Battle of Baideng
Mount Baideng, near Pingcheng (present-day Datong), Shanxi, China
What happened
Emperor Gaozu of Han (Liu Bang), founder of the Han dynasty, faced the Xiongnu nomad cavalry led by Modu Chanyu. Xiongnu horsemen surrounded the Han emperor and his vanguard on Mount Baideng, cutting them off from the main army. For seven days the two sides faced each other, and the Han troops ran short of food. Modu Chanyu then opened a gap in the encirclement and let the emperor escape.
Why it matters
Why it matters: Instead of fighting on, the Han court began the heqin policy: making peace through a marriage alliance with the Xiongnu ruler. The Han also set up horse pastures in the north to build a stronger cavalry.
What came next
A woman of the Han royal clan was sent to marry Modu Chanyu. Pingcheng later became the capital of the Northern Wei dynasty (398-494 CE).
Did you know?
Ancient and modern estimates of the Xiongnu army differ hugely: the Book of Han says over 300,000, while one historian estimates 20,000 to 40,000.
Timeline
- 200 BCEThe Han emperor is surrounded at Mount Baideng.
- 200 BCEModu Chanyu lets the emperor escape after seven days.
- After 200 BCEThe Han begin the heqin marriage-alliance policy.
- 398-494Pingcheng (Datong) is the capital of the Northern Wei.