Qin and Han · King of Zichuan and Rebel

Liu Xian 劉賢

Liú Xián

First attested BC 164; died BC 154

Passages: 7
Chapters: 3
Histories: 2

Overview

Liu Xian was a king of Zichuan and Rebel.

Life and dates

Death

BC 154 三年
Suicide
Directly stated · Book of Han 6, passage 64
BC 154 孝景三年
Executed after the revolt
Directly stated · Book of Han 44, passage 234
executed 伏誅
Directly stated · Book of Han 44, passage 234

Attested activity

BC 154 三年
Directly stated · Book of Han 6, passage 57; Records of the Grand Historian 11, passage 24
BC 164 to BC 154 文帝十六年至孝景三年
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 44, passages 98, 234

Key source chapters

Career and standing

King of Zichuan 菑川王
Held
Directly stated · Book of Han 44, passage 191; Records of the Grand Historian 11, passage 24

Events and relationships

Besieged Linzi for three months and withdrew when Han troops arrived
Military · Besieging king
Directly stated · Book of Han 44, passages 212-213
Raised troops and marched west in the Revolt of the Seven Kingdoms
BC 154 孝景前三年 · Military · Rebel king
Directly stated · Book of Han 44, passage 101
Raised troops
BC 154 三年 · Military · Rebel leader
Directly stated · Book of Han 6, passage 57
Rebelled
BC 154 三年 · Military · Rebel leader
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 11, passage 24

References in the histories

Book of Han, Chapter 6Volume 5: Annals of Emperor Jing · 2 passages

吳王濞、膠西王卬、楚王戊、趙王遂、濟南王辟光、菑川王賢、膠東王雄渠皆舉兵反。 Kings Pi of Wu, Ang of Jiaoxi, Wu of Chu, Sui of Zhao, Bi Guang of Jinan, Xian of Zichuan, and Xiong Qu of Jiaodong all raised troops in rebellion.

膠西王卬、楚王戊、趙王遂、濟南王辟光、菑川王賢、膠東王雄渠皆自殺。 Kings Ang of Jiaoxi, Wu of Chu, Sui of Zhao, Bi Guang of Jinan, Xian of Zichuan, and Xiong Qu of Jiaodong all committed suicide.

Book of Han, Chapter 44Volume 35: Princes of Jing, Yan and Wu · 4 passages

發使遺諸侯書曰：「吳王劉濞敬問膠西王、膠東王、菑川王、濟南王、趙王、楚王、淮南王、衡山王、廬江王、故長沙王子：幸教！ His messengers carried a manifesto: “The king of Wu Liu Bi greets the kings of Jiaoxi, Jiaodong, Zichuan, Jinan, Zhao, Chu, Huainan, Hengshan, Lujiang, and the heir of old Changsha—may you instruct me!

今乃與楚王戊、趙王遂、膠西王卬、濟南王辟光、菑川王賢、膠東王雄渠約從謀反，為逆無道，起兵以危宗廟，賊殺大臣及漢使者，迫劫萬民，伐殺無罪，燒殘民家，掘其丘壟，甚為虐暴。 Now he has allied with Liu Wu of Chu, Liu Sui of Zhao, Liu Ang of Jiaoxi, Liu Piguang of Jinan, Liu Xian of Zichuan, and Liu Xiongqu of Jiaodong to plot rebellion. These lawless traitors menace the temples, murder ministers and envoys, coerce the people, kill the innocent, burn their homes, and dig open their graves. Their cruelty is monstrous.

漢兵至，膠西、膠東、菑川王各引兵歸國。 Imperial columns approached; the kings of Jiaoxi, Jiaodong, and Zichuan peeled off and raced for home.

膠東、菑川、濟南王皆伏誅。 Jiaodong, Zichuan, and Jinan were put to the sword.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 11Annals of the Xiaojing Emperor · 1 passage

吳王濞、楚王戊、趙王遂、膠西王卬、濟南王辟光、菑川王賢、膠東王雄渠反，發兵西鄉。 The Kings Bi of Wu, Wu of Chu, Sui of Zhao, Ang of Jiaoxi, Piguang of Jinan, Xian of Zichuan, and Xiongqu of Jiaodong rebelled, raised armies, and marched west.