The Xin Dynasty (literally "New Dynasty") is a Chinese dynasty (although strictly speaking it has only one emperor) that lasts from CE 9 to 23.
It follows the Western Han Dynasty and precedes the Eastern Han Dynasty.The sole emperor of the Xin Dynasty, Wang Mang, is the nephew of Grand Empress Dowager Wang Zhengjun.
After the death of her step-grandson Emperor Ai in 1 BCE, Wang Mang rises to power.
After several years of cultivating a personality cult, he finally proclaims himself emperor in CE 9.
However, while a creative scholar and politician, he is an incompetent ruler, and his capital Chang'an is besieged by peasant rebels in CE 23.
He dies in the siege, and the Han Dynasty is restored by descendants of the former imperial clan.
