The Xin Dynasty (Chinese: 新朝; pinyin: Xīn Cháo; Wade–Giles: Hsin Ch'ao; literally "New Dynasty") was a Chinese dynasty (although strictly speaking it had only one emperor) which lasted from AD 9 to 23. It followed the Western Han Dynasty and preceded the Eastern Han Dynasty.
The sole emperor of the Xin Dynasty, Wang Mang (王莽), was the nephew of Grand Empress Dowager Wang Zhengjun. After the death of her step-grandson Emperor Ai in 1 BC, Wang Mang rose to power. After several years of cultivating a personality cult, he finally proclaimed himself emperor in AD 9. However, while a creative scholar and politician, he was an incompetent ruler, and his capital Chang'an was besieged by peasant rebels in AD 23. He died in the siege, and the Han Dynasty was restored by descendants of the former imperial clan.
Personal name Portrait Period of reign Era names (年號) and range of reign
Wang Mang 9–23
Shijianguo (始建國 Shǐ Jìan Guǒ, "Start to establish a nation") 9–13
Tianfeng (天鳳 Tīan Fēng, "Heavenly Feng") 14–19
Dihuang (地皇 Dì Huáng, "Earthly Emperor") 20–23
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