China: Emperor Gaozu (r.206-195 BCE), founder and first ruler of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BCE-9 CE).

Emperor Gao (256 BCE or 247 BCE – 1 June 195 BCE), commonly known within China by his temple name Gaozu (Wade-Giles: Kao Tsu), personal name Liu Bang, was the first emperor of the Han Dynasty, ruling over China from 202 BCE to 195 BCE. Liu was one of the few dynastic founders in Chinese history who emerged from the peasant class (another major example being Zhu Yuanzhang of the Ming Dynasty).

In the early stage of his rise to prominence, Liu was addressed as 'Duke of Pei', referring to his hometown of Pei County. He was also granted the title of 'King of Han' by Xiang Yu, when the latter split the former Qin empire into the Eighteen Kingdoms. Liu was known by this title before becoming Emperor of China.

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