China:Han dynasty despot seen by archaeologists

In Luoyang (Henan, China), view of the excavations of the city, which was the capital of the Eastern Han and where the tomb of Emperor Liu Zhi is located • IMAGINECHINA VIA AFP

An unsympathetic character emerges from oblivion in China with the discovery of his tomb. This is Liu Zhi, eleventh emperor of the Eastern Han dynasty, who reigned from 146 to 168 AD. AD and was also known as Emperor Huandi.

His mausoleum, a stone complex covered with a mound of earth, was discovered in Luoyang, Henan province. Chinese archaeologists who have worked for many years on this site had from the beginning hypothesized that it was the tomb of Liu Zhi, because ancient texts reported its location. The discovery, during the last excavations, of an artefact bearing an inscription confirms the hypothesis.

This seal indeed contains the name of Liu Hong, who reigned after Liu Zhi and who built a mausoleum for his predecessor. Wang Xianqiu of the Cultural and Archaeological Relics Research Institute of Luoyang City, who is leading the excavation of the mausoleum, is now convinced that it is indeed the tomb of Liu Zhi.

A bloodthirsty reign

This emperor left the image of a bloodthirsty despot, ruling China in a period of conflict where famines and rebellions were frequent. The emperor responded to problems with bloody repression, killing his palace officials. Records indicate that in 159 he had Liang Ji, a soldier who had helped him rise to power, assassinated. In 166, students wanting to enter the civil service demonstrated against him, but were arrested.

On the other hand, Liu Zhi loved women:he was lent more than 5,000 concubines, living in his harem – which was expensive for the country. A man applying for a job at the palace had written to him:“I have heard that there are five or six thousand concubines in your harem […]. Innocent people are beset by the taxes necessary to employ these useless women. »

Liu Zhi died in 168, at the age of 36, possibly murdered. The Eastern Han dynasty died out in 220 with the abdication of its last emperor.