Rouran facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rouran Khaganate
330–555
Rouran Khaganate in Central Asia
Status	Khanate
Capital	Mumo city, Orkhon River, Mongolia
Common languages	Ruanruan Mongolian Chinese
Religion	Tengrism Shamanism Buddhism
Khagan
• 330	Yùjiǔlǘ Mùgǔlǘ
• 555	Yujiulü Dengshuzi
Legislature	Kurultai
History
• Established	330
• Disestablished	555
Area
405	2,800,000 km2 (1,100,000 sq mi)
Preceded by Succeeded by Xianbei state Turkic Khaganate Northern Qi Northern Zhou
Today part of	China Kazakhstan Mongolia Russia

The Rouran (Chinese: 柔然; pinyin: Róurán) ruled northern China during the Sixteen Kingdoms period.

They were either proto-Mongols or Turkic. They spoke the Ruanruan language, an Altaic or Sino–Tibetan language.

They descended from the Xianbei. The Rouran are the first to use the words "khan" or "khagan". The Rouran Khaganate existed between the 4-6 centuries. They were then overthrown by the Gokturks. This led to the rise of the Turkic peoples.

The Rouran may have fled west after that and become part of the Pannonian Avars. The Göktürks chased after these "Avars" into the Byzantine Empire.

Where are they from?

The Rouran were nomads. They lived in the eastern Eurasian Steppe (Mongolia and northeast China). They overthrew the Xianbei. Most Xianbei moved south and lived in Northern China. Kwok Kin Poon argues the Rouran descended from the Donghu Xianbei.

History

The founder of the Rouran Khaganate was Yujiulu Shelun. He descended from slaves of the Xianbei. The Xianbei used the word rouran to mean "wriggling worms".

After the Xianbei moved south in the 3rd century, the Rouran took over and conquered a lot of land.

In 402 Shelun unified all of the Rouran. They defeated the neighboring Tiele and expanded to the Silk Roads. They then conquered and vassalized the Hephthalites (of Central Asia) until 5th century.

The Hepthalites then moved towards India and replaced the Yuezhi in Bactria. The Hephtalites borrowed much culture and language from the Rouran: including the word "Khan".

In 429, Northern Wei (where the Xianbei settled) attacked the Rouran and killed many.

In 434, the Rouran made a heqin with Northern Wei.

Between 440-460, the Northern Wei attacked and defeated the Rouran several times.

The Rouran made a heqin with the Han-Chinese ruler Gao Huan of Eastern Wei.

In 508, the Tiele defeated the Rouran.

In 516, the Rouran defeated the Tiele.

Overthrow by Gokturks

In 551, Bumin of the Ashina Göktürks (Chinese: 突厥) defeated the Tiele revolt for the Rouran. In return Bumin asked for a Rouran princess (heqin). Rouran refused, so Bumin declared independence.

Bumin made a heqin with the Western Wei (descend from Northern Wei). Bumin then attacked the Rouran in 552, killing Yujiulü Anagui. Bumin then conquered Otuken.

He declared himself Illig Khagan and started the Turkic Khaganate. He died soon Bumin but his son Issik Qaghan succeeded him. Issik continued attacking the Rouran but died a year later in 553. His brother Muqan Qaghan finished the job and annihilated the Rouran in 555.

Images for kids

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  Asia in 400, showing the Rouran Khaganate, the Northern Wei, the Tuyuhun, Southern Liang, Later Yan, Yueban and Northern Liang

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  Man from the Ruoran (Ruiruiguo 芮芮國) in The Gathering of Kings (王会图), circa 650 CE.

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  Gaochang was subjugated by the Rouran in 460

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  Epitaph of Yujiulü Furen (郁久闾伏仁), died on 29 November 586

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  Guardian warrior figurine from a tomb in Bulgan Province, Mongolia, 5th-6th c. AD

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  The Rouran Khaganate, c. 500

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  Northern Wei and Tuyuhun, c. 500

See also

In Spanish: Rouran para niños