Modu Chanyu

Mao Tun Mao - dun or written interpretation, according to the Chinese tradition of the name冒顿Ma - To ( * 234 BC; † 174 BC) was ruler (title: Chanyu ) of the tribal federation of the Xiongnu of 209 v. BC until his death. Mao tuns life is narrated exclusively in sources of warring Chinese as well as the name, his own name used is unknown.

Life

Mao tuns Father Tu- men Tengriqut ( T'ou -man; reg 240-209 BC. ) The previously feuding Xiongnu tribes had in the last decades of the third century for the first time united in a loose federation. 209 BC succeeded by his son Mao Tun in office. The Chinese sources throw Mao Tun claims to have overthrown and murdered his father in a bloody revolt.

Mao Tun allegedly created a tightly organized court and a powerful army, with which he could exploit to major territorial gains the turmoil in the Chinese Empire at the end of the Qin Dynasty. He conquered the Ordos Plateau with headwaters and the upper reaches of the Yellow River and the eastern sections of Qin Shi Huangdi under from 214 BC built the Great Wall and subjugated the Kingdom of Chu. In the Mongolian steppe, he extended his rule to the Selenga, according to the Kyrgyz southern Siberia, to Dzungaria and in the west to the borders of Turkestan from.

Mao Tun took in 200 BC during a campaign almost Han Gaozu, the first emperor of the Han dynasty captured, who had placed himself at the head of his army, which was considered particularly dangerous because of its modern chariot. The Xiongnu defeated the numerically far superior Chinese army thanks to their lightweight and manoeuvrable cavalry and could of China demand in the wake tribute. The tribute included that from now on each Xiongnu ruler was an imperial princess. In addition, an annual tribute of food and silk was promised; for the rulers of the Xiongnu should avoid forays into the Chinese Empire.

Mao Tun married a high-ranking Chinese woman, possibly a daughter Han Gaozu, and after the death of the Emperor, he wooed his widow. Despite the family connections and the tribute payments, the Xiongnu invaded each year in Chinese territory, and plundered some settlements. Besides food Chinese silk was the preferred commodity.

In addition, Mao Tun defeated the Donghu in the Manchurian border area and divided the eastern Mongolia to (up to 190 BC). Most recently, he boasted to have subjected the Yuezhi in Gansu today, as is the Wusun ( to 176 BC).

Under Emperor Han Wendi China began 177 BC with the new large-scale negotiations, which continued even after the death of Mao - tuns when his son Laosheng ( BC Kayuk, Ki -ok † 161) took power of the Xiongnu.

Trivia

The army of the Turkish Armed Forces bears a symbolic foundation date the year 209 BC on their emblem, and thus refer to the army reform Mao - tuns. Furthermore, the name Mao Tun as Mete and Tu- men as Teoman popular Turkish name.