The Xiongnu, also known as the Asiatic Huns, were one of the nomadic peoples of Ancient Central Asia. They're thought to have descended from various Turkic peoples known as Xianyun, Xunyu and Hongyu, yet all the knowledge we have come from Chinese sources written centuries later. However, as time passed, the name Xiongnu was applied to the Xiongnu’s subjects too, including Turkics, Mongolics, Tokharians, Iranics, etc.

The exact foundation year of the Xiongnu Empire is unknown, but the earliest Chinese records about them date back to 4th-3rd centuries BC.

Since China at that time was divided between many warring states like Qin, Zhao, Yan, Qi, Lu, Wei, Han and Chu, the Xiongnu easily raided Northern China throughout 4th and 3rd centuries BC. Their raids reached it's zenith during the 3rd century BC, when the Qin ruler Qin Shi Huangdi finally decided to build a Great Wall to stop those raids (the Great Wall was already in existence as small independent fortifications dating back to the Warring States Period; but Qin Shi Huangdi united these to form a single body)

The earliest known Xiongnu ruler was Touman, who reigned between 220 BC and 209 BC. During his reign, he united the nomadic tribes living in Mongolia and he invaded Northern China. With those newly-acquired pastures, the Xiongnu economy prospered, partly due to the fact that the nomadic economy was greatly dependent on grassy plains.... More • http://www.allempire ... _Nu_Empire View • Books • Images • Videos • Search Related • Empires • Asia • Hellenistic Age • Huns • Mongols • Roman Age • All Events