Top 10 insane emperors in ancient China

By Zhang Junmian
0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, September 2, 2011
Adjust font size:


  Liu Ziye 宋前废帝刘子业


Liu Zeye (449-465), the eldest son of Liu Jun, Emperor Xiaowu of Liu Song during the Southern and Northern Dynasties(420-589), took over the throne as Emperor Qianfei in 464 when he was 15 years old, and was assassinated one year later by his uncle Liu Yu, Prince of Xiangdong. He went down in history as one of the most notorious emperors for his absolute incompetence, murdering of many royal relatives and high-level officials, and especially his crazy and immoral sexual acts.


When Liu was still the crown princess, Emperor Xiaowu didn't like him and often thought of replacing Liu with his younger brother Liu Ziluan. After coming to the throne, Liu, out of the deep resent towards Emperor Xiaowu, immediately forced Liu Ziluan to commit suicide and killed another two children of Liu Ziluan's mother Consort Yin. The suspicious emperor also slaughtered all of the officials once prized by Emperor Xiaowu, and put his uncles under house arrest for fear that they would revolt against him. Meanwhile, he insulted and maltreated them in various inhuman ways.

Liu adored incest so much that he summoned his aunt Liu Yingmei into the palace to satisfy his sexual desires, and he then killed Yingmei's husband He Mai who couldn't stand the humiliation and conspired to overthrow him. Liu also kept overt incestuous relationship with his sister Liu Chuyu in the palace, When Chuyu complained it's unfair that Liu had so many concubines but she only had one husband, Liu selected several dozens of handsome men as her lovers.

What was more despicable: Liu ordered the consorts and princesses to have group sex publicly with his attendants in the palace and even forced the concubines to have sexual intercourse with animals. Those that dared to disobey were killed on site.

<  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  


Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation.
ChinaNews App Download
Print E-mail Bookmark and Share

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)

No comments.

Add your comments...

  • User Name Required
  • Your Comment
  • Enter the words you see:   
    Racist, abusive and off-topic comments may be removed by the moderator.
Send your storiesGet more from China.org.cnMobileRSSNewsletter