Xin Dynasty: Map & History
Xin Dynasty is mapped in the atlas for 6 CE – 29 CE, with a peak mapped extent of about 4,465,527 km².
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The Xin dynasty, also known as Xin Mang (新莽) in Chinese historiography, was a short-lived Chinese imperial dynasty which lasted from 9 to 23 AD, established by the Han dynasty consort kin Wang Mang, who usurped the throne of the Emperor Ping of Han and the infant "crown prince" Liu Ying. The Xin dynasty ruled for over a decade before it was overthrown by rebels. After Wang's death, the Han dynasty was restored by Liu Xiu, a distant descendant of the Emperor Jing of Han; therefore, the Xin dynasty is often considered an interregnum of the Han, dividing it into the Western Han and the Eastern Han.
Modern Countries Once Part of Xin Dynasty
At its mapped extent, Xin Dynasty covered territory in 5 present-day countries. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
- Hong Kong S.A.R.6–29 CE · nearly all
- Macau S.A.R6–29 CE · nearly all
- China6–29 CE · most
- North Korea6–22 CE · a large part
- Vietnam6–29 CE · a large part
States and Provinces
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Xin 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.
Xin Dynasty in Depth
History
After the death of Emperor Wu of Han, the ruling Liu family was increasingly beset by factional struggles. As result, the power of the imperial clan declined. In contrast, the Wang family grew powerful during the rule of Emperor Cheng of Han, and its leading member Wang Mang used his influence to act as regent for several young puppet emperors.
In contrast to other Wang family members who were content to rule the empire by influencing the Han emperors, Wang Mang had greater ambitions. He embarked on a programme of building and learning, creating much positive publicity and propaganda for himself. He openly presented himself as champion of Confucian virtues, and as guiding force of the empire.
Government
Wang Mang implemented several reforms, systematically transforming the government of the Han dynasty based on his understanding of the Confucian classics and what turned out to be his faulty beliefs about the ancient Western Zhou's government system. Sinologist Li Feng described these reforms as "socialist and imperialist combined".
In order to weaken the nobles, strengthen the central government, reform the economy, and improve the peasants' situation, Wang Mang redistributed land from the rich to those who owned nothing, introduced new taxes on slave owning, prohibited the sale of slaves, and implemented limits on how much farmland one family was allowed to own.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Xin dynasty (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Xin Dynasty: Key Facts
| Capital | Chang'an |
|---|---|
| Currency | Xin Dynasty coinage |
| Founded | 9 CE |
| Dissolved | 23 CE |
Succeeded by
- Eastern Han
Facts from Wikidata Q504769 (CC0).
Xin Dynasty Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 4,465,527 km² in 10 CE.
Xin Dynasty: Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Xin Dynasty exist?
The Xin Dynasty is dated to 6 CE – 29 CE, in the Classical Antiquity era.
What was the capital of the Xin Dynasty?
The capital of the Xin Dynasty was Chang'an.
How large was the Xin Dynasty at its peak?
At its peak in 10 AD the Xin Dynasty covered about 4,465,527 km².