Three Kingdoms and Six Dynasties · Ruler

Liu Yuanhai 劉元海

Attested AD 308

Passages: 10
Chapters: 1
Histories: 1

Overview

Liu Yuanhai was a ruler.

Life and dates

Attested activity

AD 308 永嘉二年，元海僭即皇帝位
Dated from the passage context · Book of Jin 101, passage 195

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Kin of Liu He (劉和)
imperial clansman 宗室
Strongly inferred · Book of Jin 101, passage 196
Parent of Liu Yu (劉裕)
son 子
Directly stated · Book of Jin 101, passage 204
Parent of Liu Long (劉隆)
son 子
Directly stated · Book of Jin 101, passage 204
Parent of Liu Cong (劉聰)
son 子
Directly stated · Book of Jin 101, passage 205

Career and standing

Emperor 皇帝
AD 308 永嘉二年
Directly stated · Book of Jin 101, passage 195

Places and affiliations

At Pingyang 平陽 · Relation Capital moved to
Directly stated · Book of Jin 101, passage 201

Events and relationships

Sent Liu Yao to take Taiyuan etc
Military · Commander · With Liu Yao (劉曜)
Directly stated · Book of Jin 101, passage 183

References in the histories

Search passages

History

10 passages

Book of Jin, Chapter 101Volume 101 Records 1: Liu Yuanhai and Liu Xuan · 10 passages

元海遣其建武將軍劉曜寇太原、泫氏、屯留、長子、中都，皆陷之。 Liu Yuan sent Liu Yao to storm Taiyuan, Xuan, Tunliu, Changzi, and Zhongdu—all fell.

元海遣其武牙將軍劉欽等六軍距瑜等，四戰，瑜皆敗，欽振旅而歸。 Liu Yuan sent Liu Qin with six hosts; after four battles Jin fled and Liu Qin marched home in triumph.

其侍中劉殷、王育進諫元海曰：「殿下自起兵以來，漸已一周，而顓守偏方，王威未震。 Liu Yin and Wang Yu urged him: "A year has passed and you still hug one corner—your majesty has not yet thundered abroad.

元海悅曰：「此孤心也。」 Liu Yuan cried, "That is my own mind too."

元海遂入都蒲子，河東、平陽屬縣壘壁盡降。 He moved the capital to Puzi; every fort in Hedong and Pingyang opened its gates.

時汲桑起兵趙魏，上郡四部鮮卑陸逐延、氏酋大單于征、東萊王彌及石勒等並相次降之，元海悉署其官爵， Ji Sang rose in Zhao-Wei; Xianbei, Di, Wang Mi, and Shi Le came over in turn; Liu Yuan handed each a title.

永嘉二年，元海僭即皇帝位，大赦境內，改元永鳳。 In the second year of Yongjia, Liu Yuan declared himself emperor, amnestied the realm, and took the era name Yongfeng.

太史令宣于修之言於元海曰：「陛下雖龍興鳳翔。 The court astrologer Xianyu Xiuzhi said, "Though you rise like dragon and phoenix,

得者因增「泉海光」三字，元海以為己瑞，大赦境內，改年河瑞。 The finder then added the three words "Spring Sea Radiance"; Liu Yuan took it as his own omen, declared a general amnesty within his territory, and changed the era name to Herui.

夜襲，聰軍大敗而還，元海素服迎師。 Yuan Yan raided by night and shattered Liu Cong's column; Liu Yuan met the beaten army in mourning white.