Antiquity

Xiongnu

Period
208 BC – AD 153
Duration
approx. 360 years
Greatest extent
around 144 BC
Area (max.)
approx. 5.6 million km²
Xiongnu at its greatest extent (around 144 BC) · Borders: Cliopatria
▶ View on the interactive map

Profile

Strength

A nomad cavalry confederation of mounted archers; forced China to pay tribute for decades.

Famous figures

  • Touman
  • Modu Chanyu
  • Laoshang Chanyu
  • Huhanye
  • Zhizhi

Wars & battles won

  • Battle of Baideng (200 BC)
  • Subjugation of the Donghu and Yuezhi (c. 209–174 BC)

Wars & battles lost

  • Han–Xiongnu War (133 BC–AD 89)
  • Battle of Zhizhi (36 BC)

Languages

Language uncertain (Turkic, Mongolic or Yeniseian debated)

Period and duration

Xiongnu — according to the map data from 208 BC to AD 153, roughly 360 years. The dates refer to the time the empire is drawn as its own territory on the world map; historians sometimes date its founding and end differently.

Greatest extent

Xiongnu — greatest extent around 144 BC: the mapped borders then cover about 5.6 million km², roughly 3.8% of Earth's land area. The area is calculated from the border lines of the map and is therefore an approximation.

208 BCArea according to the map data (max. 5.6 million km²)AD 153

Predecessors and successors

States that ruled the same territory directly before and after:

Before (209 BC)

After

Neighbours around 144 BC

The largest states in the region at the same time:

Learn more

Borders and dates: Cliopatria / Seshat Global History Databank (CC BY 4.0). Coastlines: Natural Earth. Text: Centaurian.