country to supplement the Northern Army. In these circumstances, a General (Jiangjun 將軍) led a division, which was divided into regiments led by Colonels and sometimes Majors (Sima 司⾺). Regiments were divided into companies and led by Captains. With the accession of James the Sixth of Scotland to the English throne the wars died out in 1603. Chang'’an Western Han Army Commander 1 Any Professional Dates 206 BCE – 9 CE Sub-Generals 1-3 Any Professional TERRAIN Coastal, Mountains, Forest Internal allied General 0-1 Any Professional Camp Unfortified or Fortified :Poor or Average WEAPONRY Characteristics Min Name Type Quality Shooting Protection UG Size MELEE Mandatory Optional Max Standing Army - Beijun 北軍 Battle Chariots, only Battle Chariot Experienced Light Spear - - 0 Average Protected 4,6 before 100BC Formed Loose Crossbow - - - 6 Cavalry Experienced Light Spear Shoot and Charge Melee Expert 0 Heavy Cavalry Average Protected 4,6 Drilled Loose Crossbow - - Dismountable 16 Nu - Best Missile Infantry Experienced - - Combat Shy 0 Average Protected 6,8 Troops Drilled Loose Crossbow - - Caltrops 16 Infantry - Polearm - Combat Shy 0 Ji - Best Close Fighters Average Protected 6,8 Drilled Flexible - - - Caltrops 16 Infantry - Polearm - Combat Shy 0 Average Protected Combined Best Drilled Flexible - - - Caltrops 8 6,9 infantry * Infantry Experienced - - Combat Shy 0 Average Protected Drilled Loose Crossbow - - Caltrops 16 Conscripted army - Nanjun 南軍 Cavalry Experienced Light Spear Shoot and Charge Melee Expert 4 Heavy Cavalry Average Protected 4,6 Formed Flexible Crossbow - - Dismountable 16 Nu - Conscript Missile Infantry Experienced - Combat Shy - 12** Average Protected 6,8 Troops Formed Loose Crossbow - - - 24 Ji - Conscript Close Infantry - Polearm - Combat Shy 6** Average Protected 6,8 Fighters Formed Flexible - - - - 24 Infantry - Polearm - Combat Shy 0 Average Protected Combined Conscript Drilled Flexible - - - Caltrops 12 6,9 infantry * Infantry Experienced - Combat Shy - 0 Average Protected Drilled Loose Crossbow - - Caltrops 24 WEAPONRY Characteristics Min Name Type Quality Shooting Protection UG Size MELEE Mandatory Optional Max Mao Conscript Close Infantry - Long Spear - Combat Shy 0 Average Protected 6,8 Fighters Formed Flexible - - - - 8 Yan Conscript Close Infantry - Light Spear - Combat Shy 0 Average Protected 6,8 Fighters Formed Flexible - - - - 8 Optional Troops Cavalry Experienced - - - 0 Horse Archers Average Protected 4,6 Formed Flexible Bow - - - 18 Dependant State Cavalry Experienced Light Spear - Melee Expert 0 Average Unprotected 4,6 Cavalry Formed Flexible Bow - - - 12 Infantry - - - Combat Shy 0 Convict Labour troops Average Unprotected 8,9,10 Tribal Loose - - - - 10 Artillery Experienced - - - 0 Bolt Shooters Average Unprotected 2,4 Formed Loose Light Artillery - - - 4 Artillery Experienced - - - 0 Stone Throwers Average Unprotected 2,3 Formed Loose Light Artillery - - - 3 Infantry Experienced - - Combat Shy 0 Archers Average Unprotected 6,8,9 Skirmisher Bow - - - 18 NOTES *Han Combined infantry TuGs consist of 1 front rank base of Ji (Polearm) armed troops and a 2nd and 3rd ranks of Nu (Crossbowmen). The bases from combined TuGs taken in this way deduct from the minima and maximum of the component troops. ** Mimimum only applies if any non- Cavalry bases are used. Luoyang Eastern Han Army Commander 1 Any Professional Dates 25–220 CE Sub-Generals 1-3 Any Professional TERRAIN Coastal, Mountains, Forest Internal allied General 0-1 Any Professional Camp Unfortified or Fortified :Poor or Average WEAPONRY Characteristics Min Name Type Quality Shooting Protection UG Size MELEE Mandatory Optional Max Standing Army - Beijun 北軍 Cavalry Experienced Light Spear Shoot and Charge Melee Expert 0 Yueji Guard Cavalry Superior Protected 4,6 Formed Loose Crossbow - - Dismountable 12 Infantry Skilled - - - 0 Shesheng Average Protected 6,8 Drilled Loose Crossbow - - Caltrops 8 Infantry Experienced - - Combat Shy 0 Nu Missile Troops Average Protected 6,8 Drilled Loose Crossbow - - Caltrops 16 Infantry - Polearm - - 0 Fubing Superior Protected 6,8 Drilled Flexible - - - Caltrops 8 Infantry - Polearm - Combat Shy 0 Ji Close Fighters Average Protected 6,8 Drilled Flexible - - - Caltrops 16 Volunteer army Cavalry Experienced Light Spear Shoot and Charge Melee Expert 0 Heavy Cavalry Average Protected 4,6 Formed Flexible Crossbow - - Dismountable 16 Nu - Volunteer Missile Infantry Experienced - Combat Shy - 12* Average Protected 6,8 Troops Formed Loose Crossbow - - - 24 Ji - Volunteer Close Infantry - Polearm - Combat Shy 6* Average Protected 6,8 Fighters Formed Flexible - - - - 24 Mao Volunteer Close Infantry - Long Spear - Combat Shy 0 Average Protected 6,8 Fighters Formed Flexible - - - - 8 Yan Volunteer Close Infantry - Light Spear - Combat Shy 0 Average Protected 6,8 Fighters Formed Flexible - - - - 8 WEAPONRY Characteristics Min Name Type Quality Shooting Protection UG Size MELEE Mandatory Optional Max Optional Troops Cavalry Experienced - - - 0 Horse Archers Average Protected 4,6 Formed Flexible Bow - - - 18 Dependant State Cavalry Experienced Light Spear - Melee Expert 0 Average
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