Chanyu who raised Kunmo (單于)

Overview

The translated histories identify Chanyu who raised Kunmo as a ruler. This record brings together 4 passages from 1 chapter across 1 history, with names, dates, relationships, offices, and events preserved as source-backed claims.

Names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Personal	Chanyu who raised Kunmo	單于
Title	chanyu	單于

Identity

Historicity: Historical
Identification: Title only
Sex: Uncertain

Roles

Ruler

Life and dates

Death

Statement: died; afterward Kunmo refused Xiongnu overlordship
Explicit · hanshu:071:s0066

Attested activity

Source Date: Text: 單于愛養之 · Western Interval: Start: BC 170 · End: BC 140
Explicit · hanshu:071:s0060

Events and relationships

Kind: political · Role: ruler · Action: raised-kunmo · Other Person Id: Kunmo (昆莫)
Explicit · hanshu:071:s0060, hanshu:071:s0061

References in the histories

Open any source group to read the Chinese and English passage in context.

Book of Han, Chapter 71Volume 61: Zhang Qian and Li Guangli · 4 passages

Open chapter

子昆莫新生，傅父布就翕侯抱亡置草中，為求食，還，見狼乳之，又烏銜肉翔其旁，以為神，遂持歸匈奴，單于愛養之。 The infant Kunmo was carried off by his nurse-father Bu-jiu the Xihou, hidden in the grass while food was sought; returning, the man found a wolf nursing the child and crows dropping meat nearby. Convinced the boy was spirit-touched, he brought him to the chanyu, who reared him with favor.

及壯，以其父民眾與昆莫，使將兵，數有功。 When the boy came of age, the chanyu restored his father's tribesmen to him, gave him a command, and he won repeated distinction.

昆莫既健，自請單于報父怨，遂西攻破大月氏。 Once Kunmo grew strong he begged leave to avenge his father; marching west, he crushed the Greater Yuezhi.

昆莫略其眾，因留居，兵稍強，會單于死，不肯復朝事匈奴。 Kunmo absorbed their warriors, stayed put, and grew in strength; when the chanyu died he refused ever again to acknowledge Xiongnu overlordship.