Xiongnu Empire

Xiongnu Empire was an empire in Mongolian plateau (Central and North Asia) that lasted from c. 209 BCE to 93 CE, about 301 years. Its people spoke Unknown or undeciphered languages (Indus, Minoan, Moche, Nazca, Chavin, Jomon and other unattested languages).

The first great steppe empire, founded by Modu Chanyu. It forced Han China to pay tribute for decades until the Han struck back; it split in 48 CE, and the Xianbei destroyed the northern Xiongnu by 93.

See Xiongnu Empire on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates

c. 209 BCE to 93 CE

Duration

301 years

Type

Empire

Region

Mongolian plateau, Central and North Asia

Language family

Unknown or undeciphered

Capital

Longcheng (mobile court)

Came from

• Donghu c. 700 to 209 BCE

Became

• Xianbei state c. 93 to 234 CE

Events in Central and North Asia during its time

• 138 BCE Zhang Qian travels west

Neighbours in Central and North Asia

• Sogdiana c. 545 BCE to 722 CE
• Kingdom of Khotan c. 200 BCE to 1006 CE
• Kushan Empire c. 30 to 375 CE
• Xianbei state c. 93 to 234 CE
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom c. 256 to 125 BCE
• Kingdom of Kucha c. 100 BCE to 840 CE
• Ancient Chorasmia c. 600 BCE to 305 CE
• Kangju c. 200 BCE to 450 CE
• Jushi kingdom c. 200 BCE to 450 CE
• Loulan (Shanshan) c. 176 BCE to 445 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

• Carthage c. 814 to 146 BCE, North and West Africa
• Teotihuacan c. 100 BCE to 550 CE, Mesoamerica and Caribbean
• Roman Republic 509 to 27 BCE, Europe
• Parthian Empire 247 BCE to 224 CE, Middle East
• Roman Empire 27 BCE to 395 CE, Europe
• Kushan Empire c. 30 to 375 CE, South Asia
• Ptolemaic Kingdom 305 to 30 BCE, North and West Africa
• Western Han 202 BCE to 9 CE, East Asia
• Eastern Han 25 to 220 CE, East Asia
• Maurya Empire 322 to 185 BCE, South Asia

Questions