Emperor Cheng of Han

Also known as Liu Ao

Liu Ao, Emperor Cheng of Han, was the eldest son of Emperor Yuan and Wang Zhengjun; born in 51 BC, he came to the throne in 33 BC, using seven reign titles from Jianshi to Suihe. He made his uncle Wang Feng commander-in-chief and in 27 BC enfeoffed five more uncles on one day, the 'Five Marquises' whose family came to dominate the court. In 26 BC he set Liu Xiang to collate the palace library and sent Chen Nong to collect lost books. He deposed Empress Xu in 18 BC and in 16 BC made Zhao Feiyan empress, with her sister Zhao Hede as a favoured consort; the Book of Han (Hanshu) says Hede had the sons of other palace women killed. He died suddenly in the Weiyang Palace in 7 BC and was succeeded by his nephew Liu Xin. Ban Gu's verdict praises his dignity on the throne but blames his self-indulgence for the Zhao sisters' hold on the palace and his uncles' grip on government.