| Era | Chu-Han Contention period (206-202 BCE) |
| Name | Xiang Yu |
| Title | Warlord and military leader |
| Legacy | Brilliant but ruthless military commander who left a lasting impact on Chinese history |
| Opponents | |
| Allegiances | Chu Kingdom • Chu-Han Contention |
| Notable achievements | Forged an initial alliance with Liu Bang • Emerged as the dominant force in the power struggle • Established the Chu Kingdom in southern China • Came close to preventing the rise of the Han Dynasty |
Xiang Yu (232 BC - 202 BC) was a prominent warlord and military leader during the turbulent Chu–Han Contention period in ancient China following the collapse of the Qin Dynasty. Initially allied with the upstart Liu Bang, Xiang Yu's superior military skills and strategic brilliance allowed him to become the dominant force in the power struggle, briefly establishing his own Chu Kingdom in southern China before being defeated by Liu Bang's nascent Han Dynasty.
Born in the Chu Kingdom during the Warring States period, Xiang Yu came from a noble Chu family. As a young man, he distinguished himself as an exceptional military commander, known for his innovative tactics and ferocious battlefield exploits.
When the Qin Dynasty fell in 206 BC, Xiang Yu quickly emerged as one of the most powerful warlords vying for control of the former Qin Empire's territories. He forged an alliance with the peasant-born upstart Liu Bang, and together they defeated the last Qin ruler, Ziying.
With the Qin Dynasty destroyed, Xiang Yu and Liu Bang found themselves pitted against each other in a protracted civil war known as the Chu-Han Contention. Xiang Yu's military genius and the strength of his Chu forces initially gave him the upper hand. In 203 BC, he famously defeated Liu Bang's armies at the Battle of Gaixia, forcing Liu to flee.
However, Xiang Yu's overconfidence and brutality ultimately proved his undoing. After the victory at Gaixia, he became increasingly paranoid and distrustful, executing many of his own generals and allies. This allowed Liu Bang to regroup and rebuild his forces, eventually turning the tables on Xiang Yu.
In 202 BC, Liu Bang's armies decisively defeated Xiang Yu's Chu forces at the Battle of Hongmen. Cornered and surrounded, Xiang Yu committed suicide rather than be captured.
During the height of the Chu-Han Contention, Xiang Yu was able to establish his own independent Chu Kingdom in southern China, centered around the ancient Chu capital of Pengcheng. For a brief period, this powerful southern state rivaled the nascent Han Dynasty of Liu Bang in the north.
Xiang Yu ruled the Chu Kingdom with an iron fist, maintaining control through military force and a network of loyal generals. He expanded Chu's territory and wealth, but his reign was marked by frequent conflict with the growing Han state.
Though ultimately defeated by Liu Bang, Xiang Yu's military prowess, strategic brilliance, and sheer force of will made him one of the most legendary and influential warlords in Chinese history. His fierce resistance to the rise of the Han Dynasty nearly prevented the establishment of what would become the longest-ruling imperial house in Chinese history.
Xiang Yu's legacy as a brilliant but ruthless military commander has endured. He is remembered as a tragic figure who came tantalizingly close to unifying China under his own rule, only to be undone by his own hubris and paranoia. Xiang Yu's story continues to captivate historians and popular audiences alike as a pivotal episode in the tumultuous transition from the Qin to the Han.
