Person

Emperor Taizu of Liao

872–926 · 10th century · Also known as Yelü Abaoji, Abaoji

Yelü Abaoji, Emperor Taizu of Liao, was the Khitan leader who founded the Liao dynasty. Chosen as khagan around 907, he broke with the custom of rotating leadership, proclaimed himself emperor in 916 and built a state combining steppe and Chinese institutions, including a Khitan script. He conquered the kingdom of Balhae in 926 and died on the way home.

Mentioned in 2 profiles

BalhaeMilitary, DeclineLiao dynastyFoundation, Socioeconomy, Governance, Summary

Mentioned in 3 state histories

BalhaeLiao dynastyDongdan

See also

Cite this entry
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Emperor Taizu of Liao. In The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/emperor-taizu-of-liao
MLA
“Emperor Taizu of Liao.” The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/emperor-taizu-of-liao. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Emperor Taizu of Liao.” The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/emperor-taizu-of-liao.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Emperor Taizu of Liao’, The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/emperor-taizu-of-liao (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random entry ↻