Emperor Huan of Han, ch. 漢桓帝, py. hàn húan dì, wg. Han Huan-ti, (132–168) was an emperor of the Chinese Han Dynasty. He was a great-grandson of Emperor Zhang.
After Emperor Zhi was poisoned to death by the powerful official Liang Ji in 146, Liang Ji persuaded his sister, the regent Empress Dowager Liang to make the 14-year-old Liu Zhi, the Marquess of Liwu, who was betrothed to their sister Liang Nüying (梁女瑩), emperor. As the years went by, Emperor Huan, offended by Liang Ji's autocratic and violent nature, became determined to eliminate the Liang family with the help of eunuchs. Emperor Huan succeeded in removing Liang Ji in 159 but this only caused to increase the influence of the eunuchs over all aspect of government. Corruption during this period had reached a boiling point and in 166 university students rose up in protest against the government and called on Emperor Huan to eliminate all corrupt officials. Instead of listening, Emperor Huan ordered the arrest of all students involved. In all, Emperor Huan has largely been viewed as an emperor who might have had some intelligence but lacked wisdom in governing his empire, and his reign contributed greatly to the downfall of the Eastern Han Dynasty.
Hou Hanshu (History of the Later Han) recounted that one Roman envoy (perhaps sent by emperor Marcus Aurelius) reached the Chinese capital Luoyang in 166 and was greeted by Emperor Huan.
Emperor Huan died in 168 after reigning for 22 years. He was 36.
Read more about Emperor Huan Of Han: Family Background and Ascension, Early Reign: Under Liang Ji's Shadow, Coup D'etat Against Liang Ji, Late Reign: Empowerment of The Eunuchs, Era Names, Personal Information
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