Emperor Xuanwu of Northern Wei

Emperor Xuanwu of Northern Wei
北魏宣武帝
Emperor of Northern Wei
ReignMay 7, 499 – February 12, 515
PredecessorEmperor Xiaowen
SuccessorEmperor Xiaoming
Born483
DiedFebruary 12, 515
Burial
Jing Mausoleum (景陵)
Names
Family name: Initially Tuòbá (拓拔), later Yuán (元, changed 496);
Given name: Kè (恪)
Era dates
  • Jǐngmíng (景明) 500–503
  • Zhèngshǐ (正始) 504–508
  • Yǒngpíng (永平) 508–512
  • Yánchāng (延昌) 512–515
Posthumous name
Emperor Xuanwu (宣武皇帝, lit. "Responsible and Martial")
Temple name
Shizong (世宗)
HouseYuan (Tuoba)
DynastyNorthern Wei
FatherEmperor Xiaowen
MotherEmpress Wenzhao

Emperor Xuanwu of Northern Wei (May or June 483[1] – February 12, 515[2]) was an emperor of the Xianbei-led Chinese Northern Wei dynasty (499-515).[3] He was born Tuoba Ke, but later changed his surname so that he became Yuan Ke. During Emperor Xuanwu's reign, Northern Wei appeared, outwardly, to be at its prime, but there was much political infighting and corruption, particularly by Emperor Xuanwu's uncle Gao Zhao.

Emperor Xuanwu was an avid Buddhist and often personally lectured on the Buddhist sutras. During his reign, Buddhism effectively[clarification needed] became the state religion.

  1. ^ According to Emperor Xuanwu's biography in Book of Wei, he was born in the leap 4th month of the 7th year of the Taihe era of Emperor Xiaowen's reign. This corresponds to 23 May to 20 June 483 on the Julian calendar. (太和七年閏四月, 生帝於平城宮。) Wei Shu, vol.08
  2. ^ According to Emperor Xuanwu's biography in Book of Wei, he died on the dingsi day of the 1st month of the 4th year of the Yanchang era of his reign. This corresponds to 12 Feb 515 on the Julian calendar. ([延昌四年春正月]丁巳,崩於式乾殿...] Wei Shu, vol. 08
  3. ^ Grousset, Rene (1970). The Empire of the Steppes. Rutgers University Press. pp. 65. ISBN 0-8135-1304-9.