Antiochus IV of Commagene vs Liu Xiu

Antiochus IV built the monumental tomb-sanctuary on Mount Nemrut, featuring colossal statues of gods and himself. This syncretic monument blended Greek, Persian, and Armenian religious elements.

Antiochus IV provided military support to Rome during the Roman-Parthian War under Emperor Nero. His forces fought alongside Roman legions in Armenia.

Emperor Vespasian deposed Antiochus IV, accusing him of conspiring with the Parthians. Commagene was annexed as a Roman province, ending the kingdom's independence.

After his deposition, Antiochus IV fled to Rome with his family. He lived the remainder of his life in exile, treated with honor by Vespasian.

Liu Xiu led a small force of 3,000 men to relieve the siege of Kunyang against a much larger Xin army. His tactical brilliance and a timely sandstorm led to a decisive victory, breaking the back of Wang Mang's forces and paving the way for the restoration of Han.

Liu Xiu declared himself emperor in Luoyang, restoring the Han dynasty after the fall of Wang Mang's Xin dynasty. He took the reign name Guangwu and began the Eastern Han period, reunifying China under Han rule.

Emperor Guangwu moved the capital from Chang'an to Luoyang, marking the beginning of the Eastern Han dynasty. This shift was strategic, as Luoyang was more defensible and centrally located for controlling the empire.

Emperor Guangwu defeated the Red Eyebrows rebel army, one of the major peasant forces that had risen after Wang Mang's fall. The victory eliminated a key rival and consolidated his control over the central plains.

Emperor Guangwu reduced taxes and forced labor requirements to alleviate the suffering of peasants after decades of war. This policy helped restore agricultural production and stabilize the economy, earning him popular support.

Emperor Guangwu completed the reunification of China by defeating the last independent warlord, Gongsun Shu, in Sichuan. This ended the civil wars that followed Wang Mang's usurpation and restored Han authority over all of China.