Zhizhi Chanyu

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Zhizhi Chanyu (Chinese: 郅支單于, Russian: Шаньюй Чжичжи or Чжичжи-хан, Wade-Giles: Chihchih) (d.36 BC), was a chanyu of Xiongnu who lived in the 1st-century BC. His original name was Luanti Hutuwusi, one of the Worthy Prince of the East. After the death of the former chanyu in 60 BC, the upper stratum of Xiongnu were in chaos caused by war. In 56 BC, Hutuwusi rose against his elder brother Jihoushan or Huhanye Chanyu (the legitimate chanyu), and rest of the three chanyus by proclaiming himself as Zhizhi Guduhou Chanyu (full title) in the east. By 54 BC, Zhizhi Chanyu won over most of Mongolian steppe, forcing Huhanye to move south. With the help of Han Dynasty, Huhanye regained power over Mongolia and Zhizhi fled west to Kangju with a spare army that numbered 3,000 men by the time he got there.

With the help of Zhizhi, Kangju organized a successful raid against Wusun. Zhizhi then compeled Kangju to build a fortress in Talas valley, near modern day Taraz and where he established his own state "Zhizhi," also known in the west as Western Xiongnu.

In 42 BC, when a Chinese emissary named Gu Ji reached Zhizhi's court, he was executed by him.

Zhizhi was killed in the Battle of Zhizhi in 36 BC as he was defending his fortress against a Han expedition.

[edit] See also