Wang Mang

(born 45 &BC;, China—died Oct. 6, &AD; 23, Chang'an) Founder of the short-lived Xin dynasty (&AD; 9–25), an interlude between the two halves of the Han dynasty in China. Wang's family was well connected to the Han imperial family, and in 8 &BC; Wang was appointed regent, only to lose the position when the emperor died. When the new emperor died in 1 &BC;, Wang was reappointed regent and married his daughter to the subsequent emperor, Ping, who died in &AD; 6.

Wang picked the youngest of more than 50 eligible heirs to follow Ping and was named acting emperor. In &AD; 9 he ascended the throne and proclaimed the Xin dynasty. His dynasty might have endured had the Huang He (Yellow River) not changed course twice before &AD; 11, causing massive devastation and attendant famines, epidemics, and social unrest. Peasants banded together in ever larger units. In &AD; 23 rebel forces set the capital, Chang'an (modern Xi'an), on fire, forced their way into the palace, and killed him.