HIST 4618 Lecture 2: Liao Dynasty
17 Feb 2019
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Document Summary
The liao dynasty was not originally a chinese dynasty. The liao dynasty also emerged after the fall of the tang dynasty. The original liao rulers were from the khitan tribe. The khitan were known for their excellent hunting skills. Liao began the rise of the nomadic empires. They adopted the chinese ruling style into their culture but never abandoned their roots. Abaoji was the founder of the liao dynasty and the khitan state. In 907, he became the khitan supreme ruler. What made abaoji a unique ruler was that he adopted the chinese style of ruling while staying true to his khitan roots. He referred to himself as the heavenly emperor to show he"ll rule in the chinese style. The khitan klan rulers were elected by tribal leaders every 3 years. But in the chinese style of ruling, the emperor never has to relinquish his power and can pass it on to his successor after he dies.
