Huyandi

Huyandi
Huyandi Chanyu
Domain and influence of the Eastern Huns
Reignc. 85–68 BC
PredecessorHulugu Chanyu
SuccessorXulüquanqu Chanyu
DynastyModu Chanyu
FatherHulugu Chanyu
MotherZhuanqu Yanzhi

Huyandi (Chinese: 壺衍鞮) was the son and successor of Hulugu Chanyu. He ruled as the Chanyu of the Xiongnu Empire from 85 to 68 BC.[1]

Huyandi was not first in the line of succession and only became chanyu, due to a plot by his mother Zhuanqu Yanzhi and the Han defector Wei Lü. He came to power in 85 BC.[2]

In 71 BC, Chang Hui and two other generals led a force of 100,000 to aid the Wusun against the Xiongnu. The majority of the forces failed to find any Xiongnu, but Chang Hui successfully aided the Wusun in defeating a Xiongnu invasion. However, the Xiongnu came back in winter and took many captives. On the way back across the Altai Mountains, the Xiongnu suffered heavy casualties from a sudden blizzard, devastating their army. The next year the Xiongnu were attacked on all sides by Wusun, Wuhuan, and the Han. One-third of all Xiongnu died.[3]

Huyandi died in 68 BC and was succeeded by his brother, Xulüquanqu.[1]

  1. ^ a b Loewe 2000, p. 629.
  2. ^ Loewe 2000, p. 178.
  3. ^ Whiting 2002, p. 174.