Ladies of the Court of Emperor Huan of Han

Abstract

Emperor Huan of the Later Han dynasty, born in 132, came to the throne in 146 under the regency of the Empress-Dowager Liang Na 1g and her brother Liang Ji 1g>,. The Dowager died in 150, but the young emperor continued under the tutelage of the Liang clan through his Empress Liang Nüying 1g$k6w, who had been married to him soon after his accession. When the Empress Liang died in 159, however, Emperor Huan, aided by his eunuch attendants, killed Liang Ji and took power for himself. After eight years of personal rule, he died in the winter of 167/168. <p> The biographies below deal with a number of the woman at the court of Emperor Huan, whose harem was celebrated and widely criticised.