Huan of Han

Emperor Huan of Han (132–168) is an emperor of the Chinese Han Dynasty.

He is a great-grandson of Emperor Zhang.

After Emperor Zhi is poisoned to death by the powerful official Liang Ji in 146, Liang Ji persuades his sister, the regent Empress Dowager Liang,to make the 14-year-old Liu Zhi, the Marquess of Liwu, who is betrothed to their sister Liang Nüying, emperor.

As the years pass, Emperor Huan, offended by Liang Ji's autocratic and violent nature, becomes determined to eliminate the Liang family with the help of eunuchs.

Emperor Huan succeeds in removing Liang Ji in 159 but this only serves to increase the influence of the eunuchs over all aspects of government.

Corruption during this period reaches a boiling point and in 166 university students rise up in protest against the government and call on Emperor Huan to eliminate all corrupt officials.

Instead of listening, Emperor Huan orders the arrest of all students involved.

Emperor Huan has largely been viewed as an emperor who might have been intelligent but lacked wisdom in governing his empire, and his reign contributes greatly to the downfall of the Eastern Han Dynasty.

Hou Hanshu (History of the Later Han) recounts 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 dies at 36 in 168 after reigning for 22 years.

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