Emperor Xiao Wudi
Quick facts about Emperor Xiao Wudi
- Emperor Xiao Wudi was born in 448 CE.
- His name at birth was Liu Jun.
- His father was Emperor Wendi.
- After his father, Emporer Wendi’s death in 453 CE, Liu Jun became the fourth emperor of the Liu Song dynasty in 454 CE.
- Xiao Wudi means “Filial Martial Emperor”.
There isn’t much to say about Emperor Xiao Wudi’s reign. The Liu Song dynasty did not make great strides. Additionally, Emperor Xiao Wudi appears to have been drunk during much of his reign,
Emperor Xiao Wudi’s wife was Empress Wang. Upon his death in 464 CE, his brother, Mingdi, succeeded him as emperor of the Liu Song dynasty.
Emperor Mingdi
Quick facts about Emperor Mingdi
- Emperor Mingi was born in 449 CE.
- His name at birth was Liu Yu.
- His father was the Liu Song dynasty emperor, Wendi.
- After his brother, Emporer Xiao Wudi’s death in 464 CE, Liu Yu became the fifth emperor of the Liu Song dynasty in 465 CE.
- Mindgi means “Brilliant Emperor”.
Emperor Mingdi did not believe in Confucianism as his father, Emperor Wendi, but instead, believed in Buddhism. He did not like members of his family and had at least 34 killed by poisoning. He was also enormously fat and he was called “the Pig”.
Emperor Mingdi was forced to abdicate the throne in 472 CE to his adopted son, Cang Wu Wang, who succeeded him as the sixth emperor of the Liu Song dynasty. Emperor Mingdi died in 477 CE.
Emperor Cang Wu Wang
Quick facts about Emperor Cang Wu Wang
- Emperor Cang Wu Wang was born in 471 CE.
- His name at birth was Liu Ye.
- His adopted father was Emperor Mingdi.
- After his father, Emperor Mingdi abdicated the throne in 472 CE, Liu Ye became the sixth emperor of the Liu Song dynasty in 473 CE.
- Cang Wu Wang means “King of Cangwu”.
- Cang Wu Wang was also known as Feidi.
Emperor Cang Wu Wang was a child when he ascended the throne of the Liu Song dynasty.
He was not the nicest of little boys. While one of his ministers was sleeping, Emperor Cang Wu Wang shot arrows at a target painted on the minister. Although the arrows would not have hurt the minister, as they were not sharp, the minister was not happy. He had Emperor Cang Wu Wang murdered.
Upon Emperor Cang Wu Wang’s death in 476 CE, his half-brother, Shundi, succeeded him as the sixth emperor of the Liu Song dynasty.
Emperor Shundi
Quick facts about Emperor Shundi
- Emperor Shundi was born in 464 CE.
- His name at birth was Liu Jun.
- His was Emperor Mingdi.
- After his brother, Emperor Cang Wu Wang died in 476 CE, Liu Jun became the seventh emperor of the Liu Song dynasty in 477 CE.
- Shundi means “Submissive Emperor”.
The most impressive outcome of Emperor Shundi’s short-lived two-year reign was the invention of the stirrup on saddles. This invention gave riders the ability to have more control of horses and allowed more people to be able to ride horses.
Emperor Shundi was murdered in 479 CE and the Liu Song dynasty ceased to exist.
Upon Emperor Shundi’s death in 479 CE, Gaodi, succeeded him as the first emperor of the Qi dynasty.
