Dealing with Disempowered or Deceased Regent Dowagers during the Later Han-Dynasty

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Abstract

When a regency came to an end during the Later Han-Dynasty (25–220 CE), a deficit inherent in female rule at that time became apparent. Not only did none of the regent dowagers manage to pass on formal rule to a relative, but it is also striking that the connection of an emperor to the relatives of his already deceased empress dowager was not valued overall. Indeed, in the aftermath of the regency periods, relatives of all six regent dowagers eventually died by execution or forced suicide. Nevertheless, how the emperor and the staff of officials dealt with an empress dowager who had been removed from her regency position during her lifetime or who had recently passed away varied significantly. There is no doubt that the authority of an empress dowager in the Later Han-Dynasty was heavily reliant on her relationship toward the emperor. After the end of a regency, the extent to which the relationship between emperor and empress dowager should be evaluated as that of a son to his mother was the subject of debate on several occasions, forming the basis of decisions ultimately made by the emperor. Focusing on the discussions recorded in the Hou Han shu 後漢書 and the Hou Han ji 後漢紀, this paper argues that the treatment of a disempowered empress dowager depended largely on the extent to which she was recognized as the emperor's (step)mother.

Speakers from the University of Münster

Brosch, Alexander

Professur für Sinologie (Prof. Emmerich)