HSUAN TI

died 49/48 BC, China Pinyin Xuan Di, (posthumous name, or shih), personal name (WadeGiles romanization) Liu Hsun, or Liu Ping-chi eighth emperor (reigned 7449/48) of the Han dynasty, who ascended the throne when the designated heir apparent behaved indecorously during mourning ceremonies for his father. Hsan strove to abate the harshness and widespread corruption that had marked the preceding two reigns. Under him the Han dynasty probably attained its greatest prosperity. Even the Hsiung-nu tribes on the northwest frontiers, who had been warring with China for more than two centuries, were persuaded to cease their raids during his reign. He was succeeded by his son Yan Ti (reigned 49/4833).