The Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE) is the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Qin Dynasty (221–207 BCE) and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms (220–280 CE).
It is founded by the rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu of Han.
It is briefly interrupted by the Xin Dynasty (9–23 CE) of the former regent Wang Mang.
This interregnum separates the Han into two periods: the Western Han (206 BCE – 9 CE) and Eastern Han (25–220 CE).
Spanning over four centuries, the period of the Han Dynasty is considered a golden age in Chinese history.
To this day, China's majority ethnic group refers to itself as the "Han people" and Chinese characters are referred to as "Han characters".
The Han Empire is divided into areas directly controlled by the central government, known as commanderies, and a number of semi-autonomous kingdoms.
These kingdoms gradually lose all vestiges of their independence, particularly following the Rebellion of the Seven States.
The Xiongnu, a nomadic confederation which dominates the eastern Eurasian Steppe, defeats the Han army in battle in 200 BCE.
Following the defeat, a political marriage alliance is negotiated in which the Han become the de facto inferior partner.
When, despite the treaty, the Xiongnu continue to raid Han borders, Emperor Wu of Han (r. 141–87 BCE) launches several military campaigns against them.
The ultimate Han victory in these wars eventually forces the Xiongnu to accept vassal status as Han tributaries.
These campaigns expand Han sovereignty into the Tarim Basin of Central Asia and help establish the vast trade network known as the Silk Road, which reaches as far as the Mediterranean world.
Han forces manage to divide the Xiongnu into two competing nations, the Southern and Northern Xiongnu, and force the Northern Xiongnu across the Ili River.
Despite these victories, the territories north of Han's borders are quickly overrun by the nomadic Xianbei Confederation.The Han Dynasty is an age of economic prosperity and sees 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 BCE remains the standard coinage of China until the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE).
