Liao Dynasty: Map & History
The Liao dynasty, also known as the Khitan State, officially the Great Liao, was a Khitan-led imperial dynasty of China and empire ruled by the Yelü clan that existed between 916 and 1125.
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The Liao dynasty, also known as the Khitan State, officially the Great Liao, was a Khitan-led imperial dynasty of China and empire ruled by the Yelü clan that existed between 916 and 1125. Founded around the time of the collapse of the Tang dynasty, at its greatest extent it ruled over Manchuria, the Mongolian Plateau, the northern part of the Korean Peninsula, southern portions of Siberia, and the northern tip of the North China Plain.
Modern Countries Once Part of Liao Dynasty
At its mapped extent, Liao Dynasty covered territory in 4 present-day countries. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
- North Korea926–1125 CE · a large part
- Mongolia926–1125 CE · a large part
- China911–1125 CE · a small part
- Russia926–1125 CE · a small part
States and Provinces
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Liao Dynasty's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Liao Dynasty in Depth
History
The earliest reference to a Khitan state is found in the Book of Wei, a history of the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534) that was completed in 554. Several books written after 554 mention the Khitans being active during the late third and early fourth centuries. The Book of Jin (648) mentions the Khitans in the section covering the reign of Murong Sheng (398–401). The Samguk Sagi (1145) mentions a Khitan raid taking place in 378.
It is generally believed that the Khitans emerged from the Yuwen branch of the Xianbei people. Following a defeat at the hands of another branch of the Xianbei in 345, the Yuwen split into three tribes, one of which was called the Kumo Xi. In 388 the Kumo Xi itself split, with one group remaining under the name Kumo Xi and the other group becoming the Khitans.
Government
At its height, the Liao dynasty controlled what is now Shanxi, Hebei, Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, and Inner Mongolia provinces in China, as well as northern portions of the Korean peninsula, portions of the Russian Far East, and much of the country of Mongolia. The peak population is estimated at 750,000 Khitans and two to three million ethnic Han Chinese.
There were two ceremonies for the ascension of Khitan leaders, the Chaice Yi (Recognition Ceremony) and Zaisheng Yi (Rebirth Ceremony). These ceremonies were created during the reign of Zuwu khagan (r. 735–745) when leaders were elected. The Liao dynasty inherited these ceremonies as symbolic rituals for the enthronement of the emperor.
Society and culture
The Khitan language is closely related to the Mongolic language family; some broader definitions of the Mongolic family include Khitan as a member. It is distantly related to the Mongolian language with many loan words from Tungusic languages and Turkic languages.
Prior to their conquest of north China and the establishment of the Liao dynasty, the Khitans had no written language. In 920 the first of two Khitan scripts, the Khitan large script, was developed. A second script, the Khitan small script, was developed in 925. Both scripts are based on the same spoken language, and both contain a mix of logographs and phonographs.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Liao dynasty (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Liao Dynasty: Key Facts
| Capitals | Liaoyang Fu, Zhongjing, Liao Nanjing, Datong Fu |
|---|---|
| Official languages | Khitan, Middle Chinese, Jurchen |
| Form of government | monarchy |
| Founded | 916 CE |
| Dissolved | 1125 |
Preceded by
- Later Jin dynasty
- Jeong-an kingdom
- Heungyo
Succeeded by
- Jin dynasty
- Qara Khitai
- Northern Liao
Facts from Wikidata Q4958 (CC0).
Liao Dynasty Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Liao Dynasty appears, with the other states of the time.
Liao Dynasty Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 1,924,516 km² in 984 CE.
Liao Dynasty: Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Liao Dynasty exist?
The Liao Dynasty is dated to 911 CE – 1125 CE, in the Early Middle Ages era.
What was the capital of the Liao Dynasty?
The capital of the Liao Dynasty was Shangjing.
How large was the Liao Dynasty at its peak?
At its peak in 984 AD the Liao Dynasty covered about 1,924,516 km².
How did the map of the Liao Dynasty change over time?
The Liao Dynasty appears on 2 dated world maps in the atlas, from 1000 CE to 1100 CE. Each shows its borders in that year next to the other states of the time.
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