Emperor Guangwu of Han

Reign: 25 – 57
Life: 4 BCE–57

Through the Eastern Han's suppression and conquest of regional warlords, the dynasty's rule over the whole of China proper was consolidated by the time of Emperor Guangwu's death in AD 57. During his reign, Taoism was made the official religion of the Eastern Han, and the Chinese folk religion began to decline. Following the usurpation of the throne by Wang Mang and the ensuing civil war during the disintegration of Wang's Xin dynasty, he emerged as one of several descendants of the fallen dynasty claiming the imperial throne. After assembling forces and proclaiming himself emperor in the face of competitors, he was able to defeat his rivals, destroy the peasant army of the Chimei, known for their disorganization and marauding, and finally reunify China in AD 36. He established his capital in Luoyang, 335 kilometers (208 mi) east of the former capital Chang'an (modern Xi'an), ushering in the Eastern Han (Later Han) dynasty. His reforms gave a new 200-year lease of life to the Han dynasty.

During Emperor Guangwu of Han's reign, Emperor Suinin ruled Japan, Saint Peter ruled Papacy, and Claudius ruled Rome.

Further reading: The Cambridge History of China, Vol. 1 by Denis Twitchett & Michael Loewe

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Emperor Guangwu of Han

The World During Their Reign

Meanwhile in history

Further Reading

The Cambridge History of China, Vol. 1