Helian Ding

Helian Ding
赫連定
Emperor of Hu Xia
Reign428[1]–431[2]
PredecessorHelian Chang
Bornunknown
DiedMay 13, 432?[2][3][4]
Full name
Era name and dates
Shèngguāng (勝光): 428[1]–431[2]
HouseHelian
DynastyHu Xia

Helian Ding (Chinese: 赫連定; died 432), nickname Zhifen (直獖), was the third and last emperor of the Xiongnu-led Chinese Hu Xia dynasty. He was a son of the founding emperor Helian Bobo (Emperor Wulie) and a younger brother of his predecessor Helian Chang. After Helian Chang was captured by rival Northern Wei's army in 428, Helian Ding took the throne himself and for several years tried to resist Northern Wei attacks, but by 430 he had lost nearly his entire territory. In 431, he attempted to head west to try to attack Northern Liang and seize its territory, but on the way, he was intercepted by Tuyuhun's khan Murong Mugui (慕容慕璝) and captured, ending Hu Xia. In 432, Murong Mugui turned him over to the Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei, who had him executed.

  1. ^ a b Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 121.
  2. ^ a b c Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 122.
  3. ^ Academia Sinica Chinese Western Calendar Converter.
  4. ^ May 13, 432 was the date when Murong Mugui delivered Helian Ding to Northern Wei, and Helian Ding was then executed. It is not clear from the description whether the execution occurred on the same day.