Image: Story of Jin Midi
Description: The story of Jin Midi. Wu Liang Shrine, Jiaxiang, Shandong. 2nd century AD. Ink rubbings derived from stone-carved reliefs as represented in Feng Yunpeng and Feng Yunyuan, Jinshi suo (1824 edition), n.p. Jin Midi 金日磾 (lived 134–86 BC) was born a prince of the nomadic Xiongnu, a confederation of Central Asian tribes that once dominated the eastern Eurasian Steppe. He was captured by Han-dynasty Chinese forces and made a slave who tended horses in imperial stables. However, he gained the trust of Emperor Wu when he thwarted an assassination attempt against him. When Emperor Wu lay dying at his bedside, he designated Jin Midi, Huo Guang, and Shangguan Jie as regents to rule over his Liu Fuling, then crown prince and later Emperor Zhao of Han. Jin Midi thus became one of the top officials in central government.
Title: Story of Jin Midi
Credit: Lillian Lan-Ying Tseng's "Mediums and Messages: The Wu Family Shrines and Cultural Production in Qing China," in Rethinking Recarving China's Past: Ideals, Practices and Problems of the "Wu Family Shrines" and Han China (London and New Haven: Yale University Press and Princeton University Art Museum, 2008), page 279.
Author: Unknown authorUnknown author
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No
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